Social media is a beast. You can admit it. There are a lot of paths to navigate on each and every platform. You could probably google “social media” and you would get more than you wanted to know about it all – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc. I have complied my list of what to do and not to do on social media. If anything, these are simple things to do to help make your social media experience more successful.
First thing first, do fill out your profile completely!
You would be surprised how many people and businesses do not fill out their profile completely. Add a profile or cover picture, list your website or other social media links, just please do not leave anything blank! For me personally, if a Twitter profile is not filled out completely (they have the “egg” as their profile picture, for example), I will not follow them. The more complete the profile, the easier you can be found and those connections can be made.
Do use continuity.
Use the same profile picture among all your profiles – that will brand you across all platforms. Use the same description, the same links…you get it!
Do respond. To everything.
According to an article I read the other night, All Facebook posted the statistic that 95% of all Facebook wall posts are not answered by the business they were posted on. People want to be acknowledged. If it’s a simple “thank you for retweeting” or a “like” on their post – respond. Social media is all about engagement. If not, then why is it called “social”? You will find that the more you interact, you will build those relationships that will turn into loyal brand ambassadors!
Don’t forget about it.
The last you want to do is to open up an account then never use it again. If you feel one platform is not for you and you are not going to use it, then don’t worry about it. If you make the commitment to be active on a platform, be active!
Don’t spam.
The people you are engaging with want to engage with you. Please do not put out spam links or “junk”. Make your posts authentic and honest. Your fans and followers will appreciate you more for it.
Don’t be offensive.
The quickest way to lose fans and followers is to go on an unprofessional tirade. Do not use profanity. Do not use hateful or hurtful comments. If you have an issue with someone’s post, direct message them to talk about it. No one wants to have someone air their dirty laundry for the world to read.
That’s my short list. What are some dos and don’ts that you practice? Comment below, I would love to hear them!
Great short list! excellent ideas and enjoyed the article. Thanks and great job today!
Thanks Patricia!!
My favorite on your do list… is do respond.
I have some for you… DO share & educate. It doesn’t have to be all of your stuff, you can share information & articles from people you respect in your field – things that other business owners may find useful.
And DO NOT sell sell sell… the quickest way to turn me off is to come guns blazing selling in every single post. Educate, inform and offer… once you’ve educate and informed your audience, they would be happy to get an offer from you. 🙂
I love yours Joyce! For most of my clients I incorporate a good percentage of educational posts. People will trust those who are helping them! I agree with the sell ones too – that is the quickest way for me to unfollow or unlike someone! Thank you for your additions!!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing such an informative post!
You’re welcome Anita!
Funny how it seems so simple and logical, but so easy to forget…thanks for the reminders!
You are welcome Lorrie!
Great tips! Sometimes we need to be reminded of the simple things that can have a huge impact!
I agree Denny!
Great points! I approach my social media by thinking about it from the view’s perspective. If I wouldn’t follow someone that does that, then I don’t do it! 🙂
I try to think the same way too Theresa!
You my Dear are awesome! I could not have said it better and I have been working in social media with my businesses since 2003. It’s all about being social and building relationships. When people understand that they can really grow their business.
You are too sweet Liz 🙂
Wow Mandy! 95% of comments are not responded to on Facebook by a business, that just seems crazy! Thanks for the post and the great reminders!!
I am still blown away by that stat too Gretchen!!
Thanks for the reminder! It sometimes looks so easy yet I get “lost” and forget some of the most important basics!
You’re welcome! Sometimes we all (including myself) need the reminders 🙂
Those simple dos and don’ts of social media are great tips, Mandy! I think we all need reminders in these busy times and I thank you for that! I had no idea that so many businesses weren’t responding very much (like wow…95%?). That is huge!
Thanks Sherie! I still can’t wrap my head around that stat! I’ve seen it in 2 different places too!
What a great collection of simple tips! I like the permission not to use a particular platform if you know you won’t use it consistently. Especially with the learning curve, it can seem daunting to learn everything at once, and too easy to leave the harder platforms behind (create an account then never use it). Thanks for the great info, Mandy
Thanks Pauline! I may get criticized for saying that, but it’s the truth. There’s nothing worse than finding someone on one of the platforms, liking or following them, then they are never there.
Thank you for great reminders of what works powerfully in social media! I remember when I was just starting out on Twitter, and each response I received was precious – so I began responding to others. Its amazing how all of us just want to be heard!
