Social Media: Top 10 Misconceptions – Don’t Believe Everything You Hear

You hear a lot about social media these days as being the “golden goose” for your business. While social media has much to offer your business, it’s not all peaches and cream.

Here is a list of some popular misconceptions about social media:

1. Social Media is Just A Bunch of Teenagers Posting What They Had For Breakfast

At first glance, it may look as though social media is just a group of people shouting back and forth at one another. However if you do it right, social media can be a powerful tool.

Contests, giveaways and other such promotions can be very effective when used together with social media. Good content is also important. If you have a great article or a video on your website with educational or entertainment value, share it with others. It has the possibility of going viral and can give you the kind of exposure money just can’t buy. Just ask Rebecca Black.

2. You Have to Be on EVERY Social Network

You can be on all the social networks in the world, but if you don’t use any of them effectively, you’re better of not being on any of them. Just remember Scarecrow, It’s not the number of social networks you’re on, it’s how effectively you use them. (I’m paraphrasing The Wizard of Oz here)

3. ANYONE Can Succeed at Social Media

Despite how easy the “experts” make it sound, not everybody is cut out for social media. Not everybody has what it takes to succeed with social media. Whether you have someone such as Bower Web Solutions maintain your social media campaign or wish to totally take on this responsibility yourself, you need to be involved in your company’s social media efforts to some degree.

4. Social Media Will Replace Face-to-Face Networking

People have and always will prefer face-to-face communication over all other forms of communication. That is the reason why organizations such as Chamber of Commerces and BNI (Business Network International) continue to be popular. Interested in increasing your exposure with your local Chamber of Commerce or join a BNI chapter? Contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

5. Social Media Can be Used As A Replacement Your Website

Websites aren’t a luxury, they are a necessity. I am surprised how companies on Facebook, Twitter, etc. do not have a website of their own, not even a blog. This is bad for several reasons. First, search engines are content driven vehicles. While you may have a nice profile on Facebook, it is not the same as having good content on a website. Secondly, you have complete control over the content on your website, as opposed to social network profiles which have limitations and also have somewhat strict guidelines.

6. Blogging Doesn’t Work

Blogging works, but just like any marketing effort, it has to be done right. Unfortunately, most marketers don’t have a plan when it comes to blogging. If you don’t have a game plan, you are DESTINED to fail. You have to post often and refresh your content regularly to keep visitors coming back. It also means you have to figure out an effective way to monetize your website so that it’s profitable, whether that be through Google Adsense or by some other means.

7. You Can’t Measure ROI With Social Media

Professional marketers easily track and measure their social media Return on Investment (ROI) by using analytic software like Google Analytics. For example, Google Analytics will allow you to track visitors coming from social networks and the actions they took. You can do this by setting up “Goals” in Google Analytics to see which links you are tracking generate the most activity.

8. Social Media is Time Consuming

IF you are disciplined, you use social media effectively and spend less than fifteen minutes a day combined on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Yes, it’s fun to hang out with your friends all day and socialize. But it’s not the best use of your time. True professionals realize, there’s a time and place for everything.

9. Social Media Isn’t Right for My Kind Of Business

Does your business need to generate new leads? Web Traffic? Increase your site engine rankings? Provide support? Give your customers a platform to give feedback and suggestions? If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, social media is right for your company.

10. Set It and Forget It

While this may be true for a convection oven you see advertised on an infomercial, this is definitely NOT true for social media profile pages. Do you know what happens when you create a profile page on a social network and do not promote it? Nothing. Absolutely NOTHING will happen. Many people think all they have to do is create a profile page on the various social networks and somehow people will magically appear at their doorstep. Sorry, it simply doesn’t work that way. Creating a profile is only the FIRST step. You have to CONSTANTLY promote your social media links and actively participate in those social networks to engage and interact with your audience.

Feel feel to contact us with any questions you have regarding social media to promote your business. We’re alway happy to help!