5 Things You Should Never Do on Social Media

Learning the proper etiquette for posting on social media can be difficult. Small businesses may find it challenging to understand the do’s and don’ts that act as unwritten rules for their social entities. While there is no such thing as the perfect account, there are several things that your small business should never do on social media:

1. Quality > quantity.
We’ve all been annoyed when a friend or business page posts numerous times each day, or even within an hour. Oversharing often leads to unfollowing their activities. While your small business may not be posting hourly, you want to be sure that you aren’t overwhelming your followers.

It’s important to post consistently, but if you’re unsure of how frequently to post we recommend once or twice daily. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but with only one or two posts going out each day it’s safe to say you won’t annoy your followers and cause them to lose interest. As an added bonus, fewer posts also means they will be more thought out and carefully constructed so your followers will be getting your best content.

2. Skip the controversy.
While it’s okay to post your opinion on certain topics, your business page will rarely be the best place to do so, something Chic-fil-a learned a few years ago. If you want to share your opinions on controversial topics or news, such as politics or religion which could be offensive to others, save it for your personal page. Your social media account is an extension of your brand’s identity, and unless your brand has a focus rooted in these issues it’s best to keep things professional. After all, you don’t want people to be turned off by your business.

3. Beware automated mistakes.
Another common mistake businesses make is not double checking posts before they are published. Businesses frequently schedule posts well in advance for planning purposes. It’s important to review these posts before they are pushed out not just to correct typos, but also to prevent social media disasters like the NRA’s insensitive tweet during the Aurora shooting tragedy. Proofreading can save you some minor embarrassment, but keeping up with current events can save your reputation.

4. Don’t be impersonal.
Perfecting the right language and tone for your social media pages is vital. You don’t want to sound like a robot but your voice and social personality should always readily identify with your brand and achieve the appropriate level of professionalism, depending on your industry and identity. For example, a bank needs to maintain a more serious, professional tone, while Skittles has one of the weirdest Twitter accounts you will ever encounter. The point is, your audience should be able to gain a better understanding of your values and who you are as a business through your social channels.

5. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
It’s unlikely that your business will only receive positive comments and feedback, but think twice before deleting negative reviews. Addressing comments and complaints in a professional and timely manner goes a long way, allowing you to address problems and remedy the situation with a customer who feels wronged. And don’t forget to acknowledge positive comments too, it helps create a stronger connection to loyal customers. Using social media for customer service can be incredibly useful.

Taking the time to evaluate how your business uses social media can play a huge role in making sure that you don’t drive customers away. Your tone, posting frequency, and responses make a big impact on your brand and it’s essential to put in the time and effort so that followers and customers feel like they know your business and can trust you. It may seem overwhelming, but if you need assistance when it comes to managing your social media presence and producing content, we’re one email or phone call away.