So, you (or your boss) have decided to start a company Facebook page\/Twitter stream\/Pinterest board\/LinkedIn Group.\u00a0 What are you waiting for – jump in and start putting stuff out there, right?<\/p>\n
Hold that tweet.\u00a0 Do NOT \u201clike\u201d that post.\u00a0 And put down that pin.\u00a0 Read this.\u00a0 And save yourself from the most common mistakes that businesses make in social media.<\/p>\n
1. Using Social Media as a Bullhorn<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Have you ever been to a networking event with \u201cthat guy\u201d?\u00a0 You know, the one who interrupts the nice conversation you are having with interesting people to say, \u201cHEY LISTEN TO ME AND CHECK OUT MY BUSINESS\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n
He\u2019s pretty annoying, huh?<\/em><\/p>\n
Treat social media the same as any other social event. \u00a0Don\u2019t be that guy.\u00a0 Think about what interests your audience.\u00a0 Engage them in conversations.\u00a0 Don\u2019t just talk about yourself. And please don\u2019t shout.<\/em><\/p>\n
2. Fire, Ready, Aim<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Maybe you know enough to not fall victim to Mistake #1.\u00a0 You share relevant, useful information with your audience.\u00a0 You answer your follower\u2019s questions.\u00a0 You resist the urge to talk about your business 100% of the time.\u00a0 You even sound like a real person in your posts! Does this mean you are doing the best thing for your business?<\/em><\/p>\n
Not necessarily.<\/em><\/p>\n
Have you asked yourself why you are spending time on social media?\u00a0 It is important to set reasonable goals and create a strategic social media plan.\u00a0 What are your overall business objectives and how will social media help you reach them?\u00a0 Your strategy should be different if your goal is to generate leads or to improve customer service.\u00a0 The audience is important, but don\u2019t forget to think about what is best for your business.<\/em><\/p>\n
3. Expecting Instant Results<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Unfortunately, social media is not a fast solution.\u00a0 Sure, you can buy fans or subscribe to an algorithm that will give you 8,497 followers in 68 seconds.\u00a0 But were you really trying to talk to a parrot trainer in Bahrain?<\/em><\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t think so.<\/em><\/p>\n
The truth is, social media is hard work.\u00a0 There are no magic tricks.\u00a0 It\u2019s about building relationships.\u00a0 And just like building relationships in the real world, it takes time and effort.\u00a0 You have to get to know your audience and talk to them on a regular basis.\u00a0 You need to establish yourself as an expert, resource, or friend (or whoever it is you are trying to be).\u00a0 But most of all, you need patience.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
If you only remember one thing, remember that you are talking with real people.\u00a0 Social media is great.\u00a0 Many businesses have used it to reach new fans and to forge deeper connections with their most loyal customers.<\/p>\n