5 Social Media Mistakes You’re Probably Making

5 Social Media Mistakes You're Probably Making – Thirty-Something Angie

5 Social Media Mistakes You’re Probably Making

Today’s high-tech age has really been fabulous for the stay at home parent.  It’s so easy to stay home these days and still manage to make money.  Most of us turn to the internet to do this, because there are so many platforms readily available to take our promotions.  However, it’s important to remember that there is a

way to market your business.  You may be making these 5 social media mistakes without even realizing it!  Don’t worry.  Most people new to online business have done at least one of these at some point!  If you want to improve your social media marketing, read on to find out the 5 mistakes you can stop making today.

Sharing the Exact Same Message on Every Platform

I see this one a lot.  The best way to boost traffic to your website is to

boost your visibility

, right?  So, why not post

you can possibly post?  There are actually two answers to this question.

First, many people are in several groups and on several social media platforms.  They will

your copy and pasted message across all these platforms and be able to tell that you didn’t put effort into changing the message.  It’ll start to look like a sidebar ad and lose it’s personality, which makes it less effective.

Second, your target market doesn’t hang out

By sharing everywhere, you’re spending a lot more time and energy to reach people that just aren’t interested in what you’re saying.  Make a strategic social media plan based on your market research, and spend less time posting to every platform, and

time posting to the

platforms. Make your message on each platform unique and personal to that audience, and it will get noticed much more easily.

Directly Contacting People Who Like Your Posts

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I know, this one seems backwards, but trust me on this.  Do not assume that a “like” on your Facebook post is a request for more information.  A

like or comment on social media boosts your posts relevancy (which means it’ll be shown to more people). Appreciate the support they’ve given you.  Sending a private message about your product to someone that has simply liked a photo is a sure way to scare them off from ever doing so again.

Reconnecting with the Intent of Promotions

So, you’ve just started selling this awesome new product, and now you need

.  All the advice you’ve read tells you to build on the social media audience you already have built, by sharing with your Facebook friends list.  I mean, that’s hundreds of potential customers that already know you exist, right!  You’ve worked your way through the people you talk to regularly, and now you’re trying to expand.  You remember Sally, from high school, and think she might just love this product. So, you decide to send her a message and let her know about your new business.  Surely, she’ll be very excited for you, right?

Here’s the deal.  You haven’t spoken with Sally in

She’s going to see right through that promotional message.  It’s spammy and a big turn-off.  If you really want to reconnect with Sally, do so without mentioning your business.  Let your product come up naturally after you’ve gotten reacquainted.

Posting the Same Thing as Competitors

It’s a sticky trap to fall into with social media marketing.  You see someone else have great success with a certain post, and you attempt a similar post with the hopes of it getting a lot of attention and sales.  Here’s the deal, though.  If you aren’t true to your own voice, your message will sound contrived.  Your voice is the only thing that no one else can take.  No competitors can talk to your customers in the same voice you do.  And that’s what draws your market to you.  Be your authentic self and tell your own stories.  Your customers will notice this, and it will help you stand out among all the “noise” on social media these days. Don’t be generic!

Using Your Personal Accounts for Business

This is a bad idea on so many levels. Let’s consider.

People became your Facebook friend, or started following your Instagram account because they want to know more about

Yes, your business is part of who you are now, and yes, they probably want to hear about how you spend your day.

, there is a big difference between talking about your job to your friends, and spending your entire day promoting products on your personal page.  Your business isn’t your whole life.  Please make sure to maintain your regular posting habits on your personal page once you start a business.  If you want a place to post all of your sales and promotions, consider starting a business page, or at least a group dedicated to your product.

I personally choose to keep my business and personal lives almost entirely separate.  I’ve made it known what I do for a living, and I’m sure to share when there is something relevant to my personal life, but otherwise, everything goes on a business page or in a group I’ve started.

If you do choose to post about your products or services on your personal page, please be sure to remain authentic.  Your friends don’t want to feel sold to all the time.  A good rule of thumb is to keep your business posts to less than half of the posts you make on a regular basis.

WOW! I had no idea I was making this social media mistake! Are you? #socialmedia #marketing

Avoid These Social Media Mistakes

Now that you know about these social media mistakes, it’ll be easier to avoid them and look more professional online.

Running a business online

has been a huge blessing for me, and I love watching my friends manage to do the same.  I just hope that by pointing out some of these, that it’ll help more new businesses be a step ahead on their marketing goals!

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5 Social Media Mistakes You’re Probably Making

I never thought about some of these things as a bad idea. hmm.

12th Sep, 2016 at 1:20pm

I’m guilty of posting the same message on different platforms.

12th Sep, 2016 at 1:24pm

It’s harder not to! But consider if you’re in several groups with a person that copies and pastes the exact same message into all of them. They all show up in a group on your newsfeed! By sharing the message in a different way, you have a better chance of standing out to more people.

12th Sep, 2016 at 1:45pm

You’re absolutely right! I am going to tailor them better now.

14th Sep, 2016 at 1:16pm

Great post and things I was certainly guilty of when I began blogging. Thankfully I’ve learnt a lot since then!

12th Sep, 2016 at 1:29pm

I did a lot of this when I first started, too! Glad you enjoyed it.

12th Sep, 2016 at 1:41pm