10 Social Media Expectations That Are Full of Baloney
People have a lot of expectations around social media. They think that it’s magic, and that once they are on social media, they don’t have to do anything except answer the phone calls of people wanting to hand them millions of dollars. Here are some popular misconceptions.
One Friend Will Tell Another Friend
This is a popular one. One friend will tell another friend will tell another friend. Like a giant Multi-Level Marketing scheme, the business or startup is of course at the top of the pyramid. When was the last time you were so excited about a new business that you told someone else? It happens, but rarely.
We’re Going to Raise a Million Dollars!
You might do that, but it could take a loooong time! It’s probably not going to happen in one week.
More Followers Equals More Value
More Followers Equals More Value
This is the kind of thinking that makes people buy followers! Here’s how you can tell who has the most fake followers, by the way. In fact, the small accounts who take the trouble of engaging with you are probably your biggest fans. The number of fans makes some difference, but not if they’re fake.
Nobody Will See Your Drunk Tweets
Nobody Will See Your Drunk Tweets
Not only will they see those drunk tweets, they’ll take screenshots and share them with their friends and blog about it. By then you’ll be sober. And pretty sad. And that is one case where one friend will tell another friend who will tell another friend.
Having Goals on Social Media is Pointless
Having Goals on Social Media is Pointless
Yes, there is a point. If you’d like to move beyond vanity metrics (popularity or number of followers), some good goals might be: retweeting five people a day, having a conversation with someone new on Facebook, or participating in a Twitter Chat.
People on Social Media Are Waiting for a Sales Pitch
People on Social Media Are Waiting for a Sales Pitch
Yes and no. If people like you, they might put up with an occasional sales pitch. But selling all the time is so 1974. You probably won’t get a follower in the first place if you’re only selling.
Social Media is Free
Social Media is Free
One word: Nope! Is your time free? Is your brain power free? Is your creativity free?
It’s Okay to Broadcast without Engagement
What is this? The first day of the Internet? Broadcast-only mode is akin to sending direct messages on Twitter when someone first follows you.
People Won’t Notice Bad Reviews
Um, yes they will. According to this Search Engine Land article, “88% Have Read Reviews To Determine The Quality Of A Local Business.” Don’t you check out businesses online before you buy from them?
My Audience Isn’t Online
You could say that in 1995, but these days everyone is online. Your grandma is looking at pictures of your kids on Facebook and watching cat videos on Youtube.
Did You Have Any Misconceptions When You Started?
I’d love to hear! Let me know in the comments. And thank you for reading.
Good stuff! I especially like the part that it isn’t free if you do it yourself!
Hi Robert,
Small business owners, in particular, think that they can do everything themselves. Taking the burden of social media off their shoulders frees up their time. And yes! It’s not free!
Thanks for the comment.
Carol
I love this with all of my heart. I always say Twitter isn’t Sea Monkeys but this post is better.
Hi Bridget,
I love your “sea monkeys” saying! Thanks for commenting, and your support, always. It means so much to me.
Carol
All of these really resonate with me. Too many falsely think that social media management shouldn’t cost too much because all you are doing is posting “here and there.” If they’d read this post, however, they’d recognize that there is strategy behind what you are doing and even if you aren’t paying in cash, you are paying in your time. I’ll definitely be sharing this one, Carol.
Hi Tess,
A lot of people don’t think through any kind of strategy and throw themselves into posting. If they’re going to do it themselves, they should realize the time and commitment involved.
Thank you for the comment!
Carol
Your image game is on point in this post. That second picture is how I feel when Jimmy Johns tells me ham is extra.
Baloney is included, Adam Fout. Ham is always extra!
Carol
Excellent points!
Thank you, Sandy Connolly!
Hey Carol,
I didn’t have any misconceptions because I had no idea how Twitter was going to help me. I followed the advice to join from people who didn’t know what they were doing either. Ha!
I’ve stumbled along, made a lot of mistakes but try to keep learning from them. You are one who has offered wonderful guidance along my journey.
Cheers
Hi Patricia,
Aww. You really made my day! Seriously–you are awesome!
And I hope we get to meet in person one day, too.
Carol