No wonder many business owners are taking advantage of the technology to obtain increased popularity for their companies.
There are, however, many things you need to keep in mind if you want to make the most of your presence on social media and create a strong connection with your target market.
As John Jantsch, author of Duct Tape Marketing, once said:
“Don’t think of social media as just a megaphone for your business, but think about how it can help you reach your goals.”In today’s social media-driven world, everyone is trying very hard to get their position in the feed. But please keep in mind that whatever you publish may and will be utilized either for you or against you in the consumer market. So, when it comes to company branding on social media, how can you guarantee your followers and customers are enjoying their experience on your profile?
Without further wasting more time, here are 20 tested do’s and don’ts of social media engagement.
Do:
Know your audience | Start social media conversations | Respond to inquiries, comments, and mentions | Use appropriate hashtags | Post reviews | Share your story | Use analytics | Use the correct ‘voice’ | Stay authentic | Stay active
Don’t:
Try to use all available platforms | Forget to schedule your posts | Ignore current events and trends | Stick with the same formula | Overdo automation | Just sell your brand | Be afraid to spend a little | Underestimate the power of discounts and giveaways | Share unverified information | When responding to negative feedback, be snarky
DO know your audience
First and most importantly, you must focus on your topic and identify your target audience. Understand your market’s age range, interests, and challenges, along with other things. It is important to create customer profiles for your social media audience.
This is essential because considering “everyone” in your target audience will make it more difficult to create relevant content. It is always recommended to be more specific when implementing an effective demand generation campaign.
DO start social media conversations
Because social media is all about interactions, you’re missing the whole point if you’re not engaging in them.
Initiate conversations with your followers by asking a question or asking for feedback. You can also conduct surveys and polls.
Again, this is a simple task if you know your audience very well.
DO respond to inquiries, comments, and mentions
Let’s face it: no one likes to be ignored.
As a result, when your followers leave questions on your posts or mention you in their feed – particularly when they tag you – they expect a response.
Responding clearly shows that you care about your audience. They will naturally pick up on that, so check the comments section for posts that require your response. Respond to private messages in the same way, especially if they have questions about your brand.
Mention the social media user by name when responding. This is a simple thing to do, but it will undoubtedly help you connect with them better. You’re trying to show that you recognize them!
Automation can help you save time. Automating your social media can help you develop a content strategy so that you’re always prepared.
Add auto-bots and chat-bots to instant replay and answer common customer questions.
DO use appropriate hashtags
Yes, using hashtags is also important for your business!
They can help you reach a larger audience; your posts will be visible to everyone, including non-followers, who may be looking for more information on a specific topic or category.
According to experts, hashtags “make content searchable in on-platform searches and, efficiently and successfully, reach more people.”
As part of their branding efforts, some businesses even create their own hashtags. In addition, you can use a hashtag to support worthy social causes.
Hashtags can be a very useful tool depending on what you’re trying to achieve with your posts or marketing campaigns.
DO post reviews
If you’re giving your consumers the best products or services, it’s natural that some of them will eventually start telling people about your company on social media.
When you get excellent ratings online, you wouldn’t want to keep them private. Share them on your wall, whether you get them through your Facebook page or by email. Ask for their permission whether it’s appropriate to post their review on your social media channels. Just make sure that you keep your customers’ identities confidential if needed.
Posting positive feedback on your websites and social media channels might boost the trust of potential customers. They’ll be more willing to give your product or service a try if they see extremely good testimonials while they’re searching for your business online.
DO share your story
Everyone enjoys a good story.
Instead of telling them why they should buy what you’re trying to sell, tell them what inspired you to create a product or the challenges you faced as you tried to establish your business.
This can be useful in convincing others that you’re more than just a faceless brand—you’re a real person with a real story. We’ve seen startups go viral on social media by doing this. So it’s something to think about.
DO use analytics
If you want to learn what works and what doesn’t on social media, your analytics can help.
You’ll be able to make better decisions about what types of content to create in the future if you have access to key performance indicator data. You’ll be able to see which of your previous posts received the most reactions, comments, and shares from your online followers.
