Social Dos and Don’ts
Developing a social media presence is one of the most common online marketing tactics for small businesses. It’s a logical first step to increase awareness and develop your company’s brand.
But, what if the social media practices you use are actually hurting your business?
This comprehensive list of social media guidelines will set you on the path for success!
Social DOs:
1. Plan
Define your goals and objectives. What do you hope to accomplish from your social media campaign? Start by focusing on a single plan of action and evaluate from there.
2. Post Regularly
Posting regular updates helps keep your business relevant and in the eye of the consumer. They may not engage with you frequently, but posting often will remind them of what you offer.
3. Post Valuable Content
This may be easier said than done, but with a good team of writers, you’ll see higher engagement. People want to read well-written information that’s relevant. Know who your primary audience is and address their needs.
4. Engage with Followers
Engaging with followers will provide them with a positive experience. You’ll gain advocates for your business because they’re satisfied with your interactions. Therefore, it’s important to communicate with followers on your social media channels.
Answer and ask questions and respond to any feedback you get. You can learn a lot from what people say about your business and can use that knowledge to do better. Use this information to your advantage.
5. Link Back
This is important for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). [provide a link to SEO blog post]. If your followers want to connect with you through your other channels, provide visible links for them.
Social DON’Ts:
1. Sending Spam
This should go without saying. All small businesses today should be aware of Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). Spam includes posting on irrelevant pages, irrelevant links, and sending direct or email messages without consent.
Not only will this annoy people and damage your brand’s reputation, but your business could be fined according to CASL. Post smartly.
2. Overposting
While it is important to post regularly to maintain consumer awareness, overposting can be just as harmful as not posting enough. Similar to spamming, consumers may be annoyed if they’re bombarded with posts from your business. Even if they are following your page.
3. Hashtag Everything
Hashtags are a great way to connect with people not following your brand but are interested in what you offer. You can use hashtags to categorize and inform others about what your company offers. You can also create your own hashtags specific to your business.
That being said, don’t post irrelevant hashtags that are unrelated to your business. You also shouldn’t overuse hashtags. This will give the impression that you are spamming and will decrease interactions.
4. Ignore Followers
As previously stated, it’s important to engage with your businesses followers and give them a positive experience. Respond to comments and reviews. If a customer leaves a complaint, address it as soon as possible. Determine how to resolve the issue. With social media, word of mouth can travel faster than ever.
Follow us on Twitter or like our Facebook Page to make sure you don’t miss the next part in our social media series! For more information about social media campaigns, and how they benefit your business, reach out to us through our contact form.