February 21, 2016

10 Do’s and Don’ts For Social Media For Business

If you are using social media for your business here are 10 do’s and don’ts you should consider.

1. Thoroughly Complete Your Social Media Profiles

Social media accounts that are only partially completed are hard to take seriously because they automatically appear less professional. Choose a name that easily identifies you and your business, and take the extra few minutes to thoughtfully fill out the “About You” information. Use your logo or a tasteful portrait of yourself for the avatar. First impressions are important and lasting.

2. Don’t Confuse Your Clients With Multiple Profiles on the Same Network

While it’s a good strategy to have a presence on all the social media platforms that most relate to your business, managing multiple profiles on the same network is a lot of work and may not be worth the extra effort. If you choose to keep your personal and professional personas separate on social media, be sure you’re consistent with the types of content you share via your business profile so your clients know which account to follow.

3. Be Aware Of What You Share

Use common sense when you share. What you put out there becomes a representation of you or your business in the social media landscape. But don’t let this stop you from making yourself known on topics that matter. Having no voice pertaining to your business and industry could be worse than a few people disagreeing with you. Above all, don’t be a complainer on social media.
Keep your posts positive.

4. Build Relationships

Share your opportunity within your accounts but also get to know the people you are sharing with. Replying to comments, messages, and interacting with other post will help you gain a following and people will more than likely do the same on your posts.

5. Interacting

Interacting with your followers is also key. See a question or comment on Twitter that you can answer? Send the person a friendly reply! Looking for recommendations? Ask your Facebook audience. Did you write a helpful, industry-specific post on your blog? Share it with your LinkedIn network. Build connections online just like you would in person

6. Prioritize

It may be tempting to try every new social media platform that sprouts up, but it’s dangerous to spread your marketing efforts too thin. To start, focus on the three top social platforms — LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Providing quality content via these outlets has a broad reach that’s worth your time and effort, no matter your industry.

7. Don’t Beg

Don’t ask your Twitter followers to “please retweet,” and don’t beg your Facebook friends to “like” your page. Instead, get creative. You can still accomplish those tasks, but you’re better off earning them with helpful.

8. Be Visual

Photos and videos can boost your social media strategy. Tweets that feature images earn 150 percent more retweets, are favorited 89 percent more, and lead to 18 percent more clicks. If your industry relies heavily on visuals (like real estate or interior design), consider adding social media platforms based on visual engagement, like Pinterest and Instagram, to your marketing repertoire.

9. Don’t Use All Caps.

This makes it look like you are yelling at your audience. ARE YOU MAD AT ME? DID I DO SOMETHING WRONG? Please, for the love of all things holy, stop with the all caps! Not only are they visually abrupt, but they also communicate that you’re upset about something.

10. Think Before Tagging

Tagging others in photos is a great way to introduce you and your business to their friends, but before you do it, ask for permission.

Many value privacy and don’t look kindly on others who call them out without warning. Unexpected tagging is a move that could cost you friends, fans or followers. Many people (including me) do not like to be tagged in photos or comments, especially if they don’t know why they are doing tagged.

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