The good news is that there are many free and paid analytics tools available. Start investigating the market until you find one that best meets your company’s requirements.
DO use the correct ‘voice’ for your business
Every business is unique. So, when it comes to social media communications, your goal should be to find a tone that matches the image of your company.
Are you at ease with having fun, or do you prefer to be considered a serious brand? It all depends on your objectives! What’s most important, as explained previously, is that you know your audience well enough.
DO stay authentic
It’s critical to maintain your authenticity in your interactions. Maintain your authenticity!
Communicate as if you were speaking with a friend. Post photos of your team on the feed whenever possible to show your company’s ‘human side’.
DO stay active
Staying consistent is, of course, important.
Nothing turns off new users faster than seeing your most recent post is from, say, three or four months ago.
You can’t expect people to follow your page and stick around if you’re not even active.
DON’T try to use all available platforms
While there are numerous free or low-cost social media platforms available, it is not advisable to keep accounts on all of them. Doing so can quickly become overwhelming and take up far too much of your time.
According to statistics, Facebook is still the world’s most popular social networking site for marketers today. LinkedIn is the most popular business-to-business channel. If your brand is directed at a young audience, TikTok could be an option.
The main point here is to use your actual customers’ platforms.
DON’T forget to schedule your posts
As you try to share content regularly, the scheduling tool can be a valuable resource. Schedule your posts and do so strategically. Learn when the majority of your target audience is online so that they can see your new posts.
A content calendar is ideal. This will assist you in planning recurring posts and matching them to industry trends.
DON’T ignore current events and trends
Make sure to include upcoming events in your social media calendar planning.
Again, you want your posts to get noticed, and one way to do so is to keep up with current events and new trends.
You could have posts dedicated to specific times of the year, such as Diwali, Halloween or Christmas and New Year. Of course, this does not imply that you should follow every trend that emerges. Choose those that are relevant to your brand and audience.
DON’T stick with the same formula
A friendly suggestion: strive for diversity.
Change between posting blogs, pictures, infographics, and videos, among other things. Remember that internet users enjoy visually engaging content.
If necessary, hire a good graphic designer to help you with this. You can also do it yourself with a tool like Canva.
DON’T overdo automation
While using automation to answer common questions via personal messages is understandable, you shouldn’t rely on it all the time. When social media users receive unprofessional responses to their concerns, they are never happy.
You’ll have a better chance of improving your online presence if people believe that customer service is a personal matter for your company rather than a job for a bot.
DON’T just sell your brand
Sure, you’re using social media to promote your product or service. Still, being in “sales mode” at all times is a big mistake. Nobody enjoys a high-pressure sales message.
In some cases, all you have to do is respond to a follower’s questions or point them in the proper direction.
Remember that the key to growing a loyal social media audience is to share value.
DON’T be afraid to spend a little
As an example, there’s nothing wrong with spending money on Facebook ads. You want to get the word out about your business, so don’t be afraid to spend some money on it.
Moreover, you may want to consider collaborating with bloggers and influencers in your industry to do sponsored posts or paid advertisements. This is undoubtedly one of the most effective social media tactics available because it increases your exposure to your target market.
DON’T Underestimate the power of discounts and giveaways
Do giveaways and discounts regularly to attract a larger number of online followers. This could be a great way to reach an untapped market. Furthermore, it could be an effective way to express gratitude to your followers.
As a result, brand awareness and audience engagement may skyrocket.
DON’T share unverified information
When it comes to sharing any information online, you should proceed with caution.
When posting statistics or B2B data, it is best to double-check ahead of time. Check your sources and keep in mind that spreading false information online can have a negative impact on your brand.
Please think before you click, as they always say on the internet!
DON’T be snarky in your response to negative feedback
Last but not least, when responding to negative reviews, you must be professional. Use a friendly tone of voice when communicating. Learn to handle criticism with grace. Take care not to overreact. If necessary, always apologize.
Being irritable or sarcasm can do more harm than good in the long run. It is always preferable to resolve the issue with the person rather than silence them for being dissatisfied with your brand.
Responding to negative comments correctly can result in positive outcomes.
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