Being socially awkward no longer applies solely to face-to-face interaction. As social media is incorporated more and more into our daily lives, many people miss out on the fact that there are certain protocols and behaviours that the virtual community finds acceptable. It is time to rectify your unacceptable behaviour and become a social media guru.

1. You don’t post images.On a practical note, images take up more space on a Twitter feed, thus attracting more attention. An image on any social network by default carries an attached perception of value. Ensure that your images are of good quality and an acceptable size for the network they are posted on. With Facebook, load a 1200 x 1200 pixel image, for Twitter, try 440 x 220 pixels. If you are using Pinterest for ecommerce, make sure that the subject of the images is active, e.g. your business is in textiles, so post an image of a woman dancing in a beautiful dress, rather than just an image of the dress itself. Help users visualise themselves with your product.
2. You don’t link.One of your social networking goals ought to be that you direct traffic to your website. The URL debate sits differently with different networks though. With Twitter, you will have to shorten links as they take up a lot of your 140 character limit and you need include the link at the end of your post rather than the beginning. Pinterest in return, you link the image you are pinning to your webpage, instead of adding the link in the image description. With Facebook, you can also remove the link from the text completely, as the network will create a clickable image from the link by default.
3. You don’t tag.Make use of the hashtag availability on Twitter and Instagram. This helps you contribute to trendy topics on the networks, such as #TBT (throwback Thursday) or even engage in Real-Time Marketing events. Hashtags above all else, allows you to target your desired audience directly.
4. You don’t interact.Utilise social media for customer support. This is a cost effective and instantly gratifying way of reaching your customers while promoting the excellent service you offer. Respond to posts; follow up with users, thanking said users for their feedback and support.

In addition to these top 4 mistakes, it is also important to use a consistent voice in your posts and to post content that users are interested in. Averting from these guarantees you will lose followers over time. Some great examples of this, is that of US Airliner, Jet Blue and Royal Dutch Airlines’ Twitter account.

With social media marketing for corporate purposes, it is important to approach your profiles with a plan, a content strategy. Establish what you hope to gain from the social networking endeavour and expand your strategy from there. Write up an editorial content plan, setting out what it is you would like to post – basically planning ways in which you will achieve your social networking goals. Keep your posts personal and professional. At all cost must you try to avoid sounding robotic as this will neither attractor retain followers. Try not to base all your posts on promotional material, rather include other, related content that offers users some value or entertainment. Finally, integrate your social networks with the company website, show customers that you are reachable in many ways and keen to interact with them.

Mari Roelofse is a Digital Journalist & Content Editor for Sound Idea Digital | mari@soundidea.co.za | Sound Idea Digital | www.soundidea.co.za