There are a few big social media sins that really don't work with most accounts, yet we all see them quite often. Why are they sins, you ask? Because they have all statistically been proven to display negative engagement. And what's social media without engaging your audience and gaining their trust?
1. ALL CAPS SOCIAL
Should you use all caps in your social posts? Most people who use caps use them because they're trying to get their point across. The issue is that your audience most likely thinks you're yelling at them. No one likes getting yelled at. Even if it's about YOUR SUPER GREAT SALE!! They get annoyed and stop reading. Engagement goes down. It's a terrible practice. Don't yell at your audience.
2. Too many twitter hashtags
Is there such a thing as using too many hashtags on twitter? If you review the analytics, the answer is always yes. People don't respond well to anything that's difficult to read. So what is the anatomy of the perfect tweet, you ask? Studies show that 0-2 hashtags provide the best engagement.
So instead of saying:
"We're having a #bigsale #today #only! #Come one Come #all!"
You should say:
"We're having a big sale today only! Come one, come all! bit.ly/salelink #onsale"
The second example is easier to read. Hashtags are just a search tool. No one uses hashtag searches to find #only and #all when they're looking for a good deal. Do some research and try to find the best hashtags that receive the highest amount of searches. If you need some help, click here to connect with us.
3. Tagging a ton of people in your Facebook sale posts
Should you tag people in your promotional posts? Come on now, that's just spammy. Unless tagging someone who really cares about what you're posting, don't do it! That's why Facebook created promoted posts--to reach out to your targeted demographic of people who genuinely care and will convert.
4. Using hashtags on Facebook
Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you always should. Facebook now allows for hashtags on their social network but research continually shows a drop in engagement when hashtags are used. Very rarely use hashtags on Facebook. People are very rarely using Facebook to search for hashtags.
5. Posting/Tweeting the same thing again and again
Should you post the same thing twice? Yes, sure! If it's not a time-sensitive post and it performs well during your analytical review, save it to post again in a few weeks! Never ever repetitively post/tweet the same thing over and over again. This is also construed as being obnoxious and is a good way to lose followers/fans...or not gain them in the first place.
6. Buying Facebook fans/followers
When you're posting something to Facebook or twitter, and you have 500 real followers; they are most likely going to engage with your post because it actually interests them. If you are posting to facebook/twitter to the fake followers you purchased, expect crickets to chirp. There will be no engagement...unless you pay money to promote your posts and get real fans. Which is what you should do to begin with--to promote your page.
7. Saying "I" instead of "we" on your business accounts
If you're a business with employees, determine your brand voice and stick with it as a company. You are not your company. You and your employees are your company. Saying "I" makes social users think the company is only you. It also can create the impression that you like yourself more than your company.
8. Valuing your fans/followers above your engagement
Are fans and followers more important than your engagement rates? Most people would say yes. However, if you have someone who is not a fan/follower share one of your posts/tweets to their 15,000 fans/followers, they are then much more valuable to you than a mere fan/follower. Your community engagement is what social media is all about. This is how you can represent your company, have your promotions go viral, and develop trust. People like to buy from people they like. They don't like to feel like they are just a number.