Bits & Bytes

9 Social Media Trends to Leave Behind

2015-09-05

Social media marketing trends are ever-evolving, and while adopting new practices is important, knowing what to avoid is equally crucial. Here's a list of nine things to leave behind for a stronger online presence.

#Abusing #Hashtags

Overusing hashtags can damage your credibility. While hashtags can help you reach a wider audience, using too many can backfire. Platforms like Facebook and Pinterest penalize excessive hashtag use. The ideal number? Two per post. More than that could decrease your engagement.

Avoid overloading posts with hashtags, and remember, hashtags aren’t effective on LinkedIn.

Posting Just to Post

Quality over quantity is key. Social media algorithms prioritize valuable, engaging content. Instead of posting on a rigid schedule, focus on what will resonate with your audience.

Analyze your followers' preferences and craft content that provides them with value rather than simply filling a slot in your calendar.

Auto-posting Facebook Posts to Twitter

Custom messages outperform generic ones. Auto-posting might save time, but it harms engagement. Twitter's character limit and different formatting can lead to poorly displayed posts.

Create tailored content for each platform to boost interactions and ensure your message lands effectively.

Starting a Tweet with “@”

A small mistake can limit your audience. Starting a tweet with “@” makes it visible only to users following both you and the person mentioned. Adding a period before the “@” expands the reach of your message.

Ensure that tweets intended for broader visibility begin appropriately to reach a larger audience.

Asking People to Follow You Back

Authenticity builds trust and credibility. Asking for follows can be seen as desperate or spammy. Instead, let your content attract followers organically.

Facebook's algorithm also penalizes posts that explicitly ask for follows. Rely on compelling content to grow your audience.

Automated Thank You Messages

Make gratitude personal. Automated messages often come across as insincere. A personalized thank-you shows genuine appreciation.

Personalize interactions by mentioning common interests or recent activity to leave a lasting impression.

Blanket Publishing Across All Networks

Tailored content leads to better engagement. Each social media platform has unique strengths. Customize your messages to suit the platform’s specific audience and functionality.

Optimize your approach for each platform to maximize visibility and interactions.

Not Optimizing Content for Sharing

Make it easy for users to share your content. Social sharing buttons should be visible and functional, auto-tagging your business or author information.

If users can’t easily share your content, they most likely won’t. Prioritize simplicity in sharing options.

Keeping Your Social Media Accounts Private

Accessibility is key to visibility. A public profile allows users to explore your content before committing to following you, increasing your reach and visibility.

A locked profile limits engagement and discourages potential followers.

Stay Ahead of Social Media Trends

Contact Foonster for expert social media strategy and management.