I agree Ronae! People just want to be acknowledged.
Thanks for keeping it simple! A lot of times people make using social media more difficult than it really is. Your straight forward tips will make sure our use of socila media doesn’t become overwhelming.
Thanks Benecia!
DO be real, is one I’d add. Yes, I do want to hear about your offers and special deals…but I also want to KNOW YOU, as the face/personality behind your business.
GREAT list here!
I agree Elise!! I don’t want to think I’m talking to a robot!!
Great Article! Loved it!
Thanks Jennifer!!
Love your tips! I have found that just being myself and being authentic are key!
Being authentic is very important! Thanks Sue!
My biggest problem: Incomplete profiles. I will get on that. I am not a dud, I am a really cool gal 🙂 but no one will know this [I see] if I exclude information. The exclusion is not intentional I just don’t have the right answers yet…can’t narrow down my mission statement for example…
Very informative post, thanks!
Thanks Suzanne! I know you’re not a dud 🙂
Great info! Thanks for sharing these wonderful tips!
Thanks Lorii!
Mandy, great information. Thank you for the tips. I used to have someone write me if I had a typo on facebook. I think she may have missed the mark on social media “don’t.”
That’s funny Carol because I’ve had the same thing happen to me!
Excellent post! Thanks for sharing these tips that often are forgotten:)
Thanks Dr. Daisy!
The one that always gets me is not responding to comments. It’s like if someone talks to you physically, do we not respond? I feel it’s kind of like the same thing. At least, like if you don’t have time for more and you’ve acknowledged you read…. I wrote a post specifically on this, really gets to me. 🙂 Can you tell I’m passionate about it? Tee-hee-hee… Great post MANDY! I love your articles…
I agree Norma!! We wouldn’t ignore someone in-person, who why do we online? THANKS!!!
Very true Mandy! Great post!
Thanks Tony!
I agree I do the same -if they do not complete the profile I will not follow–thanks for the points. Very informative
Thanks Linda!
Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
Wonderful information! Thanks, for sharing it. Have a wonderful weekend, Mandy 🙂
Awesome information. So simple yet overlooked.
great infos, thanks
Great info! 😉
Ooh. Great points here. Thanks, for sharing! – Designer Rob Russo
Thanks for sharing this info…great stuff to know!
Thanks for the great reminders!
Wonderful article! Great tips to get started.
great tips… love them so much, I shared them on my page too 🙂
Great info! I will be sharing!
Great share!
Great article! Thanks for the reminder!!
Simple and easy tips but so good!
Great Tips! Thanks for sharing and reminding me to Respond to Everything!
Great tips are simple to implement and highly effective. These get “A’s” on both counts! Thanks for a wonderful post!! 🙂
Thanks Beth!!
Great tips! They seem so simple and “common sense” but they aren’t really, right? Great reminders! Thanks!
Thanks Frances!
These are great tips. I do tend to have a hard time responding to every retweet and every post, even from my iphone. Sometimes I feel bad replying a day later, if that’s when I figured it out, but I do it anyway. I still need a more time efficient way to handle my social media.
Thanks Gina! It can get daunting responding, but using a social media management program makes it easier 🙂
Love your thoughts. Thanks for the article. One other thing that I just don’t like and which will cause me to stop paying attention to that business is when it is ALL sales related and posts that feel like badgering and NO and I mean NO pleasantries. I want to deal with a person.
I agree Pat! I want to talk with a person, not an automated machine 🙂
These are great tips Mandy. It is important to respond when people post on your wall. Thanks!
Thanks Lori!!
These are such practical and important reminders, thanks Mandy. I’m bad about incomplete profiles, even though I know how wrong it is. It seems that when I set up my accounts I’m always in a hurry. I vow to come back and fill it all in “later” – but when oh when does “later” ever come . . . My Pinterest profile is still empty, but you’ve inspired me to do better!
This is something I need to do more research into, thanks for the publish.
Thank you for your blog. Will read on…
Great tips! Thanks for sharing. Love your tweets!
Excellent post, as always Mandy! Thank you!
These are great tips Mandy! Your list is short but makes many great points! One other “don’t” I keep encountering is DM messages on Twitter offering me the services I provide. Obviously it’s an automated response, which is why I don’t use those!