Social media has become an essential part of the online marketing toolkit for businesses of all sizes. Whether your business is small or large, you need to be aware of the social media world rules.
Rule One: You are not the only one on social media.
Think about your target market. Who is on social media most often? Millennials? Baby Boomers? Elders? CEOs? All of these groups are using social media, so think about who your target market is and how to reach them.
Rule Two: Social media is not a one-way street.
Make sure you’re responsive to comments and questions online. Answer customer questions as soon as possible, and be open to suggestions. Let people know what you’re doing and why it matters to them.
Rule Three: Respect your audience’s time.
Don’t post too often, or post things that are irrelevant or repetitious. Keep your posts interesting and engaging so people will want to read them. Post content that speaks to your target market’s interests and concerns.
Rule Four: Be authentic.
Your brand should reflect who you are as a business, not just what you want people to think you are. Always be honest and authentic in your social media posts, and avoid trying to be someone you’re not. This will help build trust with your audience.
Rule Five: Be smart about timing.
Don’t post when you’re angry, tired, or cranky. You won’t produce the best social media content. Prioritize your time, and make sure your posts are well-crafted and consistent.
Rule Six: Respect copyright laws.
Be sure to credit the original creator of any content you use, whether it’s a photo, a video, or an article. If you don’t have permission to use something, don’t do it.
Rule Seven: Use social media for good, not evil.
Think about the message you’re sending with your social media posts and actions. Is your content positive and helpful? Is it promoting ethical behavior? Is it appropriate for your target market? If not, think about how you can change it before posting.
What is a Hashtag?
A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the hash symbol (#). For example, the hashtag #happybirthday would be used to identify all posts that include the word “happy” in the title.
What is a Twitter Handle?
A Twitter handle is the username that you use when you are on Twitter. It is similar to a user name on a website.
What is a Follower?
A follower is someone who follows you on Twitter. If you have 500 followers, then every follower is worth $5.
What is a Retweet?
A retweet is when you copy and paste the text of a tweet and post it on your own Twitter account.
What is a Like?
A like is when you click the “thumbs up” button next to a post that you like. This helps to encourage other people to also like the post.
What is a Comment?
A comment is when you enter your thoughts about a post in the comments section of the post.
What is a DMs?
A DM is a direct message. When you send a DM, you are directly messaging the person who posted the tweet that you are commenting on.