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Top 5 Social Media MYTHS Of 2020 BUSTED - So Your Online Business Can Succeed In 2021

 

Top 5 Social Media MYTHS Of 2020 BUSTED


Social media is the brave new world of marketing that is in a constant state of change and growth, so when we try to wrap our heads around it, it can be easy to fall into the trap of the generalizations overheard online constantly.
In this article we are going to take a look at the all-too-common myths about social media, and let you in on the straight scoop.




Myth #1: Social Media Is Free

Yes. Setting up a Facebook page, Twitter account, Pinterest boards or just about any other popular social media account is completely free. And you can post and tweet to your heart's content without ever paying a cent. But, as soon as you acknowledge that your social media efforts should be in tune with all your other marketing efforts, then you will quickly see that in order to make social media effective for you, it is going to take plenty of time and money before you begin to see a return on your investment. After all, the nature of social media is that it takes time to build, shape and ultimately grow.




Myth #2: Social Media Doesn't Require a Plan; Just Be Social!

Think again. This is no Miss Congeniality contest. Just like all of your online marketing efforts, you need to take time to understand your audience, find the best way to add value to your relationship through whatever social media tool you're integrating, and most importantly, be sure that your efforts ultimately track back to your overall strategy and business objectives. Have the end in sight before you begin.




Myth #3: Sharing Your Personal Moments Helps An Online Business

Tweet about some inside scoop, a special event, a new product line, a new addition to your staff or some exciting company news, but leave the boring personal stuff, like what you had for lunch, out of the mix.
Remember who your customer is and what will matter to them, and let that drive your content, regardless of which social media tool you're using.




Myth #4: Your Targeted Audience Is Not Social

Resist the urge to think that only those under the age of 25 are on social media. It simply isn't true. With over 2.7 billion monthly active users on Facebook, over 330 million on Twitter and with Pinterest pulling in more than 335 million people every month, chances are there is a slice of the social media pie just waiting for you to connect with them.

older people using social media




Myth #5: The Corner Office Will Never Buy Into Social Media

This may be true if you're talking to them like a teenager raving about the coolest new gadget that they just have to have. No, actually, something as simple as the 'correct presentation' can change everything. Start winning their "buy-in" by talking their language - hard numbers. Show them the online data and analytics that translates "likes", "repins" and "tweets" into reach, awareness and engagement. Then, make a direct correlation between social media and that particular company's business goals, and you'll have those execs ready to give you the green light in no time!




So, there are your 5 social media myths.. busted!



Ok, so what's next?
Well, now that you've rid yourself of any urban legends about social media, how do you know which social media channel is the right one for your objectives? To answer that question, we will need to take a closer look at each social media platform..




Basic Guidelines To Help You Understand And Benefit From Each Platform

 FACEBOOK

Face it. Say the words “social media” and many people will instantly think of Facebook. It's one of the most relevant and widespread platforms for social networking today. With over 2.7 billion users worldwide, it has become an acceptable place for consumers to connect with the brands they love.
On average, three quarters of fans are likely to share good brand experiences and share promotions and discounts with their Facebook friends. Plus, over 76% of Facebook users login at least once a day. In fact, if improving your online brand awareness is on your to-do list, then Facebook should be at the top of that list.
It can make your company more visible to your fans, and the friends of those fans. Another plus to FB, is the Facebook insights tool, where companies can view reports detailing new fans, numbers of interaction and types of actions taken on their pages.
So, if numbers and social-proof play a big part in your online marketing campaigns, I believe using Facebook really goes without saying.





 TWITTER

Clocking in at just over 330 million active users, Twitter may have fewer active users than Facebook, but it has a distinctly unique audience that is tuned-in and worthy of tapping into.
It is important to remember that those who "tweet" and "retweet" are generally interested in what's happening right this second. The average brand tweets approximately 4-5 times daily. Although, many of those that tweet more frequently than that have a chance of catching readers at different times of day, and, in-turn, gain more followers.
Make keywords (hashtags) a habit in your tweets, so as to send a consistent signal that tells others who you are, how you want to connect with them and what you want to talk about.
So Twitter can be a great way to promote products, services, free giveaways, contests, guest appearances and anything that feels newsworthy about your business. Every tweet or interaction allows you to further shape your customers' perception of your brand whether you are based in B2B or B2C business'.
The main thing to remember when using Twitter, is that unlike the other social media platforms, everything is very fast, so don't make one tweet and think you will grow an audience over time from that single post. Keep tweeting, and if you're promoting the same business/company in each tweet, simply mix-it up and make every tweet unique in it's own way, but still portray your desired message.





