So far we have been sharing with you advice on how to grow your followership on the social media and how to advertise in a cost-efficient and effective manner on the most important platform. Today we will change tack and talk about what you should not do on the social media.
We are not talking about the blatant breach of rules of etiquette and fair use of content. We are not implying that any of you are using shady marketing and engagement tactics to find more customers for your business. However, there are some things which you may be doing in good faith which are annoying at the least to your followers (or potential followers).
These things used to work in the past, or nobody expressly said that they are annoying. But the result seen by other marketers and business owners is that they are getting a lower engagement rate and response to their marketing strategies. So, what are those things which you need to stop doing right now?
1. Hashtag Galore No More
The hashtag was born on Twitter, adopted by Instagram and used to exhaustion on Facebook™. Tell us honestly, what do you feel when you look at a post with 5 plus hashtags, or without any meaningful caption except for a series of hashtags? It is annoying and does not make a lot of sense, does it? In this case, if you do not like seeing such posts, why would you subject your followers to them?
Yes, hashtags count as keywords for SEO, but moderation is the golden rule. The average amount of hashtags per post is three for Twitter and Instagram, and two for Facebook™.
2. Asking People to Follow You Back
“I’ve just followed you. Follow me back please!” These two innocent looking questions are a surefire way to not get new followers. Following is not a quid pro quo situation. You do not follow people in the expectation that they will follow you back, but because you like and are interested in what they are sharing. If you post interesting and useful content as well, you will be followed back. But never overtly ask to be followed.
3. Not Optimising Image Sizes to Each Platform
A simple Google search will show you the exact image sizes for each social media platform. If you cannot create or resize your photos and graphics in the optimal sizes for Twitter, Instagram, Facebook™ or LinkedIn, you should hire a graphic designer to do this for you. But do not share images which are too small or too large.
The photo loading engine of the social media platforms will crop large images to fit to size without taking into account what it cuts out, or leave black areas around small ones. The result? An unprofessional look which will turn people away from your social media accounts.
4. One-Way Communication
The social media is not a stage where you stand under the spotlight and tell people how great your business is. It is an open forum where people meet and talk to each other. This implies a two-way conversation. When you plan your content mix for the social media, do not forget to include posts where you engage your followers by asking them questions, inviting them to share their ideas and opinions, and constantly encouraging feedback on your business, products and social media activity.
5. Overusing Quotes
Quotes are great. They state exactly what you want to say, but in smarter, craftier words. There are many apps which help you add a quote on a photo or graphic backgrounds, to give them a more appealing look. But you can have too much even of the best things. It is one thing sharing an inspirational quote per week, and it is a completely different situation when more than half of your shared content consists of quotes.
That’s it for now. But count on us to keep you informed of any new trends and strategies as well as obsolete ones, so that your social media marketing plan is always fresh, engaging and cost effective.