Social media moves fast. You can blink and miss the latest social media trends—and if you’re not keeping up, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking things won’t really change that much. That’s how even the most experienced marketers start believing myths about social media and ultimately compromise the results they get, either for themselves or their clients.
Here are a few myths you may be tempted to believe—see how you stack up!
#1: My Customers Aren’t on Social Media
Even though you may have an anecdote about an uncle that refuses to have a digital footprint or a friend who is taking a social media hiatus—that’s not the norm. There are 3.6 billion social media users worldwide, and that number is expected to increase in the future.
There’s a social media platform out there for everyone and everything. For instance, family and friends usually connect on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. But professionals and businesses usually connect on platforms like LinkedIn.
In today’s digital age, the question isn’t “Should my business be on social media?” but instead, “Which platforms are best for my target market?”
#2: You Need to Be on Every Platform
Don’t waste precious time and sanity trying to maintain a profile on every social media platform. Just don’t do it. Your social media manager will thank you. Instead, dedicate your time and resources to the platforms that most closely match your audience and marketing tactics.
That doesn’t mean you’re not welcome to try new platforms. Feel free to give it a shot, but rely on the data to tell you if it’s worth your time and effort. Don’t be afraid to take down your profile and move back to your tried and true!
#3: Quantity Doesn’t Matter, Only Quality
When it comes to followers, quality definitely does matter. But quantity itself ensures a certain level of quality. Just because a new follower lives outside your service area or ideal demographic doesn’t mean that they’re useless.
Just remember:
- You now have access to all of their friends and followers—who could be in your sales territory or target demographic.
- They can refer your business or organization to family and friends.
- It helps your SEO when they share your content, no matter who they are or where they are.
#4: You Have to Respond Right Away
While it is important to respond to messages and comments in a timely manner, it’s not necessary to respond immediately.
Your social media audience should understand that you’re a real person with a real life running a real business. You don’t have to live on social media waiting to respond to each and every comment or message.
The one exception? If there’s a public-facing negative comment that could damage your brand’s hard-earned reputation, you need to jump on that as soon as possible!
#5: Social Media Doesn’t Drive Your Bottom Line
We saved the most important one for last! While social media is a great place to have a conversation with your audience, that’s not the only way it creates value for your business or organization. Social media can absolutely generate more customers and more sales.
Each platform has its benefits, but we’re going to hit you with some statistics from the top players.
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- 54% of social browsers use social media to research products (Global Web Index)
- 70% of marketers use Facebook Ads (Social Media Examiner)
- 92% of all user interactions on Twitter come from link clinks (HubSpot)
- 87% of Instagram users have taken action after seeing product information, including 54% making a purchase (Facebook Business)
- 82% of Linkedin marketers have found success (LinkedIn Marketing Solutions)
- 54% of people want marketers to produce more video content (HubSpot)
Now What?
Now that you’ve busted the major myths behind social media marketing, you can avoid them in your own social media strategy. Social media is constantly changing and evolving, so be sure to stay up-to-date on the latest research and tactics.
Want to learn more about how you can improve your social media strategy? Let us know! We’re happy to put our social media expertise to work for you.