What Most Businesses Get Wrong About Social Media Marketing
Social media. Everyone’s on it. Every business knows they need it. Yet, most still miss the mark. Why? Because they treat it like a one-way broadcast channel, shouting into the digital void without understanding the psychology behind why people hit "Like," "Share," or "Follow." Today, we’re breaking down the biggest mistakes businesses make and how you can flip the script to dominate your industry. Let’s get into it.
1. Treating Social Media Like a Billboard
First mistake? Thinking of social media as just a digital billboard. It’s not. It’s a two-way street. If your posts only push sales messages without engaging your audience, you’re missing the point. The platforms reward engagement. The more people interact with your posts, the more they’ll push your content to others. Simple.
Why this approach fails:
People tune out blatant ads. They’re there for the memes, the conversations, and the cat videos.
Algorithms hate dead posts. No likes, no shares? Your reach tanks.
It builds no emotional connection. People buy from brands they feel connected to.
What to do instead:
Focus on building relationships. Post behind-the-scenes moments, share your brand story, and engage with your followers. Show them the human side of your brand. This makes them care about what you sell.
Real-Life Example:
Nike doesn’t just post shoes—they post athletes, stories of struggle, and triumph. They create a culture, not just a product line.
Ready to see real engagement? Multipost Digital can help you craft viral content that actually connects. Reach out today to get started.
2. Focusing on Followers Over Engagement
Look, follower counts are a vanity metric. Having a million followers means nothing if only 100 of them care about your content. You need engagement. You need fans, not just followers.
Why this approach fails:
High followers, low engagement signals to the algorithm that your content is weak.
It doesn’t drive conversions. Followers don’t always mean buyers.
You waste time chasing the wrong metrics.
What to do instead:
Focus on creating content that gets comments, shares, and saves. Run polls, ask questions, and respond to every DM. Make your audience feel seen and heard. Build a community, not just a crowd.
Case Study:
Brands like Wendy’s have mastered this by engaging in witty banter and memes, making their followers feel part of an inside joke.
Ready to turn your followers into loyal fans? Multipost Digital specializes in engagement-first strategies. Let’s talk.
3. Ignoring the Power of Storytelling
Stories sell. Facts tell. If you’re just listing product features, you’re boring people. People don’t care about what you sell. They care about how it makes them feel, the problems it solves, or the status it gives them.
Why this approach fails:
It feels cold and disconnected.
It lacks emotional hooks.
It doesn’t differentiate you from every other brand out there.
What to do instead:
Tell stories. Share your founder’s journey, customer success stories, or even small daily wins. Use emotion to connect. Make them feel something. That’s what sticks.
Pro Tip:
When you post, think of your brand as a character in a story. How did it start? What challenges did it face? How did it overcome them? People remember stories, not stats.
Want to craft compelling stories that turn scrollers into buyers? Talk to Multipost Digital today.
4. Not Using Data to Drive Strategy
Social media isn’t a guessing game. If you’re just posting randomly without checking what works, you’re wasting time. Data should guide every decision you make.
Why this approach fails:
It wastes your marketing budget.
It misses growth opportunities.
It leads to burnout because you’re working harder, not smarter.
What to do instead:
Use analytics tools to track which posts get the most shares, clicks, and comments. Double down on what works and scrap what doesn’t. Test, optimize, repeat.
Data-Driven Insight:
Platforms like Instagram Insights and Facebook Analytics offer a goldmine of data on audience behavior. Use it to refine your approach.
5. Forgetting About Community Building
Most businesses forget the "social" in social media. It’s not just about pushing content. It’s about building a community of people who trust and support your brand.
Why this approach fails:
It creates a disconnected audience.
It lacks the loyalty that drives repeat sales.
It misses the power of word-of-mouth marketing.
What to do instead:
Create Facebook groups, reply to every comment, host live sessions, and genuinely connect. Make your audience feel like insiders, not just customers.
Example:
Lululemon’s community events and user-generated content make their followers feel part of a movement.
6. Being Inconsistent or Too Salesy
Nothing kills your reach faster than inconsistency. Or worse, only showing up to pitch your latest product. Social media isn’t a part-time gig if you want full-time results.
Why this approach fails:
It confuses your audience.
It makes you look unprofessional.
It fails to build momentum.
What to do instead:
Stick to a content calendar. Share a mix of content types – educational, inspirational, personal, and promotional. Keep showing up, even when it feels like no one is watching.
7. Not Understanding the Platform Differences
Instagram isn’t LinkedIn. TikTok isn’t Facebook. You can’t copy and paste content across platforms and expect results. Each platform has its own culture, tone, and algorithm.
Why this approach fails:
It looks lazy and out of touch.
It reduces engagement.
It wastes potential.
What to do instead:
Tailor your content to each platform. Use short, snappy clips for TikTok. Post long-form, thoughtful content on LinkedIn. Use carousels and Stories for Instagram.
8. Overlooking the Power of User-Generated Content (UGC)
You don’t always have to create content from scratch. Let your customers do the work. UGC is powerful social proof and costs you nothing.
Why this approach fails:
It ignores a massive trust signal.
It misses easy content wins.
It fails to leverage word-of-mouth marketing.
What to do instead:
Encourage your audience to share photos and videos using your products. Run contests, share their posts, and build a brand tribe.
9. Underestimating the Power of Video
Video is the king of content. Period. If you’re not investing in it, you’re falling behind.
Why this approach fails:
It limits your reach.
It makes your brand feel outdated.
It misses the chance to go viral.
What to do instead:
Invest in short-form video, like Reels, TikToks, and YouTube Shorts. These formats drive massive organic reach and engagement.
Ready to Level Up Your Social Media Game?
If you’re tired of spinning your wheels on social media with little to show for it, it’s time to get serious. Multipost Digital has helped brands go from zero to millions of views with strategic, results-driven social media management. Stop guessing and start growing. Let’s talk.
