4 Misconceptions About Social Media Marketing

Social media has become a huge part of our society. It connects people of different backgrounds all around the world, which makes it a great resource for marketers to harness. But there are some misconceptions floating around about using social media for marketing, and these could be harmful to your marketing campaign. If you’re new to the industry and don’t know the specifics about what goes into an effective social media marketing strategy, it can be easy to get caught up in these misconceptions, which can be damaging since one third of millennials prefer social media-based communication when interacting with businesses. In order to prevent the loss of possible customers as you get your brand voice out there, here are the top misconceptions of social media marketing and how to avoid them.[bctt tweet="The top 4 misconceptions of #socialmedia marketing (+ how to do it right)—@RspnsvInbndMktg"]

The Top 4 Myths About Social Media Marketing:

1. Myth—Any Social Media Platform Will Work For My Business

Just because you’re posting to a social media site doesn’t mean you’re reaching your audience. A large number of businesses don’t realize that, much like print resources, certain crowds are drawn to certain platforms. Seventy percent of Americans have at least a single social media profile, so it’s up to you to determine which social platforms your target audience is likely to be using.

Let’s break it down. It’s well known that the top places to post are LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, but who does each one attract? LinkedIn is strictly professional, so if you’re in business, this is where your audience is going to be. But if you’re in the entertainment industry, Twitter is the best platform for you. It’s a great way to casually interact with the masses while promoting your work. Because Google+ never really caught on with the majority of the world, it can help you reach a segmented group of tech experts. If your audience is drawn in by interesting content, Facebook is a useful place since it’s not a platform where you spend your time re-blogging content.[bctt tweet="Posting content on #social doesn’t mean you’re reaching your audience, says @RspnsvInbndMktg"]

2. Myth—Social Media Will Undermine Traditional Channels

If your business has a social media account, it means your other, more traditional platforms are going to fall through the cracks and those customers who can’t keep up will be left behind, right? Well, the truth of the matter is, as long as people are still responding to traditional channels, they’re going to remain in use.

Sure, most people have cell phones, but landlines are still in use. Maybe current social media channels are more efficient, but if they don’t extend to all of your client base, the efficiency factor is worthless. Only 30% of people over 60 use social media. That’s a large part of the population who you might still want to target, depending on your clientele. There’s no reason for an either-or situation if there are benefits to both. If you’re not sure which age group you want to target, it can be helpful to do some A/B testing to determine what your audience is more receptive to so you can plan your strategy.[bctt tweet="Use A/B testing to determine which channels your audience is most receptive to—@RspnsvInbndMktg"]

3. Myth—Social Media is Only for Big Businesses

There’s an idea floating around that big businesses with recognizable logos are the only companies that can have strong presences on social media. If you’re part of a startup or small business, it may seem like your profiles would get overshadowed by others who are pouring large amounts of money into their marketing campaigns, but the truth of the matter is that social media is a great way to start getting your name out there.

Sixty-one percent of startups use social media marketing, so even though it may feel like you’re surrounded by large companies stealing your spotlight, in reality they make up less than half the marketing campaigns on the web. By providing quality content on a regular basis and interacting with possible customers, young companies can use social media as a cheap way to promote their brands. It’s not an easy form of communication and it takes a lot of attention, but it’s worth the effort.[bctt tweet="61% of startups use #socialmediamarketing, says @RspnsvInbndMktg"]

4. Myth—Posting Randomly And Often Will Work

Just because a business posts a lot on social media doesn’t mean they’re making an impact. Many believe social media marketing is an easy job that anyone can do, but in order to draw in the right crowd and convert them to leads, you must know how to social media market correctly. Otherwise, you’re going to be left with pointless followers who do nothing to help your business.

First, deliver content that is relevant to the people you want to attract. It can be from your own site or someone else’s, but your goal is to draw in the right buyer. Otherwise, they aren’t going to be interested in what you’re selling. Second, post at the most opportune times. The afternoon is best for Twitter and Facebook, while the evening is great for LinkedIn and Google+. Third, don’t forget to interact with your followers. Reply to them, retweet them, and so forth so that you can entice their followers as well. If you follow all three of these rules, you will gain the right followers, brand recognition, and customers.[bctt tweet="#SocialMediaMarketing is pointless if it isn't done correctly + strategically, says @RspnsvInbndMktg"]

By looking at all four of these social media marketing misconceptions, it becomes obvious that this is not an easy undertaking, but if you do it correctly, it becomes extremely effective. Just make sure you have the correct tools to form the best social followings for your business to flourish. That way, you gain more convertible leads. If you’re interested in learning more about social media marketing, click here to download a free eBook today.