5 of the most common mistakes businesses make with their social media, and how to avoid them…
This week I had a 20 minute spot on social media at a Lancaster business growth event. It can be hard to know how to pitch a short presentation so I came up with some of the most common mistakes business make in social media, and how to avoid them, as it gets the message over equally to converts and to those still cautious.
I had some great feedback afterwards, so I thought I’d share some of it.
So, here are 5 of the most common msitakes..
The no.1 most common mistake, without a doubt is
No strategy.
The following questions should be asked for every new initiative in your business, including any social media use.
- Why are you doing it?
- Who?
- What?
- Where?
- When? and
- How?
2. Thinking its free marketing
- To do it well involves time
- Time = money
- To not do it well is just a waste
Whether you outsource your social media, or do it in house, it involves someone’s time and that must be costed in.
3. Giving it to the tea boy
Not understanding that this is the voice of your company and it must sit solidly in your company’s marketing strategy.
I know well established companies that give their social media to the trainee. I get the logic… young people are better at this, but would you give total responsibility of your press releases to them? As business owners, you need to know what is being said by you and about you.
4. This doesn’t work!!
Thinking your business is different.. It’s not!
- It takes time, 3 to 12 months to really get going. Because, It’s all about…RELATIONSHIPS
- It’s not magic! But it’s a great set of tools for building a wide range of relationships
Social media platforms are just the tools. They work for business, but it isn’t magic. It takes time and effort. So if it doesn’t work for yours then it’s time to revisit your strategy.
5. Out of Hours tweeting
Never, ever, ever, go on after a glass or 2!
…because that isn’t confidence that you’re feeling, and whilst in the morning you can delete those witty comments, that seemed brilliant the night before, they have still been seen by your customers and competitors!
That ‘s just a handful and I’d really like to hear your top tips.