 PINTEREST

Even now, in 2021, it seems like Pinterest has grown overnight into the third largest social media site out there. It's adored predominantly by women and has proven to be a solid traffic-driver for retailers, providing more referral traffic than Youtube and LinkedIn combined!
In fact, a Wayfair study from a few years ago showed that shoppers referred by Pinterest are 10% more likely to make a purchase than visitors who arrive from other social networks, including Facebook and Twitter. They'll also spend 10% more on average. If your brand or business has a visual story to tell (and I know they all do), then by all means go straight to Pinterest and start creating boards and pinning your best photos and videos. Most importantly though; be relevant! Create boards and pin items that appeal to every segment of your customer base. This is your opportunity to speak to all your audience segments. To attract new followers and keep them engaged, and provide new content regularly.
Create a new board or pin to an existing board at least once a day, seven days a week. Your Pinterest presence can engage customers (try a photo contest that encourages your customers to submit photos with your product), support your branding, and drive organic targeted traffic to your site.





YOUTUBE

Youtube is considered the second most used search engine following Google. That's right, I said "search engine". Youtube visitors search for videos and spend a relatively long time on the site (an average of 23 minutes). So if you have videos already featured on your website or blog, then it's easy to start your own channel, tag it with your most important keywords, then let this search engine bring prospects and customers to you.
Generally speaking, a good average length for a Youtube video is less than 4 minutes. Telling a story in two to three minutes will help ensure that the entire message gets viewed. If you are of a certain age, you will most likely remember the 'Dijon' mustard brand; 'Grey Poupon' for their advertisements branding the mustard as the "luxury condiment". Images of a butler and a limousine were synonymous with Grey Poupon.
Don't let your video become a hit without providing branding on who you are and how people can get in touch with you. Include a call-to-action in your video description. Monitor how often your videos are seen, then start crafting a plan for future videos that would support your overall business objectives.





 LINKEDIN

Highly considered as the first social media stop for B2B, LinkedIn is the virtual water cooler for professionals. LinkedIn is the ideal platform for online marketers, business owners and entrepreneurs to network, test industry waters, make connections with colleagues, recruit staff, join like-minded groups and flush out sales and leads.
If you have staff working for your business, encourage them to follow your LinkedIn page. Also, be sure to email your existing contact database with a request that they follow your page, place a 'Follow' and 'Share' button on your website or blog, and cross-promote your page on other social channels, including LinkedIn Groups, Twitter, etc.
Optimizing your LinkedIn company page content is a good bet. To improve your page's searchability, make sure you embed the correct keywords; the ones your customers are most likely to use naturally.
LinkedIn Insights also form an important part of developing your business page. These insights are exhaustive in nature and provide you with a thorough breakdown of impressions per post, user engagement, follower demographics, and so on.





 BLOGS

This is an easy first step for those who haven't dipped their toes in the social media waters yet. Add a blog to your current website and use it to build your brand awareness, show your brand's personality, connect with consumers in a real and genuine way, and showcase your expertise and knowledge in your field.
Blogging content is fueled by you which can then be integrated into your other channels, like Facebook posts, Twitter streams, etc. Don't think this should just be a regurgitation of your latest brochure though. Your blog posts should have a tone and focus that makes readers feel that they're sitting across the table from you, chatting over coffee.
Also make sure your blog and blog titles include keywords that people enter into search engines. This will attract new organic traffic to your site. Also post on a regular schedule. Companies that publish more than four blog-posts a month see more traffic and get better results.
Personally, if you have the time, I recommend a minimum of one quality blog post every week.







Feel free to leave your comments below and share any ideas of your own!

To your success,
Jonny Tyson



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