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common social media marketing mistakes to avoid

Kim McNerney • Mar 12, 2024

social media is a constantly adapting and evolving necessity for small businesses in today's world, and it can be both a blessing and a curse for the solopreneur trying to do-it-all (believe us, we've been there!)

when used properly, social media can be SUCH a powerful tool to connect with your audience, build your small business brand, and ultimately drive growth. however, we all know that social media marketing can be a bit daunting, and mistakes are common... and can be a HUGE expense of time for those already lacking extra. at KAE consulting we've seen firsthand how certain common mistakes can hinder a brand's online potential, and it's so exciting to see when those faux-pas are reversed! we thought we'd share some of the common pitfalls to steer clear of to help you create a social media plan that is engaging, efficient, and above all CONVERTS!


1. not having a plan

this is a big one. one of the most significant mistakes brands make is approaching social media without a clear, cohesive strategy. as highlighted by HubSpot in this article, having a deep understanding of your own business and where you want to go is key. a great way of starting this can be by completing a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) of your own business in order to identify what you want to focus on with your social media strategy. define your goals, and ultimately, measure success by adjusting, monitoring, & controlling. in short.. an arrow without a target misses 100% of the time.


2. ignoring the trends

trends in marketing & design are constantly shifting, so if you're going to delve into social media on a professional level, it's important to make sure you're paying attention to shifts in trends. no one wants to be the person posting a meme that is no longer funny because everyone has already seen it float through their newsfeed 50 times. platforms like Social Media Examiner offer valuable insights into the latest trends and best practices in the industry, and can often help you keep tabs on what is relevant... and what might no longer be.


3. overlooking audience engagement

so many people in the digital marketing world with tell you 'content is KING!' - well..... over here in social media world, we are here to tell you that content is great and all, but social media is for being social. it doesn't mean much if you push out a whole ton of awesome content and then don't engage with your audience. creating meaningful interactions and literally making friends is what it's all about! make sure you are responding to comments, participating in conversations, and encouraging user-generated content - these are all crucial elements of a successful social media strategy.


4. inconsistent branding across platforms

no one loves going to a beautiful website and then clicking on their social links only to find a completely different impression! make sure you are putting effort into not only your social, but your website, logo, and overall digital presence. these consistencies make sure your business information is recognizable across platforms. no one wants to be confused as to whether they are on the right social media page, or the right website for that matter! Canva.com is one tool we LOVE for creating a consistent brand - they actually have a tool where you can save your fonts & colors, browse fonts, save ideas and templates, and so much more!


5. not checking your analytics

we always say anything worth doing is worth doing well. data is a goldmine of insights, but we find that when people think of social media they think it's.. well.. only social. don't leave your results up to chance! by neglecting this information, you miss out on crucial insights that could inform and improve your strategy. we love this article by Forbes that discusses key components of a social media strategy, one of which is adjust. monitor. control. without it, you are on the long and time-intensive road to nowhere.


social media marketing is a valuable (and necessary!) tool for businesses, but can often be a huge time sap if not implemented correctly. looking for a little extra professional support to make your efforts worthwhile? Give us a shout!

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