The Biggest Mistakes Companies Makes With Social Media

There are basically 2 ways you can  use social media as a marketing platform for your business: a good way and a bad way. Now all the nuances in the middle are called  "learning curve" and everybody goes through this learning process. Here are some mistakes companies make with social media. 

A major mistake in social media is using tactics instead of strategies

This would be a big mistake simply because a tactics lacks intention and for getting any kind of sustainable attention on social media, you need to take the time to establish your intention carefully so you are sure to reach the right audience. Also when people see that you are not after number, They will tend to pay closer attention to what you have to say.

Using social media exclusively to put out fires

When companies hesitate to use social media , one main reason for that is that they are scarred  people will give them bad reviews and post negative comments. These Companies need to go through a major mindshift and realize that the best way to address situations where a custumers complains, is to engage with that customer and get to the root of the problem. The best scenario will be that the customer will be thrilled about the attention and will talk to others about the special treatment he received and that is a good thing. On the other hand Companies cannot expect to only use social media exclusively to put out fires…They will end up burning themselves at the end. The best way to keep an harmonuous relationship is to be present and aware at all time and engage as many people as possible. This should be your number one strategy.

A big mistake companies make on social media is to brag

Bragging is so unappealing and so unessesary when it comes to social media. This would actually have the opposite result then attracting people. The number one thing people want to see on social media is genuiness. Seriously this should really be applying commun sense here but we see it happening all the time…I usually go to somthing else so fast when I see people bragging...it’s like that company never even had a glimpse a chance to have me look at what they are all about… That's when we say; NEXT!

A commun mistake for companies and brands on social media is to only share other people content.

Companies should give their customers just as much original content as they can create. This shows that the company is staying in their game in terms of reserching what is best for their clients. Also when a company creates it’s own content this becomes the proof that real people with the intentions of servicing their customers are behind the big campaigns. It shows that they are current in the progress of their social media presence. People want to see that REAL people are here and care about their them.

Using social media to push products is a classic mistake and probably of the most annoying one…

Now this one doesn’t need  much explaination…We all know how frustrating it is to be approached by a sales person! I love human interaction but that’s different…I think I speak for the majority of people when I say that we perceive sales people as predators and our basic instincts towards predators is not to go towards them and wait to be eaten but rather run away fast! So the same instincts apply on social media. Don't be a predator!

Don’t expect  immediate results when starting on social media

If there is one thing you have to consider about using social media, it’s the fact that it will not give you immediate results. The action you are taking towards establishing a business and your  brand online now, are going to determine the success of well received marketing campaigns in the future. There are more mesuring tools being created now for companies to understand the results of their efforts towards establishing a presence on social media. Using these will help you gage your progress and continue your efforts...They WILL pay off but just not right away! The key here is to be more of a visionnary and once you make the decision to use social media, stick to your guns and trust your initial gut feeling.

And Most Importantly...Stay in the game long enough to see your well deserved efforts!