What NOT to do with Your Social Media Channels

Marni Weinberg - June 17, 2011

For better or for worse, most companies have added social media into their overall marketing strategy at this point. For better, meaning they got started and are now actively engaging with their community of likes (on Facebook) , followers (on Twitter) and connections (on LinkedIn). For worse, meaning they dove into the pool without even knowing how to doggy paddle, without first testing the water temperature and without a plan. A bad combination if you ask me. Now they are barely (if at all) staying active.

One of the biggest mistakes a company can make is to begin Social Media without a strategy. Below are a few things you should NOT do with your Social Media channels.

• Set them up and do nothing. This is way too common and is simply not acceptable. If you are not ready to embrace Social Media head on, don’t do it at all.
• Get started with your channels and then after a month or two, just stop cold turkey. Again, if you are not ready to take Social Media seriously, don’t bother starting it at all.
• Only engage in shameless self promotion about yourself and your company. Social media is all about engaging within your social circle and encouraging people to want to like your Facebook page, follow you on Twitter and connect with you on LinkedIn. If all you do is talk about your company and discourage interaction, you will get nowhere fast.

If done correctly, Social Media can be a highly rewarding addition to your overall marketing plan. If done incorrectly, the ramifications can potentially be damaging. Be smart and take the time to do it right and maintain an active, engaging social media existence