4 Social Media Blunders Your Brand Needs to Avoid
Social media has quickly become one of the most powerful tools in a business’s marketing arsenal. It provides brands with an unprecedented opportunity to connect with their customers and build relationships. With platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, customers can learn about your products and services in a way that was not possible before. However, with this increased visibility comes increased responsibility, and brands can easily make mistakes that damage their reputation and turn customers away.
As a business owner striving to flourish in an oversaturated landscape, it’s important to be aware of the potential pitfalls of social media and to take steps to avoid them. With that in mind, here are the common blunders businesses make on social media you should steer clear of moving forward.
Breaking Down the Usual Social Media Blunders to Avoid
Mistake #1: Jumping on the Wrong Trends
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, it's important to do your research and make sure you're using the most up-to-date hashtags and topics. If you seize on the wrong trends, it tends to result in irrelevant memes, hashtags, and content that can be a major turn-off for customers and can make your brand look out of touch.
On that note, make sure you do your research before jumping the bandwagon and only participate in trends that make sense for your brand. After all, posting for the sake of going viral often lacks substance and will not do anything to resonate with your followers, so always prioritise quality and relevance before anything else.
Mistake #2: Joining the Wrong Conversations
When you're managing a brand's social media presence, it's essential to be aware of the conversations that are happening online—both within your industry and outside of it. However, it's not enough to just join any old conversation—you need to be strategic about the conversations you choose to engage in.
It's easy to get caught up in the moment and jump into conversations that are happening on social media without thinking about the implications. But before you start chiming in, take a step back and assess the dialogue. If you're not careful, you could end up joining a negative conversation that can hurt your brand's integrity and customer relationships along the way.
The best way to avoid joining meaningless or hurtful social chatter is to take a strategic approach to the conversations you engage in, so remember to consider the context of the discussions, weigh the potential risks, and ensure that you always have something valuable to add to the table.
Mistake #3: Using News to Promote Your Brand, or Avoiding Them Altogether
There's a fine line to walk when it comes to using the news to promote your brand. On the one hand, you don't want to seem like you're exploiting a tragic or sensitive story for your own gain. On the other hand, if you avoid all mention of the news altogether, you risk coming across as out of touch or out of step with what's happening in the world.
The key is to strike a balance. Use news stories as a way to connect with your audience and show that you're tuned in to what's going on in their lives. But be sure to do so in a way that is respectful and sensitive to the gravity of the situation.
Mistake #4: Robot Posting, or Lacking a Personal Touch in Your Social Activities
When it comes to social media, one of the cardinal sins you can commit is to post like a robot. In other words, don’t just regurgitate the same old thing repeatedly. That’s boring, and it’s a surefire way to turn off your followers.
Instead, try to be personal and engaging. Write as you would speak, and don’t be afraid to show some personality. Share stories and photos that give your followers a glimpse into your life, and let them get to know the real you. Doing so will not only make your social media presence more engaging, but it will also make you more relatable and likable.
The Bottom Line: The Power of Social Media in Shaping Your Brand Image
In today's digital age, consumers are increasingly turning to social media to learn about new products and services, and to voice their opinions about the brands they love (and hate). As a business owner, it's vital to understand the role that social media plays in shaping your brand's image.
By learning the common mistakes that brands make when posting on social media, you can avoid making them yourself and ensure that your social media presence is positive and effective.
If you're not sure where to start, our team at Flat Rate Social Media can help. We offer affordable, customised social media marketing for small businesses designed to help you create a more substantial online presence. Contact us today to learn more!
