We all have our blogging journey and use various tools in unique ways. There are still quite a few very common errors that are continued to be seen in bloggers as they work with social media.
These social media mistakes can make your social media experience a struggle, if not put you off it completely. But if you persist with them over time, they can significantly harm your brand and your blog.
Social media is a public space, perhaps even more public than a blog. Although we might not be conscious of it, we make a status update on a social network every time. Social media users have the potential to reach a huge audience of people that are unknown through others sharing their messages. That can happen whether the messages are good or bad, for better or worse.
Let us have a look at these 11 social media mistakes, which undoubtedly ship the mistaken message.
1. Using Social Media As Broadcast Media
Everyone knows that social media is an engagement software, but not many people deal with that approach which is one of the social media mistakes.
What is the ratio of broadcast updates to direct, personal updates that address other users individually? And who are those direct updates to, friends, family and people you feel safe with, or are you reaching out to new contacts, readers, and others in your area of interest?
Ensure you know how to socialize the posts for maximum effect and the 10 rules of social media engagement.
2. Not Responding To Contacts
While you might not be interested in connecting with everyone on every social network, the blogger looking to build an online presence should concentrate on responding to contacts from others on social media.
Avoiding one-word responses is important. Look for ways to connect naturally and easily with every person who approaches you, and you will see real benefits from social media.
3. Not Joining The Readers On The Networks They Use
Where are your users congregating online? Which networks do they use? Are you on those networks, or are you holding off because you think you do not have enough time or energy to tackle a new network?
While there is no perfect time for anything, leaving yourself out of a social network where your audience is active could mean you are leaving money on the table or readers out of the loop.
4. Not Providing Follow And Share Buttons On Your Content
On your post pages, make sure you provide readers with the option to share the post on social networks and the opportunity to follow you on those networks.
Offering one or the other is better than nothing, but it is important to offer both. Of course, your follow buttons might appear in a location that is globally available throughout your blogs, such as in the header or sidebar. But ensure users have both options.
5. Not Following Or Friending Your Readers
Not following your readers is also one of the social media mistakes that most bloggers face. While following massive numbers of people can be overwhelming, if you are starting out on a new network, connecting with those who contact you is a great way.
6. Not Following Or Friending Industry Contacts
Connecting with people from your broader niche is an excellent way to stay abreast of news and get on the radars of others you have not met but whose work you admire.
You can get a sound perspective of the players in your niche, and their work, on social media.
7. Not Displaying Your Brand Consistently On A Network
One of the other social media mistakes is not displaying the brand consistently. Every blogger and brand has a range of facets, but these need to be carefully managed, even curated, if you want to give your followers a clear idea of the brand and more details.
Chop and change how you approach a given network or your followers or present your brand, and you might do more harm than good.
8. Solely Doing The Fundamentals In Every Community
Social networks have come to a good distance since they were first launched. Even the more modern arrivals to this trade are evolving new options regularly. But many people ignore these developments and simply post the identical stuff, day in, day trip.
Are you conscious of the options of each network you are utilizing? If you are not, you would lack worthwhile alternatives to advertise your weblog, fulfill potential readers, and make gross sales.
9. Not Tracking Social Media Traffic
Not spending time tracking social media traffic is also one of the social media mistakes. At the most basic level, it is worth knowing what portion of your blog’s traffic comes from social media and from which networks.
This knowledge can help you focus your efforts, prioritize your work, and manage your time effectively. Also, it can help you to respond to one-off traffic events arising from specific networks.
10. Not Displaying Your Brand Consistently Across Different Networks
You will have readers who follow you on multiple networks, so it is important to display yourself and behave consistently in all your dealings, whatever the network.
The Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest accounts of your blogs should share brand characteristics, even if you target the information you share with each network individually.
11. Not Tracking How Much Your Content Is Shared
On the other side of the coin, it is also important to keep an eye on how much your content is shared. It is particularly useful when you join a new network, as it helps to understand what works in that space and what does not work.
However, you should solely ever use social media to attempt to get folks to your website, and you will quickly kill off any goodwill you have established. Due to this, social media needs to be used as a part of a broader promotional toolkit that allows you to appeal to other kinds of readers. Ensure not to repeat any of the social media mistakes mentioned above in this article.
