Social Media Means
Photo by Lisa Fotios Pexels Logo Photo: Lisa Fotios

What to avoid posting on social media?

9 Types of Content to Stop Posting on Social Media Overly promotional content. ... Political or religious content. ... Irrelevant viral posts. ... Negative or derogatory content. ... Posts with spelling or grammatical errors. ... Brand-inconsistent content. ... The same message across social networks. ... Unaccredited content. More items... •

How long does it take to see digital marketing results?
How long does it take to see digital marketing results?

about six to twelve months You need to stick with a digital marketing strategy for about six to twelve months before you start to see meaningful...

Read More »
Was there a 4 dollar bill?
Was there a 4 dollar bill?

In 1904, $4 bills ceased being issued, but they continued to circulate for several years after that; however, by 1947, according to a Globe and...

Read More »

Here's the thing: when you post bad content to your social media channels, you run the risk of overshadowing all the hard work you’ve put into building your presence, and establishing connection with your online audience. And because we don’t want to let you do that, in this post, we're going to outline nine content types which could be wrecking your social media - and losing you followers.

Avoid these post types in your approach.

1. Overly promotional content

Whatever your social media goals are, what matters is that you bring value to your audience. Some brands make the mistake of assuming that what’s valuable to them is also important to their audience, and they use their social platforms to broadcast, to “sell, sell, sell”, rather than considering what really matters to people they're trying to reach. Instead of using your social platforms to broadcast, try to use them to join conversations that are already happening. Listen to what your audience is already discussing, read what influencers are writing -then pitch your content to respond to these cues. It may be worth considering the 5-3-2 rule, which states that for every 10 posts you publish:

5 should be curation - sharing others’ content

3 should be creation - relevant content you’ve produced yourself

2 should be humanization - personal, fun and relaxed content that humanizes your brand

2. Political or religious content

Religion and politics are two subject areas that people feel very strongly about. Whenever you post content that’s overtly political or religious, you’re unlikely to connect with all of your audience, and you're bound to be either irrelevant or offensive to those who don’t share your views. Unless you’re a political or religious organization (and even then, it’s advised to take caution), avoid publishing anything that could be controversial - otherwise you risk offending and losing followers. Instead, sense-check your content for neutrality before you publish it to your social feeds. There are exceptions, especially in the modern age where consumers are looking to connect with brands that take a stance on certain issues. But the more divisive elements need very careful consideration.

3. Irrelevant viral posts

It’s tempting to resort to sharing the latest viral meme when you’re low on time and your social feeds are looking empty. But take care - chances are, your audience has already seen it, and you reposting is only dumbing down the rest of your activity. Instead, plan your content in advance to make sure that what you post is relevant to your audience.

Which degree is hardest?
Which degree is hardest?

The hardest degree subjects are Chemistry, Medicine, Architecture, Physics, Biomedical Science, Law, Neuroscience, Fine Arts, Electrical...

Read More »
Is there a lot of math in sports management?
Is there a lot of math in sports management?

Just like with the hard sciences, mathematics courses are often required for an undergraduate degree, including sports management. This means...

Read More »

Social Media Tracker from SEMrush is a tool that can help - it will analyze your (and your competitors’) audience preferences so that you can start delivering content they’ll enjoy:

4. Negative or derogatory content

There’s a time and a place for voicing concerns about your clients or competitors - and it’s not on social media. If a dissatisfied customer is complaining about you on their Twitter feed, then resist the temptation to fire back. If you treat them politely and respectfully - and if possible take it offline - then you might even find that you win them back.

5. Posts with spelling or grammatical errors

Your social media profiles, like your website, are your virtual shop windows. Making a mistake in your content - either a simple typo or a full-blown grammar gaff - can look as though you don’t care. When you’re drafting your content, make sure you proofread your copy before you publish. Or even better, share it with a colleague to proofread before posting.

6. Brand-inconsistent content

Your social media profiles are an extension of your brand, and although you’re restricted by the format of the social platform you’re posting to, you still have creative control over your brand voice and tone. When you’re planning out your social content, revisit your brand personas. Think about what they would be saying on social media and how they’d be saying it. Make sure that the content you publish stays as close to these styles and themes as possible.

7. The same message across social networks

Although you want to maintain a consistent brand voice, it’s a mistake to post exactly the same content across all platforms. It goes without saying that all social networks are different. They speak to different demographics for one thing, and they each lend themselves to different content. LinkedIn is usually more copy-heavy and formal, Instagram is mainly visual and informal, while Twitter is more suited to bite-sized tidbits and GIFs. Think about each of your social media accounts, and tailor your content to suit each one. Even if you have roughly the same thing to say, make sure that your message fits with the style and tone of each platform.

8. Unaccredited content

How do you get 1k views?
How do you get 1k views?

How to Get More Views on YouTube Create Compelling Content. ... Encourage Viewers to Subscribe. ... Create Playlists to Keep People Watching. ......

Read More »
What are the 4 P's often referred to as?
What are the 4 P's often referred to as?

The four Ps of marketing—product, price, place, promotion—are often referred to as the marketing mix. These are the key elements involved in...

Read More »

There’s nothing wrong with sharing other people’s content - in fact, I’d advise that you actively do this. But so many brands copy content directly from other sources, without crediting them. The same goes for quotes - inspirational quotes have their place, but when you don’t name the quote source, it looks sloppy. It gets worse with copyrighted images. If you use an image in your content you’re not legally entitled to use, then you could come under some serious legal fire. Instead, be sure to get your images from open-source websites, such as Creative Commons, and follow the instructions for crediting the source. Next time you see some content you’d like to share, use it as an opportunity to connect. Click the “share” button on that content so that its source will automatically be included in your post. Alternatively, post the content to your profile and include the social media handle of the source.

9. Hashtag-stuffed content

Hashtags are super useful - they help to increase the visibility and shareability of your content across social media, they let you grow your audience, and they can open your content up to greater discussion. That said, if you stuff your social content with reams of irrelevant hashtags, then you’ll risk making your post unreadable, and diluting the importance of the more relevant ones.

Conclusion

When you’re posting regularly to social media, it can be easy to get into bad habits, and brands often make the mistake of thinking that posting any (substandard) content is better than posting none at all. On the contrary, posting negative, irrelevant or clumsy content can damage your brand, and lose you valuable followers. Cut out these nine content types, and you’ll give your valuable content a better chance of getting seen.

Header image source: Creative Commons

What sells the most in 2022?
What sells the most in 2022?

Trending products to sell online in 2022 Power tool accessories. Dog toys. Costume shoes. Laptop batteries. Shot glasses. Slipcovers. Wall plates...

Read More »
How many Instagram followers is average?
How many Instagram followers is average?

The follower ratio matters most when you have between 1,000 to 1,500 followers. The logic behind this is simple. For a personal Instagram account,...

Read More »
What is the most common job of millionaires?
What is the most common job of millionaires?

In broader terms, the finance and investment profession has the most millionaires. It also has the most billionaires, with 371. Jul 25, 2022

Read More »
What is the most toxic app?
What is the most toxic app?

Bark's Top 12 Most Dangerous Apps for Kids Snapchat. Kicking off our dangerous apps for kids list is one that most parents are probably familiar...

Read More »