Mistakes In Social Media

6 Social Media Mistakes Brands Make

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They all have one thing in common: you need to build your brand’s presence in these social networks. While doing so however, you will end up being prone to committing a number of mistakes that even the biggest brands make. Committing these mistakes can become a source of negative press and can hamper your attempts to make your mark on social media.

So, what are some of these common mistakes? Here’s a short list:

Posting a Long Status Update, Link, Ad, or Article Without an Image on Facebook

Businesses love Facebook because after all, it’s hub where most people gather online. It’s where potential customers are, and by just making a page, your reach can become limitless.

Try to be polite as possible and when it seems like a user is trying to bait you into an argument, simply ignore them (if it’s baseless) or settle the issue privately through a phone call. There’s always an option to block users if they are throwing baseless accusations or are trolls.

Expressing Opinion on Sensitive Topics

Your personal views should be left on your personal social network accounts, not on your brand’s. This covers anything from religion, politics, and social advocacies like LGBT rights. Expressing support for a side, even when it sounds like the right thing to do, can tick off your current customers and shoo away potential ones.

Too Many Hashtags on All Platforms

One general rule in all platforms is to NEVER abuse hashtags. There are two keys:

Limit the number of hashtags to a maximum of three per tweet, photo, or status update.

Avoid extremely long ones. For example, instead of #IAteBaconForBreakfast, use a shorter version like

Short hashtags are clearer and are more likely to resonate within your audience. Remember this if you’re planning a contest or starting a hashtag campaign.

Being Too Casual

Though it’s highly recommended to be friendly and casual with your audience, try to set certain limits. Mix casual with professional: be polite, but at the same time, try not to sound like a robot. Do not make inappropriate-sounding jokes or demean your users even if it’s all for poking fun. It’s recommended to put up lighthearted posts once in a while, but always put your business and brand image first!

Ignoring User Complaints

Not listening to your users or addressing their complaints is like digging an early grave. Whenever a user mentions you on social media or sends a message complaining about something, it’s best to address it right away. Remember though, be sure to do so via public correspondence, may it be through private messaging or