6 Social Media Myths Busted
By Bobbi Wharran | bobbi@pancakedigitalsolutions.com
It seems like everywhere you look these days someone is selling some kind of hack or secret technique to make your business explode on social media.
Today we’re busting 6 of the most common social media myths out there.
You Have to Be On Every Platform
FALSE! Every social media platform has its own demographic.
Knowing where your audience spends its time is one of the keys to being successful on social media.
By marketing on the right platform(s) you’re able to reach your audience and create compelling marketing strategies that will get results.
Related Post: How to Pick the Right Social Media Platform for Your Business
More Followers Equals More Money
FALSE! The number of followers is called a ‘vanity metric’ for a reason and means very little if they aren’t within your target market.
Big brands have become wise to this which is why ‘micro-influencers’ have become more popular over the last few years.
The quality of the followers you have is much more important than the quantity. If you have a smaller number of engaged followers who know, like, and trust you, they will be more likely to want to work with you or buy what you’re selling or.
Having hundreds of thousands of people who follow you but have no interest in you isn’t going to get you very far when it comes to growing your business.
Aim to Make Every Post Go Viral
You guessed it – FALSE! Although it can be fun and exciting to see a post go viral unless it’s attracting all the attention of the right people within your target market, it’s not going to get you much business.
Instead, aim to provide value in your posts mixed with your personality. Authenticity is going to get you a lot further than a viral post every time.
Related Post: How to Create Content That Converts
You Can Post the Same Post Across Every Platform
FALSE again! In an effort to save time, energy, and resources, some businesses just push the same post through to every social media platform and call it a day.
Every platform has different requirements and different demographics. LinkedIn, for example, is a platform for professionals and you really don’t want to be sharing cat videos or memes there on a regular basis.
Instagram is a platform that uses hashtags whereas Facebook is not. When you crosspost, your audience knows. Take the time to create thoughtful posts intended for the audience on the platform you’re posting on.
You’ll Sell Products If You Keep Pitching Them
This one is definitely FALSE! In short, people do not like to be sold to. Constant sales pitches are a turn-off and will repel your audience rather than attract them.
Instead, figure out what challenges your audience is having. Find a way your product can solve those challenges and bridge that gap in an organic way. Show you care and don’t make it seem like you only see dollar signs whenever you interact with your audience.
You’ll See Results in a Short Amount of Time
This one couldn’t be further from the truth. Many businesses think that blasting their audience with a ton of posts for a week or 2 is enough. But in truth, it not only takes consistency but it also takes persistence to grow your business on social media.
It can take 6-12 months of consistently posting and engaging with your audience. Even when it feels like no one is seeing your posts. Staying consistent helps build your credibility and can set you up as an expert in your industry.
On the Table
Social media is still a great way to build credibility and authority in your industry but there is nothing quick nor easy about it. The next time you come across a guru selling ‘secret hacks’ to quickly increase your followers, run the other way, my friend, because there is no such thing when it comes to social media. What other social media myths have you seen out there?
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