Social media is an influential tool, when used the right way can boost your business and attract new customers. If you own a small business, you’re probably already active on social media. As essential as social media is for small businesses, it is a double-edged tool and if not handled carefully it can spark a repercussion that can take a toll on your reputation and business.
Whether you use Facebook to grow your community or Twitter to interact with your audience, here are a few things every small business owner should avoid doing while using social media for business.
Joining a platform without adequate research
- You don’t have to join a certain platform just because everyone else is there. Many business owners jump straight into social media because everybody suggested them to do so, ignoring, and skipping the indispensable research and planning phase of the process.
- Similar to any other marketing activity, social media marketing also demands the awareness of networks that can aid your business, setting goals for that network, and developing an action plan to achieve those goals.
Sharing too much
- Keeping your audience engaged and entertained in necessary. But there is a fine line between keeping them engaged and sharing too much. Keep your audience curious about your work. Give them enough to chew on but not so much that they become uninterested.
- Another good way of keeping your posts from being excessive is to think of it as sending a personal message to your most important client. Keep away from social media sites where you wouldn’t find your most valuable customers.
Ignoring comments
- Communicating with customers is an integral part of social media. The most important benefit of social media marketing is easy communication with customers. It is crucial to respond to questions and comments from customers to show them that you care.
- Do not ignore negative and irrelevant comments. Instead, use them as an opportunity to show your followers how you address different situations. Addressing negative comments in a timely and mindful way will not only prevent your business form facing any PR issues but will also establish the idea that your aim is to serve your customers.
Repeated self-promotion
- One important reason for stepping into social media is promotion. But these platforms differ vastly from other marketing tools. Even though it’s important to share experiences and value of your product and services, promoting yourself constantly can be harmful.
- To counterbalance your self-promotion activities, you can promote and help others. This will make your audience more amenable to your promotional posts and even influence them to share it on their own network.
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