5 Social Media Do’s and Don’ts

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to using social media for business, but that doesn’t mean you can post anything and expect instant success. Below are various do’s and don’ts you should consider when approaching your company’s social media.

Don’t: rely solely on text content

Do: incorporate visual content

Your followers don’t want to simply read walls of text. Visual content, such as images and video, should be incorporated organically into your social media schedule. Your followers will be more likely to engage with a diverse (and visual) social media presence.

Don’t: make your social 100% automated

Do: have someone managing social media

Since social media became such a prominent part of digital marketing, numerous automation tools have sprouted up, such as Hootsuite and SocialReport. While these tools make it much easier to manage multiple social media channels, you don’t want to just “set it and forget it” with your content. Accidents can happen, such as a post not going live or a link not working. That is why you need someone working behind the scenes to keep everything in line.

Don’t: treat social media as an afterthought

Do: consider social media as a vital marketing department

Social media isn’t just a side-hustle. It needs to be treated as an essential component of your company. Make sure you’re allocating an appropriate part of your marketing budget toward social media.

Don’t: simply self-promote

Do: mix informative content with your promotional content

Followers won’t follow you if you spend your entire time just self-promoting and talking about yourself. Instead, utilize your social media to provide informative content that positions you as a thought-leader in your industry. Follow the 80/20 rule: 80 percent of your content is informative while 20 percent is promotional.

Don’t: ignore followers

Do: engage with commenters

If your followers comment with your post, make sure to acknowledge and engage with them. This shows that you’re willing to listen to your clientele. This can put you above your competition by adding a personal touch to your brand.

Don’t: wing it

Do: plan ahead

Similar to the earlier point, your social media shouldn’t be treated as an after-thought. You want to give it the attention it deserves. That means dedicating part of your time to planning out your posts and overall social media marketing strategy. Social media, like with any aspect of business, shouldn’t be done on the fly.