Forrester Says Facebook Marketing is Dying, But Here's Why They're Wrong

Facebook has be heralded as one of the greatest marketing tools ever conceived. It draws businesses from the size of your local Mom & Pop store to those the size of box giants closer to the customer for an experience the enlightens both parties.

But has Facebook reached its limit? Is the virile social media marketing atmosphere that businesses have grown to rely upon for their success dried up?

Some experts, such as Forrester analyst Nate Elliot, will tell you that Facebook is ready to crumble. Social media in and of itself is ready to fall. What businesses experienced were but a fleeting glimmer of some magnificently cruel and coincidental joke.

Frankly, we at Social Media Wizard disagree.

Let's explore why Nate Elliot and people like him are as wrong as people whom state that the sky is purple, – because they're merely looking through the wrong color of lense.

The Root of the Problem

To understand why so many people are saying that social media marketing on Facebook is dead, there's a few things you need to examine first.

Just last week, Facebook announced that purely promotional content will see less real estate in News Feeds.

Types like Forrester have exclaimed that this is the end of social media marketing on Facebook as we know it.

He's dead wrong, but let's examine why in a minute.

If you read through some of the reports from Forrester, you'll see piles of “data” that say fewer and fewer people are interacting with brands on social media. They're nonresponsive, and many people seem to refrain from doing the little things like liking or commenting.

The naysayers are wrong yet again, particularly because they've made plenty of room for error.

What's Really Going on With Facebook Marketing?

The truth of the matter is that Facebook and its userbase are as strong as ever. They're even more receptive to communications from their favorite brands and names, at least when those groups communicate with them correctly.

Let's reexamine what the “big change” that caused Elliot to make those statements really meant.

Nowhere is it stated that Facebook will be punishing all brands, nor will it be hiding posts from Pages that interact with their users. Facebook is merely cracking down on content that every smart marketer already recognizes as bad.

Facebook wants to get rid of the overly promotional messages because it degrades the general user experience. That's it.

If you're using Facebook right, then you've got nothing to worry about.

Now, let's take a look at all that statistical data that Forrester has been throwing around. The data itself is likely fine, especially when you get reasonable results that say most followers view a brand's emails, visit their website, or visit the store's physical location.

The problem is the interpretation.

These statistics could be the result of social media marketing failing, or social media marketing being used in the way it should. The fact that social media interaction is on the lower end, but not at the bottom, points to the latter happening.

Ensuring Social Media Stays Successful

There are a plethora of things you can do right when it comes to social media. Understanding your audience, sending the right messages, and refraining from actions that will count as social media blunders are among the best things you can do.

Anyone who says social media is a dying marketing platform is either doing their marketing incorrectly, trying to trick you, or just plain wrong.

To ensure that you have all your bases covered when it comes to social media marketing, start by understanding why social media is such a powerful marketing tool. We've covered the topic comprehensively, and we still think there's more to learn pertaining to social media even after you've read that.

When youv'e done that, follow Social Media Wizard to get the latest updates and dialogue on social media.

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.