Social Media Don'ts

DIY Sprocket Solutions

This article has been updated on 10/25/2022 with the article entitled “Avoid these Faux Pas in your Business Social Media.” 

We've all seen them -cringeworthy posts on social media that we wish we could take back for the other person.  I've had severe secondhand embarrassment for someone who posted a questionable status or photo on social media.  Selfie on a toilet anyone?  A completely insensitive joke with a hashtag #toosoon?  Now let's translate that to brands on social media.  Brands are not immune to social media faux pas.  There are a few safe bets when it comes to social media don'ts.

Let me lay it out for those who haven't gotten the memo:

Questionable Humor

You might think that your off-color jokes are hilarious, and that may be true in a more personal setting with people who know you well, but remember that you are representing your brand.  Offending your readers isn't exactly the look you want for your business.  You should be engaging with followers, not pushing them away with your "humor".  There's nothing wrong with bringing a little humor to your social media platforms, just make sure that your humor isn't offensive to your customers.  

Polarizing Views/Inapropriate Commentary

Businesses have been known to take political stands from time to time.  Remember that they've also received a lot of flack from those stances a majority of the time.  If you are going to declare an extreme view you might have or make some thoughtless commentary on a current topic, remember that you have plenty of people who will be more than willing to push back.  Some may even boycott your company altogether.  I'm not saying don't stand for anything in your life.  I'm saying keep it professional.  Your business social media accounts don't have to be your soap boxes.

Thoughtless Hashtags 

Stepping away from the foot-in-mouth examples for a minute, remember the power of hashtags.  If you are running a social media campaign for your business and you are throwing hashtags thoughtlessly around like nothing, you aren't doing anything to actually help your brand gain any sort of exposure.  In fact, hashtags can be harmful if not used carefully.  Be sure to check out what is trending with that hashtag before you attach your brand's name to it.  Also, know that using a consistent hashtag for your brand may come back to bite you later if people begin using that hashtag to give bad reviews, complain about your business, etc.  Be mindful of the power of a hashtag!

Retweeting Unread Posts

Don't retweet a post you haven't read! You may glance and think that the info might be relevant to your brand or funny to your customers.  You click retweet and BAM someone tells you that you've just directed them to some poorly written or incorrect article.  Maybe even something worse than that.  Check your facts.  A retweet for your brand is equal to a recommendation to that link.  Make sure it's something worth recommending!

Using Poor Grammar

You are representing a brand! (Have I said that enough in this post?!) Customers want to trust a brand in order to do business with them.  Would you trust a travel agency that didn't know how to spell 'agency'?  I wouldn't!  This is a professional representation of your brand.  Give your customers a good impression of your company.  Take time and care with your posts.  Simple mistakes in your posts show the customer that it's easy for you to overlook small details.  This can translate into problems for them.  No one is interested in that.

Well, there you have it.  A few points to get you started at least.  Social media marketing does not have to be your downfall.  In fact, it can be one of your brand's greatest strengths.  Just remember what not to do and use your power for good instead of evil and all that.

Any more social media don'ts you'd like to share?  Comment below!

Breanne BannonBreanne Bannon

Breanne is a Content Writer, Social Media Marketeer, and Sales Associate for Sprocket Websites.

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