Don’t feel bad if you just started advertising on social media. There are plenty of resources available with tips on what to do. But just as important is what not to do.

Do NOT…

Begin Without a Solid Plan

You should know your brand, your product, and your customer before diving in.

Go Without a Team

Customer service and audience engagement are key to social media marketing. You need to make sure your response rate is high and that any issues that arise are managed quickly and smoothly. If you’re small but growing, you must think about what you might need down the line.

Have an Imbalance of Advertising and Authenticity

You want to push the latest product, offer discounts, invite readers to read your blog, etc. But users don’t want to see what could just as easily be flashing at them via TV commercials or pop-up windows. The great thing about social media is that it’s a chance to be transparent, to put yourself out there. Show your audience the real behind-the-scenes of your brand or business. Working hard on your latest blog post? Share a Snapchat or Instagram picture of yourself working on it. Is your business holding a team-building exercise? Share a brief video of the team laughing and working together.

Over-post

If you over-post, you might as well ask users to block you. Spread out your posts and give your content variety so they aren’t repetitive.

Neglect to Include Links

Include a link to your main website whenever you can. It can be a major lift for potential sales. Users are more likely to visit your website if they can conveniently select your link without digging around for it.

Neglect to Use Relevant Tags

Think about the audience you want to target as well as the content you are posting. Use tags that reflect your content so that your desired audience can find it easily through a tag search.

Focus Too Much on Follower Numbers

Once you’ve built up a decent following, don’t get too carried away with the numbers. Although followers are definitely important, sales or subscriptions should still be your main focus.

Fail to Give Back

Treat your followers kindly. Offer discounts, giveaways, or prizes. It’ll boost engagement, as well as show that you care about your customers.

Leave Your Page Private

It would be a shame to invest a ton of time into a social media account only to find out no one can see it. Check your settings to make sure your account is not set to Private

Limit How Customers Can Contact You

Make yourself available through Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or text message. Many users want a quick response and hate the hassle of making a phone call or filling out a contact form.

Respond Slowly (Or Not At All)

When a customer has a question or complaint, respond promptly. Don’t leave a message hanging around with no acknowledgment. Social media is about connection and communication. So communicate and communicate well! It reflects well on the customer service skills of your business, blog, or brand.

Post Poor-Quality Photos

A pixelated or blurry photo is unprofessional and reflects poorly on your business or blog. Users aren’t going to waste their time on something that doesn’t look great or interesting. Make each photo or image count.

Want to learn how to double your followers on Instagram? Read “How to Double Your Instagram Followers” and “More Ways to Double Your Instagram Followers“