The 5 Most Common Mistakes in Social Media

 

Social media doesn't work for me." In the business world, this is a common complaint from CEOs and marketers. The fact of the matter is that social media works, although it may not work for you. Social media mistakes

Social media has changed the landscape of our communication. Since its inception, it has evolved into a myriad of platforms. This has created ample opportunities for marketers and business owners. However, it can also result in frustration for someone who doesn't have the right social media strategy in place.

If you have ever doubted the efficiency of social media, you need to figure out exactly why it's not working for you. In this article, you will discover:

How to increase ROI without pitching your products on social media

How to create a social media regime that makes sustainable traffic over the long-term

Why you need to know "who" your audience is before you figure out "where" they are hanging out

How to create valuable content that appeals to the goals and desires of your fans

Proven strategies to optimize your social media content for lead generation

Social Media Mistake #1 - The Social Dynamic of Social Media

Are you aware that your social media followers are most likely not your buyers? Although social media can be leveraged to convert fans into customers, it shouldn't be used as a "pitching platform." The end-state goal of any marketing sequence is to generate revenue. However, you need to understand the buyer's journey doesn't take place for one tweet.

If you're constantly posting about your offers, don't expect a massive return on your investment. Far too often, marketers don't understand the social dynamic of social media. Instead of selling your products, you should focus on creating thoughtful content valuable to your audience. Social media should be used as a medium to educate and instil trust in your followers. This will entice them to take the next step in your marketing sequence. Remember, people hate to be sold... but they love to buy.

Social Media Mistake #2 - You Think You Have A Strategy, But You Don't

If you're serious about building a social media strategy that works, you can't treat it like a hobby. Posting "whenever you feel like it" is not a strategy. Unfortunately, common sense is rarely common practice. Although most marketers know they should adhere to a social media regimen, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll do it.

Write down the specific platforms that you want to leverage in your business. Each week, create a document that lists the posting frequency of each social media website. Block off a few hours each week to schedule your posts. This regime will keep you accountable over the long term, which is the critical component to generating traffic.

Social Media Mistake #3 - You Don't Know Who Your Audience IsSocial media audience

If you're constantly posting about topics that are appealing to you, they may not resonate with your audience. Although you may be positioned as the expert, there's a good chance that your followers are novices. The benefits they are looking to glean might be different than what you initially thought. Your content needs to accommodate their level of knowledge, not yours.

So how do you figure out what they want? ENGAGE. Creating content is only the first step of the process. Interacting with your audience will help you speak directly to their goals, fears, and frustrations. There are various ways to engage on social media. Here are some strategies that have been proven to work:

Posting open-ended questions (Example: "What is your primary goal for this year?")

Interacting with your followers in the comment section.

Giving direct calls to action (Example: "Leave a comment below and let me know what your biggest obstacle is.").

Determining who your audience makes it much easier to find them on social media.

Social Media Mistake #4 - You Don't Know Where Your Audience Is

Using the right strategies on the wrong social media websites isn't produce results. Your audience is most likely hanging out on a handful of platforms. It's your job to figure out where they are before you start crafting your content.

Some social media websites are niche specific, while others are used on a much broader spectrum. If you are in the fitness niche, most of your content will be created through video and images. Specific channels such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook will allow you to optimize the visual appeal of your posts. If you are an Internet Marketer, your social media strategy will most likely involve more in-depth engagement. Platforms such as Twitter and Google Plus would be more conducive to your marketing sequences.

Social Media Mistake #5 - You Aren't Focused On The Right Metrics

If you want to get results, you need to track the social media metrics that matter. In general, your strategy should be focused on converting followers into leads.