There are a ton of myths out there when it comes to marketing. Quite frankly, there are so many marketing myths, I could probably write you a marketing myth-buster blog post every single week and never run out of content.
Today, I want to talk to you specifically about the most common social media marketing myths I hear. And, most importantly, what you should do instead.
Here are 5 social media myths you need to ditch, like, now!
Myth #1: All I need to grow my business is social media.
Social media platforms are amazing outlets to develop an audience and really grow your business. However, social media platforms actually own all of the content that you put on them. This means, when you post a video to any social media platform, it actually becomes theirs. Same with your contacts. You do not have a right to any list of your followers, friends, or contacts and their email addresses. It’s all in their terms of service.
Additionally, because of the algorithms and how social media is designed, your content is shared based on what they think your audience needs to hear and wants to hear. Depending on when you post, how you post, what you post – all of those things are going to trigger how the platform actually distributes the content to your audience.
Only using a social media platform to market to your audience puts you at a huge disadvantage when it comes to creating and growing a business. If you really want to grow and scale your business, you have to move your audience from social media onto your email list.
If you do not move your contacts off of social media and onto your email list, you run the risk of losing them if you do something like losing your password.
Myth #2: My customers aren’t on social media so I don’t need to be.
No. Stop right there. EVERYONE is on social media. From twelve years old to ninety+ years old. If they have access to the internet, they’re on social media. If they have access to a phone, they are on some type of social media!
Over 3.6 billion people (BILLION!) are using social media. And, that number is projected to be 4.5 billion by 2025. Sure, maybe your ideal clients aren’t on every social media platform… but they’re out there somewhere on at least one. Your job is to figure out which one and meet them there.
Myth #3: I need to be on every social media platform.
This is less of a myth and more of a mistake. Just because you can name a lot of social media platforms, it doesn’t mean you need a presence on all of them. Take a second and name all of the social media platforms you can. I can come up with nine different platforms right off the top of my head. It is impossible (and not helpful) to be on every single social media platform.
Instead, focus on just a few. Make sure the few you decide to focus on are the ones that your ideal client prefers to hang out on.
Myth #4: I need to post every day (sometimes multiple times a day).
Here’s the problem with this myth – it’s not about the quantity of posts, it’s about the quality of posts. If you put tons of low-quality, low-grade content out there, you’ll get fewer results than if you focus on a few high-quality, high-value pieces of content. Your content will be better received, consumed, and acted upon if you’ve put a lot of thought into it.
It’s less about the number of times you post and more about the value you offer in your posts. Focus on quality, value-based content. Make it helpful and informative. Allow your ideal client to connect with you and change their way of thinking.
Myth #5: Facebook doesn’t work anymore.
Let me ask you a question: What specifically are you trying to do on Facebook that’s not working? What is it that you’re doing that’s not working?
The thing about organic traffic on Facebook is that it’s difficult. It’s not impossible, but it is difficult. On the other hand, running good Facebook ads works every time. When I say “good” Facebook ads, I mean ads that are targeted correctly, have the right message and have the right call to action. Facebook ads absolutely work, all day, every day and can help you grow your business.
Facebook remains the largest social media platform. It’s not a matter of if Facebook works, it’s a matter of if you are doing the right thing on Facebook to help your business and Facebook work together.
Facebook is a business mega beast. They absolutely are not going anywhere. It’s Meta (pun intended.)