3 Common Social Media Myths

When describing my role in social media for Elliott Design, I often get funny responses. The most common being, “So, what do you do?” Or my favorite, “Is that even a job?” Well, my friends, I’m here to tell you that yes, this social media craze is here to stay, and it requires more attention then most people realize. 

This brings up the main objective of social media; how do I use it to my advantage? For starters, you need to have a goal in mind. Do you want to spread news about your company? Reach more customers by creating an online presence? Figuring out what you want and how you would like to be portrayed are the first steps in creating an online presence. 

Myth #1 - Social Media is Only for Young People. 

I’m always telling my technologically challenged mother these exact words, “Just play around with it, don’t be so afraid to press buttons!” The more you try, the more you’ll learn. When Facebook was first launched, there was no paper user manual, and obviously it still caught on. The beauty of these social networks is that they are geared to be user friendly. Just like websites now, if the user can’t figure them out on the first try, then who is going to waste their time? The ease of use makes these programs a perfect fit for all users.

Myth #2 – Social Media Won’t Do Any Good      

Social Media actually improves your image by helping to reach a wider audience. It gives your company a personality and a face-to-go-with-the-name. It helps with search engine ranking, bringing more traffic to your company site, and makes it easier for potential clients and customers to find you.  And I have to mention the added bonus of showcasing your customer service skills. If a client or customer chooses to voice a complaint publicly, you have the chance to demonstrate your ability to handle and rectify the situation, all in front of your whole audience. People will see your efforts and admire how well you handled the situation, and see how much you care about your customers experience.

Myth #3 – Social Media is Hard Work

I wish I could say this was a myth, but social media is hard work. However, the rewards are worth it. To successfully grow and interact with the community requires dedication and commitment. Like our own Jeremy Ross always says about websites, “You can’t just set it and forget it.” This rings true for social media as well. In order to form online relationships, you have to be a person, not just a robot behind the computer. This involves giving real time responses to questions and engaging with others. Humor is always appreciated and proves a good way to give your company a personality. Luckily, there are programs like TweetDeck or Hootsuite to help with updates, just be sure YOU are there to keep your audience engaged.