4 Common Mistakes Your Business Might Be Making on Social Media
Social media platforms are great for establishing a business presence and for building audience relationships; however, even though getting on social media seems easy-peasy, it’s not always so easy to avoid common mistakes. Learn what some of those are and the quick-fixes to get back on track.
You Don’t Know Your Audience
You know who you are as a brand, so you put out content that relates to you, to your message…and the fish aren’t biting. What’s going on here?
Why It Happens
A lot of brands only know themselves, not their audiences. Social media marketing works if it’s audience driven. If you focus on your brand and your content without relating it to your audience, this kind of marketing is going to fall flat.
The Fix
You can quickly fix the problem by conducting a detailed audience-analysis. Figure out who your brand’s target audience is, what they want, what they believe in, what their issues are, etc. Next, take your brand’s focus and use it to solve your audience’s problems. Once your audience realizes you’re putting them first, they will come.
You’re Not on the Right Platform(s) for Your Business
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube…these are all big social media sites, right? You’ve got a profile on all of them, but there isn’t any increased traffic. What gives?
Why It Happens
Each social platform has its own unique audience and function. Far too often, businesses either zero in on one platform or try to be present on all of them, which isn’t strategic at all.
The Fix
Address the issue by vetting the various platforms to see where your audience is spending their time and then focus your energies on reaching them through those vehicles. For example, if you’re not trying to connect with millennials, you’re spinning your wheels by trying to hang on Snapchat.
Your Posts’ Timings and Quantities are All Over the Place
You’re posting a ton of content; you’re posting several times a week on several days. It’s not always the same day or at the same time, but no biggie, right? So, why isn’t business booming?
Why It Happens
There are actually two no-no’s happening in this mistake scenario. One is that lots of businesses think more is better, and while that may be true of sales, it isn’t true of social media posts.
Two is that business owners and operators get busy and that Tuesday post slips through the cracks and goes out on a Wednesday some weeks and on a Monday others. The problem with lack of consistency is that it throws off your followers.
The Fix
Fix both problems in one swoop with a content calendar. Create a calendar of the content you’re going to post that month (work as far in advance as you want). Do a little research to know what day(s) and time(s) your audience is most likely to catch your content.
You’re a One-Way Street with No Call to Action
You’re posting consistent, audience-centric content, but your conversion rates are junk. “Why,” you cry to whatever cloud Joe Pulizzi is riding on, “why have you forsaken me?”
Why It Happens
Relax, Job. Many businesses have no problems creating audience-centric content, but they fail to drive it home.
The Fix
Social media is all about making connections, which means you have to engage with your audience. Comment and respond in a timely fashion to folks on your social media sites. Post a call to action at the end of your content. Drive your audience to your website, and get ready to see results.
Want more insight on how to avoid common mistakes on social media and to see your business excel? Contact The Storyteller Agency to learn more about our creative content services and what we can do to boost your business on social media.
