four common mistakes made by small businesses on social

When you (as a small business owner) set up your business social media accounts you may feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to do next. Or maybe you have all the confidence in the world and just start going post-wild. While on the surface social media marketing for your business may seem very simple, it actually involves a lot of careful consideration, complex intricacies, and sometimes complex methods.
 
Here are four common mistakes I see small business make on their social media:
 
1. Not Being On Social

Not all of us love social media and I completely understand that. However, you miss out on a very powerful tool with social media. According to analysis from Kepios, there are 4.70 billion social media users, and it grows every year. Regardless of your opinion, your potential clients and customers are on social. It is one of the quickest and cost-efficient manners to potentially reach people with your message, grow brand awareness, and develop a relationship with them.
 
 
2. Inconsistent Posting

I get it, your time and attention to your social media ebbs and flows with how busy you are in other areas of life and business. This can cause you to post content in a flurry one week and then nothing for a couple weeks, then once a week. But being inconsistent on social is almost as bad as not being on social at all. (Ok, maybe not THAT drastic but it does create some barriers to success.)  Staying consistent helps you stay connected with your people, builds trust in you or your business, and keeps you in front of people on the regular.
 
3. Inauthentic or Salesy Newsfeed

Stop asking people to buy what you are selling in every single post. Think about walking down the street and passing a woman in front of her store. Every day you walk past her and every day she tries to get you to buy something she is selling. Odds are, you will look for another route to work. Now picture this same woman keeping you on your toes. Sometimes she asks how you are doing, she might tell you a joke or give you a little gift, maybe she shares a tip to make your life better, every now and then she shows you what she has to offer but most of the time she is providing you with encouragement, knowledge, friendly conversation or giving back. You would be much more likely to walk past her store daily to see what she might have for you.
 
4. Ignoring Your Followers 

Whether someone comments, leaves a review, shares and tags your page, or sends you a message… whatever the case may be… RESPOND. Would you ignore them if they said something to you in person? I highly doubt it. The same courtesy over social media can go a long way in building trust with your followers. People are more likely to use a business they feel a connection or relationship with. By simply taking the time to respond and acknowledge your people you show that you value them and are grateful.
 
Staying in-the-know and on top of the ever-changing ways social media hits target markets requires constant observation, versatility, and time.

Need help with setting up a social media page, developing a strategy, or managing the day to day?

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Written by: Elisabeth Gelhar
Content Curator & Photographer