Quality social media experience isn’t something that can be achieved one or two days out of the month. It must be achieved each day, including ones that stand out on the calendar. In the spirit of our great holiday of superstition, here are 13 ways to make Friday the 13th less scary for you, your brand, and your customers.
1. Don’t fail to remember you are always representing your brand.
No matter how trivial the topic might appear, everyone that sees your post, not just your intended audience, is a potential customer. Keep your posts friendly for all.
2. Avoid Misspellings.
Even one commonly misspelled word can stick out like a sore thumb to a mass audience. Read over everything before you post it. Read it again, then read it again.
3. Never be negative.
The world is full of Debbie Downers and they usually fail to attract potential customers or represent a brand in a positive light.
4. Don’t fail to acknowledge a mistake.
If a customer is upset, or someone disagrees with something you’ve posted, see it as an opportunity to interact. Large companies have social media teams specifically hired to handle frustrated clients in a disarming and professional manner. If a mistake is made, apologize for it and state what’s being done to fix it.
5. Is LOL within your brand standards?
Just because your brand is on social media doesn’t mean your brand style guide and tone go out the window. Your brand voice should stay consistent within market advertising.
6. Overselling yourself is annoying.
Social media can be a dog-eat-dog environment, and an overzealous strategy can turn people off. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so don’t overdo it. Quality content and less “buy my stuff” will build an engaged base.
7. Avoid posting infrequently or inconsistently.
Your audience is online at different times. Don’t make the mistake of thinking loading up with content on Tuesday gets you a pass for Monday’s inactivity. Check peak posting times and post frequency recommendations for your audiences and industry, then stick to the regime. Slow and steady wins the race.
8. Don’t ditch your grammar in tweets.
Yes, you only have 140 characters. Yes, we know this can be challenging. NO, it’s not okay to take out all your commas and run your words together. If the sentence isn’t the way you would write it on a billboard, don’t post it!
9. Try not to fail to follow up.
If action needs to be taken, take that action, but ensure the customer is satisfied to the best of your ability. Always take the conversation into direct messages and provide as much information as you have available. If you say you will check on something, do it! Always follow up within one business day.
10. Hello! You don’t work in a silo!
Social media is about the connection of people with like interests, but failing to seize opportunities to promote diversity can have negative consequences. Just because you sell glittered rainbow pony figurines doesn’t mean that cat people won’t relate. Explore complimentary hashtags, engagement techniques and groups with similar interests to your product line’s customers.
11. Never be insincere.
Certain industries have a reputation for lack of customer service. The root of that is an employee that doesn’t care about the quality of his/her service. Make it your personal responsibility to achieve customer satisfaction.
12. Never ever post to a hashtag that you haven’t researched.
Hashtag woes can be hilarious when they aren’t happening to your brand. Keep your brand off the #fail list and check before you tag.
13. Do keep an eye on your post length.
Social media keeps to an unofficial mandate that posts are shorter, rather than longer. Whether you’re interacting with your customers or marketing your newest awesome product, follow the K.I.S.S. model: Keep It Short and Simple.
We wish you a great Friday the 13th! Here’s to a non-frightening social media day! For more great social media tips follow us on Twitter at @aJuxtMediaGroup!
Written by Jenni Coolong || Social Brand Manager