Social Media Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Social media mistakes are generally ones that can easily be avoided. A bit of proofreading, listening to your followers and learning how to appease them will go a long way towards making your social media campaigns exponentially more effective.

Visualizing the Details of Social Media

The following infographic should put into perspective some of the things that your audience really cares about. Pay careful attention to the differences between your general audience and the younger age group, as you might notice a few startling things.

Click to Enlarge

Avoid These Common Social Media Mistakes

Steering clear of these mistakes is as simple as making a blueprint for how your social media routine should go. Below is a sample routine that our professionals have agreed upon that mirrors elements that they've needed to focus on across the various social networks:

#1. Spellcheck

Use a spellchecker, such as those found in most word processing programs, before you submit anything.

More advanced proofreaders like After the Deadline can also be a huge help. Small businesses in particular will find this website useful.

#2. Don't Focus on Sales

Ensure that your social messages aren't outwardly trying to sell someone something. Nobody likes to be spammed with “Buy this now!” when they're trying to look for updates about things they really care about.

#3. Sincerity Comes First

In social media, people prefer to follow those whom are sincere. This means that you shouldn't try too hard to be funny or to try to post too often.

#4. Make a Routine

Regular posts at the right time will facilitate proper social media followings. Learn the time that gets you the best reaction, then consistently post new updates at that time.

#5. Do What Feels Natural

While social media marketing likely doesn't feel natural in the beginning, give it time and it will. You'll learn how you should post and how often you should post. Take it slowly, and just do your best not to step on anyone's toes.

Understanding What Your Customers Hate About Social Media

Avoiding the above mistakes when you send your social media messages is as simple as taking a few precautions. Do so, and you'll prevent upset, lost fans and a myriad of problems that even the giants like Walmart and McDonalds regularly have to contend with.