Read on to learn tips for making your social media platforms the places to be, as well as what to avoid if you want to keep your audience!
Social media is an incredible tool for building your brand, but there are certain habits that can turn your followers off and damage your credibility. To keep your audience engaged and growing, here are 10 things to avoid when managing your social media accounts:
1. Don’t Beg for Likes or Shares
Asking people to like, share, or retweet your posts can come off as desperate. It’s important to focus on creating valuable, shareable content instead of begging for engagement. The key is to craft posts that provide value, whether through entertainment, education, or inspiration. When your content resonates with your audience, they’ll naturally engage with it, and the shares will come on their own.
Pro Tip: Instead of asking for likes or shares, use creative call-to-action (CTA) phrases like, “What do you think about this?” or “Share your thoughts in the comments,” which encourages engagement without sounding needy.
2. Don’t Spam Your Followers
Posting too frequently or using overly promotional posts can make your followers tune out. People come to social media for authentic, engaging content—not to be bombarded with sales pitches. Striking a balance between promotional and engaging content is key. Regular posting is important, but spamming your audience with self-promotion will result in unfollows or people muting your account.
Pro Tip: Create a content mix that includes a blend of educational, entertaining, and promotional posts. Use a content calendar to plan posts strategically, allowing time for organic engagement without overwhelming your followers.
3. Don’t Be a Complainer
Negativity can repel potential customers. While it might feel cathartic to vent about your challenges, constantly complaining on your business page is a quick way to push people away. Consumers want to see a positive, solution-oriented approach. Keep the focus on what you can offer and how you can help others.
Pro Tip: Instead of complaining about business difficulties, turn them into learning experiences for your audience. Share how you overcame challenges and provide advice to help others navigate similar situations.
4. STOP SCREAMING AT PEOPLE
Writing in all caps feels aggressive and off-putting to your audience. While it’s okay to capitalize a few words for emphasis, entire sentences in caps make it look like you’re yelling at your followers. A calmer, more conversational tone is far more effective in encouraging interaction.
Pro Tip: Use formatting like bold, italics, or emojis sparingly to emphasize points without overdoing the caps lock. When used correctly, these tools can make your content more engaging and approachable.
5. Don’t Overdo the Hashtags
Hashtags can boost discoverability, but when used excessively, they can make your content look cluttered and spammy. Instead of flooding your posts with irrelevant or generic hashtags, focus on a few well-chosen, targeted hashtags that align with your content and audience.
Pro Tip: Research niche hashtags specific to your industry or audience. Using 3-5 strong, relevant hashtags is far more effective than trying to cover every possible tag.
6. Don’t Be Predictable
If your posts become too repetitive, your audience may lose interest. While consistency is important, your content needs to stay fresh and engaging. Reposting the same types of messages without variation can make your followers scroll right past your posts.
Pro Tip: Keep your audience on their toes by varying your content. Incorporate behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, interactive polls, and Q&A sessions to keep things fresh. Additionally, try experimenting with different content formats, such as infographics or short-form videos.
7. Don’t Share Fake News
Sharing unverified or false information can seriously damage your credibility. Before reposting a news article or sharing content, take a moment to verify the source. If your business becomes known for spreading misinformation, it could alienate your audience and damage your reputation.
Pro Tip: Stick to sharing content from reputable sources, and if you’re unsure about a piece of news, do some fact-checking before you post. When in doubt, avoid sharing anything that could potentially mislead your followers.
8. Let Go of Expectations
Building a solid social media presence takes time and persistence. It can be discouraging if your posts don’t initially get the likes or comments you were hoping for, but consistency is key. Don’t focus solely on instant gratification—growing a loyal audience takes patience, and your efforts will pay off in the long run.
Pro Tip: Set realistic goals for your social media engagement and track metrics over time. Celebrate small wins, like an increase in website traffic or new followers, and stay focused on providing value.
9. Avoid Copy-Pasting Content Across Platforms
Each social media platform has its own vibe, audience, and format, so copying and pasting the same content across all platforms can be a missed opportunity. It’s important to tailor your content to fit the style and expectations of each platform while maintaining your brand voice.
Customize content for each platform. For example, Instagram is visually driven, so prioritize high-quality images and videos, while Twitter focuses on concise, impactful messaging. LinkedIn might call for a more professional tone, while TikTok thrives on creativity and humor.
10. Don’t Get It Twisted with Follower Count
It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers game and obsess over follower counts. However, quality is more important than quantity when it comes to building an engaged audience. A large number of followers doesn’t necessarily translate to meaningful interactions or sales, especially if those followers aren’t part of your target audience.
Focus on growing an audience that genuinely cares about your brand and engages with your content. It’s far better to have a small, loyal group of followers who interact with your posts than a large, disengaged audience.
We hope these tips help you avoid common social media mistakes and grow your business with confidence! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by managing your social media strategy, Don Creative Group is here to help. Our team of social media experts can create a customized plan to help you engage your audience and take your social presence to the next level. Contact us today to learn more!
Madison is our Junior Client Success Manager. She communicates with clients to help move projects forward along with making sure the client is happy. Aside from work, Madison loves to travel with her two-year-old pup, Oakleigh!
