The Dos and Don’ts of Social Media in 2016

It’s 2016 and you’re coming out of the gate with enthusiasm! This is the year your business is going to shine on social media! There’s only one problem. The unwritten code of conduct keeps changing.  Don’t worry! We’re going to clear up the mystery for you right now with our top five guidelines for managing your social media platforms.

Be Human!

It doesn’t matter which social media platforms you use, all of them were created for building relationships. Automated tweets and posts make it easier to manage multiple social media accounts, but engaging with your audience is paramount when you’re building your brand online. People like to connect and interact with other people so schedule out some content, but don’t forget to be available to your fans and followers.  You definitely attract higher quality followers if you’re willing to go the extra mile and let them see your human side.

Your Reputation is Your Brand

Everything you post and tweet is a reflection of your business, even when you’re speaking as a private individual, so be mindful about what you share on the internet. If you’re passionate about a particular social or political issue, choose your words and your audience wisely. We all have opinions, and while there isn’t anything wrong with discussing your viewpoint with friends and family, it’s in your best interest to keep it out of the public eye unless you’re running for office. Facebook is one of the few platforms where you can express yourself without damaging your reputation if you understand how to use custom lists.

Fact Check!

Nothing will diminish your credibility faster than posting or tweeting misinformation. Verify that the source you acquired the information from is trustworthy. If you’re quoting a statistic, it’s best to trace it back to its original publication. In situations where you don’t have access to the original source, make sure you can confirm the validity of your statement by using three legitimate sources for the same statistic. Wikipedia is a valuable tool, but it isn’t considered a reliable source.

Continuity is Key

There’s a trend growing out there that is flooding news feeds with disconnected information. Consistency is extremely important across all your marketing channels. The message should be clear no matter who is creating and managing your content. Keep your team informed about changes to your strategy. The more they know about your brand and the short and long term goals of your company, the easier it will be for them to promote it.

Test! Test! Test!

Pew Research Center has some great statistics about the best days and times to post to get the most traction, but anticipate a lot of trial and error before you hit the sweet spot for your target market. Each platform has conditioned its users to expect a specific content-delivery style. What works on Facebook won’t work on Twitter if you’re using the same structure. Change it up to fit the audience that uses the social media platform you’re marketing on.

The introduction of new social media platforms and the constant changes to existing ones requires continuous effort to evolve and learn new approaches to marketing your brand. Be bold! Step outside your current method and shake things up! This is how you will stay relevant and move forward as you grow your business.

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Published On: Jan 9, 2016