7 Social Media Myths and Misconceptions

     Social media marketing is anything but straight forward. Applications are constantly developing and changing, rolling out new features in different corners of the world without notice. This makes it even more important to stay on top of new updates and trends for each platform you use. It also makes it important to be aware of myths and misconceptions that develop as millions of people across the globe attempt to make sense of each platform’s algorithm. While we dream of the day each platform releases a weekly statement regarding updates and changes to their algorithm, we are not holding our breath. Here are 7 common myths and misconceptions you need to know to get the most out of your social media marketing efforts. 

1. You should completely avoid negative comments and reviews
2. My business doesn’t need social media
3. Your follower/following ratio matters
4. You should be on every social media platform
5. You have to respond to comments and DMs immediately
6. Social media marketing does not help increase revenue
7. Only young people are on social media
   

You Should Completely Avoid Negative Comments and Reviews

     It’s important to always treat customers and users with respect. This means responding to customer feedback, good and bad. With negative reviews, it's not about always being right. It’s about making sure that your business is visibly listening and caring about each customer's experience. There will be hundreds if not thousands of potential customers that see these interactions, so it's important to handle these situations accordingly. Remember, 64% of people would rather message than call a business, so developing a process for customer service on social media will certainly increase your chances of a positive experience for both you and your customers.

My Business Doesn't Need Social Media

     While there are businesses who have success without social media, opting out of social networks entirely is a missed opportunity. Social media networks present the chance for you to connect with people and users that you might not connect with otherwise. This leads to more opportunities. Even if your client list is full, social media has the ability to increase the supply of potential jobs. Increased supply = increased opportunities = more options for your business.

Your Follower/Following Ratio Matters

     This ratio has been sought after by many - and it’s not hard to see why. The people with the most followers (often celebrities) have always been able to maintain a high follower count compared to a low following count, making them seem (for lack of a better term), popular. This has trickled down and convinced the masses that it's a ratio worth considering when building an account. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the only thing your follower/following ratio feeds is ego. Instagram uses its algorithm to provide users with the most relevant, and quality content for them. Which means the best way to build your account is to nurture your following, while reaching new users. If you sacrifice a follower who normally engages with your content by unfollowing them, you are sacrificing valuable engagement. And engagement is one of the most important things you need for the instagram algorithm to push your content out to new users via the explore page.

You Should Be on Every Social Media Platform

     Not every social media network will be the best fit for your business. Take the opportunity to give each platform a chance, you may find some networks that work better than expected. You’re also likely to find a couple that don’t work well for your business. When you do, close your account and redirect your resources towards another option. Once you find out which networks best help you reach your goals, take advantage of them. At the end of the day, your time and resources should only be spent on the networks that align with your audience and marketing strategy.

You Have to Respond to Comments and DMs Immediately

     While providing quality customer service is important, this does not always mean responding as quickly as possible. You will find situations where a slower response time won’t hurt your business, and times where it could even help it. For example, when making a post, it can be helpful to like the comments on your previous post. These users will receive a notification from you, and they might click on your page as well, to find you have posted again. These users have also already interacted with your account so they are more likely to engage with your most recent post as well. That being said, for customer service inquiries, a speedy response can help clients and customers walk away with a pleasant experience.

Social Media Marketing Does Not Help Increase Revenue

     You can achieve much more than engagement and community building on social media networks. Social media WILL help increase your customer base, if used correctly. 54% of Gen Z and 49% of millennials say they prefer receiving ads on social media over any other source. This is not a surprise as social media has the potential to target users much more effectively than traditional methods of advertisement. Simply put, when you create an ad for television or radio, there is little to no precision when it comes to your results and data collected. Social media advertising allows you to target in numerous ways, as well as collect valuable data allowing you to pivot and refine your strategies along the way. A well ran social media campaign has the ability to make a dramatic impact on your bottom line.

Only Young People Are on Social Media

     While social media’s popularity began with younger demographics, it has become home to users of all ages. In fact, 55% of all facebook users are over the age of 35. With that said, it is important to understand who your target audience is, and where they spend most of their time on social media. This will allow you to direct your social media marketing efforts in the most efficient way possible. For example, 67% of people ages 18-29 are on Instagram, so if this is your target audience, it is worth spending time developing Instagram specific strategies.

     Developing a social media strategy for your business is a task that needs constant attention. It begins with understanding your target audience and where they spend their time. After that, you must become and remain informed on best practices for the platforms your business uses. As these enormous companies develop their algorithms, the masses will often jump to conclusions that are not correct. Always remain vigilant and willing to research conclusions you make with respect to each platform’s algorithm. Failing to do so can result in misguided strategies and time spent on executing a less than optimal marketing strategy. Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the most recent updates on social media. We are New Day Marketing and we are here to make sure you are getting the absolute most out of your social media marketing efforts.