The integration of technology into daily life is at a point where toddlers are already more adept at using tablets before learning basic mathematics. Although this can be frightening to some, it’s a clear sign of progress and the value of digital transformation.

Social media platforms are invaluable marketing channels for driving sales funnels, especially for today’s technologically-driven generation. For most businesses, executing social media marketing campaigns is an essential component of expanding their online visibility and customer conversions. However, the implementation of these strategies doesn’t always deliver the appropriate results. This is usually due to following social media marketing myths that provide only surface-level results.

The danger of executing improper social media marketing practices

Having strong visibility on social media platforms is necessary for most businesses, especially for eCommerce establishments. Although these networks provide the essential tools to expand your company’s reach, that doesn’t always translate to a greater Return on Investment (ROI).

Doubting if your social media marketing is performing as intended? It’s time to reassess these three practices:

1. Using too many hashtags



Hashtags are great ways to connect to niche communities. For example, using #makeup or #sportswear can make your posts visible to two vastly different customer bases. Your chosen platform then filters your posts to appear on users that specifically follow these tags as content of interest.

Unfortunately, using too many hashtags can be problematic in numerous ways. Although you can use up to 30 hashtags for Instagram, that doesn’t mean you should. Additionally, hashtags will vary in efficiency, depending on the platform you use them for. Generally, you must be mindful of your marketing copy’s character count. Ensure that your hashtags are never more significant than your post’s messages.

2. Depending on your followers for sales

Having a high follower or subscriber count gives you an extensive reach. It makes you a profitable business to potential business partners, which is why it’s not uncommon that many companies base their profitability during pitches by highlighting this number. However, your follower base’s numbers don't always reflect post engagement.

While you may have thousands of followers, getting less than a thousand unique impressions means you’re utilising that number. Make sure that the content you post is engaging and relevant for your follower base. Instead of focusing on getting more followers, your focus should shift to using lead magnets to turn your current followers into prospective customers.

3. Letting your intern handle your social media

There’s a lot at stake in executing a quality social media marketing campaign, which is why you shouldn’t let an unpaid intern oversee your online image. Some companies prefer to hire younger and more internet-savvy individuals to manage their social media accounts. Although it’s a valid strategy, it can lead to inconsistencies in delivering a reliable brand message to your customer base.

This is why it’s necessary to define what the responsibilities of a “social media manager” are. Additionally, the person you hire should coordinate with a team of creatives and marketing specialists. Doing so will give them the right tools to collaborate on the right approach for your brand.

Conclusion

Social media marketing allows brands to engage with their target demographic in a more personal and informal way. Since business page updates are scattered on news feeds together with their mutual posts, it’s less likely to be invasive and ignorable by the common consumer. However, it’s important to remember that social media marketing alone won’t give your business concrete results. It’s crucial to leverage your social media interactions with other interrelated strategies like Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), PPC marketing, content marketing, and more.

Complementing your social media marketing campaign should be a well-designed website to drive your sales figures. At Minotaur Digital, we offer creative solutions in digital marketing, social media management, and SEO. If you need a local web design agency in West Sussex, that offers these services and more, contact us today to see how we can help.