Social media is commonly perceived as a tool we use to brag about our Caribbean vacation, or live coverage of the party we’re currently at, or a place to air our relationship issues to the public. However, as time has gone by, it has become a powerful marketing tool not only for large companies, but for small businesses as well. There are a number of social media myths floating around out there, and we’re going to address them here and now.
Myth #1: Social Media is for “kids”
While this may have been true at first, it has quickly morphed into a marketing instrument that can be used to share information about your business and attract various demographics to your brand. The key is in the content that you produce.
Myth #2: I don’t have time for social media
Okay, to be honest, social media CAN be time-consuming when done correctly, BUT it is definitely worth the time investment. Luckily, it’s getting easier and easier to create and schedule posts ahead of time. Some platforms, such as Facebook, have a built-in scheduling option. There are also a variety of third-party scheduling programs (our favorite is Buffer) available that allow you to create posts and schedule a date and time when the site will automatically make them public. Voila, time problem solved! If you still don’t have enough time to create and publish compelling content, give us a holler.
Myth #3: Nobody will read my posts
Millions of messages and blogs are posted at any given time. The key lies in the content produced. The messages have to be succinct and engaging. If the post has a picture or video, it will attract even more attention.
Myth #4: Social media will not attract customers
With social media being so much more than just Facebook, it can attract a variety of customers. Social Media includes Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Tumblr, YouTube and so much more. Think of social media as another marketing tool for your promotional efforts. Post messages about your products, offers, promotions, giveaways and events that will attract potential customers as well as retain existing ones.
Myth #5: Clients will not take me seriously
Again, this will all depend on the content that you post online. You can keep it fun, but at the same time, use professional language and convey your expertise. Potential customers will warm up to a company or brand that uses social media because it shows that they are interested in connecting with their customers.
Myth #6: Posting pictures and videos is not easy and can be expensive
This is actually not true (unless the videos require lots of post-production work such as editing). Many social media sites have user-friendly dashboards and all you have to do is click, add content and post. Unless you want really high quality photos and videos, you do not have to invest heavily in photography or video equipment and you can use gadgets like your phone and a ring light.
Myth #7: I will not know who has seen my posts
If you want to know how many people have viewed your messages and even interacted with them, most social media sites have easily accessible analytics. This means that you can get a breakdown of who saw and interacted with your posts, their age and location, and sometimes when traffic was heaviest on your pages. You can use this information to determine how to make your social media interactions better.
Myth #8: Negative feedback will be my undoing
Social media is not the only place you can receive less than stellar feedback. The difference is that social media is available for all to see. Since negative feedback can be your one of your biggest sources of customer insight, use the unfiltered feedback to address your brand’s limitations and adjust accordingly. Always respond politely and try to offer a solution.
Myth #9: Social Media means no more emails
This could not be farther from the truth. To date, email marketing is still one of the most effective tools used to build your brand and gain a bigger client base. It is important to complement your existing marketing tools with social media.
Myth #10: I should only create serious business-like posts on social media
This is actually a sure way to lose public interest. While you should post industry related content, you can also post other things such as industry-related humor, short stories, highlights of an event and so on. The beauty about social media is that it is flexible, so just go with the flow.
If you would like to get your company’s social media going, you can start by contacting Golden Tusk Marketing and see how we can work wonders for your brand.