Social Media Mistakes You’re Making For Your Business
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The majority of marketers and small business owners believe that videos are the most effective form of advertising, and many call Facebook their preferred platform for publishing such content. While most of these organizations say running ads is the most effective form of marketing, they say that simply making social media posts of their videos is a close second. And a very tiny percent hire professional editors to create these videos: most are making them themselves. This shows the power of using social media for marketing – not only in how far it can reach, but how little it can cost you.
However, if you mismanage your social media profiles, consumers can turn against you quickly. Right now, you can likely name some brands that handle social media in a way that you find obnoxious. You even felt compelled to unfollow them. Maybe you couldn’t say exactly what they did wrong, but if you have a business of your own, it’s important to identify those mistakes. We chatted with Rachel Rodgers, founder of HelloSeven.co, about social media mistakes you might be making for your business, and ways you can turn it around. Being a successful Internet marketer herself, Rodgers is well-versed in this topic. You can follow Rodgers on Instagram @rachrodgersesq.
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Speak your truth without fear
“The worst things you can do on social media are: be fake, be a liar, be bland, forgettable, and boring, and be cowardly,” says Rodgers. “By cowardly, I mean: sitting on the sidelines and being passive and silent instead of taking a stand and saying what you really feel. For instance: never posting anything related to politics or activism or women’s rights because what will Great Uncle Phil think?”
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A good vs great post
Rodgers explains that “A good social media post is something that’s educational, inspiring, entertaining, or all three at once. An extraordinary social media post is something that stops people in their tracks and commands their undivided attention. It’s a post that moves people to feel something and do something beyond just tapping ‘like.’ A post that inspires people to take action.”
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Show them where the magic happens
Rodgers encourages you to give fans and followers a look at your process and your world. She says, “People always love a backstage peek! Give a tour of your home. Your office. Your calendar and how you organize your day. Give a tour of your art studio. People are naturally curious (and nosey!) and always love when you peel back the curtain and reveal what’s behind. It’s inspirational to see what you’ve done and how they can do it, too.”
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Make a research-backed claim
“My IG followers LOVE when I find statistics, studies, and data and share it with them…in a concise way. They love evidence,” says Rodgers. “For instance, did you know that only two percent of female-run businesses ever generate $1 million in revenue? Ninety-eight percent of women-founded companies never reach seven figures.”
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Numbers activate and inspire
Rodgers emphasizes the power a great statistic has to light a fire under people to make changes (possibly changes that involve hiring you). “When I shared that stat, my followers went wild and it really clarified what a huge wealth gap we have in our country. Data makes the problem even more vivid and clear. And it motivates people to do something to fix it.”
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Share someone else’s victory
“If there is one thing that’s universally true about human beings, it is that…we LOVE an uplifting true story! A story about an 80-year-old grandpa who finally finished his college degree. A story about a single mom who built a thriving business even though everyone told her it wasn’t realistic….”
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Be the medicine the world needs
Of that uplifting story, Rodgers says, “Now more than ever, those are the kinds of stories we crave and need. These stories are medicine for our weary souls. So, instead of viewing social media as just a frivolous place to post Selfies and get attention, or just a place to promote your business, think of it as a place to share medicine.
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Your platform is for others
So often we think about getting with social media. Getting followers. Getting traction. Getting paid sponsorship deals. But Rodgers shows us we should think more along the lines of what we’re giving our audience. “This will elevate your social media presence to something truly above-and-beyond, something powerful, noteworthy, and worth following.”
