With so much information coming at you daily, from your social pages and from the internet at large - it can be tough to pick out the truth from the lies. Today we're going to take a candid look at the top 5 social media myths, and bust them wide open for you. Even if these myths seem like public knowledge, they can still be damaging lies that will hurt your social media plans.
Myth #1: Social Media is Meant For Direct Sales
While you can sell directly on sites like Facebook, there is a far reaching ROI that goes above and beyond direct sales. The true value of social media is in community building, for repeat sales and information gathering. When you learn to use your social community to build your business, you're doing so much more than simply selling directly from a page!
Myth #2: More Posts Mean Better ROI
On sites like Facebook, Twitter and Google+ - there is always a need for fresh content. Updating is often taken to extremes by companies, as they believe the more posts they publish, the more sales they'll make. It's another numbers game. Just like having a larger community doesn't always mean more sales, neither does posting more often.
As always the focus is on the interactivity and quality of each post. There have been many cases when 3 posts a week, have performed better than 30 posts in that same week on another account. For increased ROI you can never underestimate the power of well planned content. Don't try to make up for it, with more posts!
Myth #3: Viral Marketing is The Best Form of Marketing
There's no denying it - when something goes viral, great things happen. But these great things are fleeting, and they don't last. Even if you manage to get 8000 people viewing your video in one hour, the sales repercussions will be limited. Instead focus on sales, and target small communities.
A cat post might bring you traffic, but a sales video will bring you sales. Don't forget that a sudden burst in traffic, will never replace a slow, steady ROI increase. Viral marketing is far too inconsistent for that. Let it happen naturally, instead of chasing it!
Myth #4: The 'I'm a Guru' Imposition
Social marketers hate it when new marketers claim to be experts, yet they publish basic drivel on their websites, and have no real experience in the field. Why then do so many people continue to call themselves gurus?
Recent statistics from Hubspot reflect that social marketers that do use words like guru, expert, author, founder and speaker have more followers. It seems like people just love to follow these stereotypical names.
So, while using the word guru is in poor taste if you're brand new to marketing, it is highly desirable to marketers who do have some expertise!
Myth #5: Social Analytics Replaces One-on-One Feedback
It's tempting to believe that social analytics have advanced to the point that they can tell you everything you need to know as a marketer. The truth is, analytics requires speculation, and it's a very biased, perspective-based way to build your campaign. These analytics will never replace interacting one-on-one with your consumers, in real time. You'll discover far more by forming genuine relationships.
Is there a social media myth that you want to bust? Tell us about it here!