What to Keep, What to Delete, What to Avoid
In the vast, ever-changing landscape of social media, it often feels like anything goes. However, certain behaviors can make or break your online presence, just as they do in our interpersonal relationships. Here’s a guide tailored to a Gen X and Millennial audience on what to keep, what to delete, what to avoid, and what not to do in the social media realm.
What to Keep
Authenticity
- Why It Matters: Genuine interactions build trust and loyalty. People can sense when you’re being real versus when you’re putting on a facade.
- How to Apply: Share personal stories and insights, be transparent about your experiences, and engage honestly with your audience.
Consistent Engagement
- Why It Matters: Regular interaction keeps you relevant and top-of-mind for your audience.
- How to Apply: Post regularly, respond to comments and messages promptly, and engage with your followers’ content.
Balance of Personal and Professional
- Why It Matters: Sharing only professional content can feel impersonal, while sharing too much personal information can blur boundaries.
- How to Apply: Share relevant personal insights to humanize your brand but keep sensitive details private.
What to Delete
Overly Promotional Content
- Why It Matters: Constant self-promotion can alienate your audience, making them feel like they’re just being sold to.
- How to Apply: Balance promotional posts with valuable content that informs, entertains, or inspires your audience.
Automated Responses
- Why It Matters: Over-reliance on automation can make your interactions feel impersonal and robotic. This includes using assistants to comment on your behalf without matching your unique voice.
- How to Apply: Use automated responses sparingly and craft them to reflect your unique tone of voice. Ensure that most of your interactions are personal and genuine to maintain a human touch.
Clickbait Content
- Why It Matters: Clickbait might generate short-term attention but can lead to long-term distrust and disappointment.
- How to Apply: Focus on creating honest, valuable content that genuinely interests your audience.
What to Avoid
Ignoring Comments and Messages
- Why It Matters: Ignoring your audience’s attempts to engage can make them feel undervalued and ignored, reducing the likelihood that they will try to engage with you again.
- How to Apply: Make it a priority to acknowledge and respond to all comments and messages.
Being Too Formal
- Why It Matters: An overly formal tone can make you seem distant and unapproachable.
- How to Apply: Strike a balance between professionalism and friendliness. Let your personality shine through in your interactions.
Ignoring Analytics
- Why It Matters: Failing to track your social media performance can result in missed opportunities for improvement. Analyzing metrics like what received 0-5 likes versus 20-50, and how many people viewed without liking, helps you understand what resonates with your audience and refine your strategy accordingly.
- How to Apply: Regularly review your analytics to understand what’s working and adjust your strategy accordingly.
What Not to Do
Copying Others
- Why It Matters: Imitating someone else’s content can make you seem unoriginal and inauthentic.
- How to Apply: Be inspired by others but add your unique perspective and creativity to your content.
Neglecting Visual Quality
- Why It Matters: Poor-quality visuals can make your content less engaging and negatively affect your brand image.
- How to Apply: Invest in high-quality images and videos to enhance your content’s appeal.
Disrespecting Sensitivities
- Why It Matters: Social media posts are often permanent and can have long-lasting effects on your reputation and relationships. What you share today can be seen and judged years from now.
- How to Apply: Treat your social media presence with the seriousness it deserves. Think before you post, ensuring your content aligns with your values and won’t cause regret later. However, don’t be paralyzed by the fear of being cringe-worthy—authenticity and vulnerability can build deeper connections with your audience.
Conclusion
While the social media landscape may seem like a free-for-all, adhering to these digital etiquette principles can make a significant difference in your online success. Avoiding common pitfalls like ignoring your audience, being too formal, and using low-quality visuals will further solidify your reputation. Remember, just as in real-life relationships, the key to thriving online is balancing freedom with respect, authenticity, and consideration. Here’s to navigating the digital world with grace and success!