3 Social Media Blunders to Avoid

If you use the right strategies, social media has the power to drive tons of visitors to your website. But very often, webmasters and online marketers commit some grave mistakes that send their followers packing. For example, littering your Twitter feed and Pinterest boards with shamelessly self-promotional and sometimes even insensitive posts won't help your site or your brand. Overtly self-promotional strategies will only ruin your reputation and scare your followers off. Would you be interested in following a feed that is only about promotions?

 

Let's take a look at some social media mistakes that overly enthusiastic webmasters often commi:

1. You only talk about your own services and products

Of course, you are here to promote your stuff. That is the only reason you spend hours on Twitter and Facebook. There is absolutely nothing wrong with promoting your stuff. But every now and then you must also write about other people's products and services. The best part is that if you promote other people's stuff, they will also promote yours. On the other hand, if all of your status updates, pins, and tweets revolve around you or your brand, you will soon alienate your fan following.

 

Social media experts suggest that you follow the 80 - 20 rule to improve engagement with your potential customers over social media. What this means is that 80 percent of the stuff you post or share should address the problems of your customers. You can also share stuff they may find interesting. You can devote the remaining 20 percent to talk about your brand. By consciously 'downplaying' your brand, you build trust and improve engagement.

2. You don't share your follower's content

You are damn certain that your content is worth sharing, but if none of your followers click on those share buttons, it is time to review your social media strategies. Social media is all about building relationships. In the real world, you can't expect people to help you if you don't help them, right? In the virtual world too, don't expect your followers to share your content if you don't share theirs. Therefore, express a sincere interest in what your followers share. Retweet, share, or pin their content that your target audience may care about. By doing this, you foster a sense of community and engagement within your social circles. You may also exchange friendly messages with your followers. This helps build relationships.

When you share other people's content, they will also share yours. This will increase your brand exposure.

3. You post insensitive comments about sensitive topics.

This is a grave mistake. It is worse than the other two. By posting insensitive comments about sensitive topics, you not only alienate your followers, but also encourage people to trash talk your brand over the social media. As far as possible, avoid posts that are political or religious in nature. If you must, you could perhaps post them on your personal Facebook or Twitter profiles. You must also refrain from posting offensive or obscene content.