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Dex_phoenix

Social Media Strategist, Published Author, Community Manager
Mountlake Terrace, Washington
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Social Media Etiquette - 8 things you may be doing to lose friends and fans

If you aren't getting the results and engagement you are expecting from your Social Media Marketing activities, you may be violating some Social Etiquette.
Written Apr 23, 2012, read 4468 times since then.
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Google, "How to get more Facebook Fans" and you will get thousands of articles. With all the information out there, you might expect all business owners to have thriving Social Media presences. Sometimes, however, that just isn't the case. Without knowing it, you may have broken some unwritten rules of etiquette. Here are a few I have discovered in my experiences that might be affecting your efforts.
  1. Starting a page, inviting friends with NOTHING TO SHOW! Personally, if I am going to like a new page, I would be much more likely to join an active community - or at least one that has the appearance of community. Be sure to populate the page with articles, information, blog posts, etc. to show new viewers what they might expect from liking your page.
  2. Starting a page, inviting friends and NEVER posting. Because a Facebook page is all about engagement and creating community, you MUST be active. Daily posts are a good standard, and a great habit to develop.
  3. Over inviting, when you are holding an event - When you are having an event, create an event and invite those people who might be able to attend. And, by that, I mean - if you are having a networking event in Seattle, don't invite your friends that live in Albuquerque.
  4. Over promoting when you are holding an event - Something that starts to look like spam is when you send multiple Facebook messages, or post on multiple friends walls. Be warned as you can easily be reported and lose posting privileges.
  5. Using only your personal page to post your business information. Not only does using your personal profile for your Business violate the Facebook Terms of Service, but it's also just downright annoying if all you ever share is business information. A Business Page is the perfect place to share sales, new products, etc.
  6. Using only tools to post. Studies have shown engagement on Facebook decreases by over 70% when you use tools anyway. If you want to engage with your Facebook audience, come to Facebook! Feel free to use tools to post to Twitter and LinkedIn! People aren't necessarily expecting to have a conversation on those platforms.
  7. Creating more pages than you need. I have one connection that starts a page for every activity she participates in and then bombards her friends with invitations to like each page.
  8. Posting the same exact message from your personal account and your business page. Once in awhile, this may be acceptable, but I've seen people (who use automators, mostly) who do this with every post. Chances are, they will unlike your page, block it, or unfriend you entirely. None of those are great results for anyone hoping to grow their business.
If you wouldn't do it in real life, it probably isn't good for Social Media. Just think of any of these above things in a party setting...wouldn't that be bizarre? (But, it might make you smile right now just thinking of it.) How do you react when you see content and activities like this? I would love your feedback!

 

 

Social Media Strategist, Published Author, Community Manager Mountlake Terrace, Washington Tracey Warren

Tracey Warren has a passion for marketing, for teaching and for connecting people. Now, with Ready, Set, Grow Marketing she teaches business owners the value of Social Media Marketing through workshops and one-on-one coaching.

Social Media Strategist

Learn more about the author, Tracey Warren.

Comment on this article

  • Effectiveness & Efficiency Expert, Process Improvement Consultant Seattle, Washington Pete DiSantis
    Posted by Pete DiSantis, Seattle, Washington | Apr 24, 2012

    I am breaking most of your rules. I will have to seriously reconsider my tactics.

    Thanks, Pete

  • Seattle WordPress Trainer Seattle, Washington Bob Dunn
    Posted by Bob Dunn, Seattle, Washington | Apr 24, 2012

    Hey Tracy, great points. I'm not a huge fan of Facebook for several of these reasons, and because of the people who break these rules ; ) Also, I believe there is way too much useless "noise" there. That is why I prefer Google+ ; )

    But with that said, I especially like #3, that one drives me crazy, as well as #6. I cannot tell you how many times I get the question about auto-posting.

    I do disagree with you a bit on Twitter. One of the rules people break there is just broadcasting all the time and not engaging anyone in discussions. If you auto-tweet, do it carefully and make sure it isn't a Tweet that will provoke questions or discussion. Likely you are not there to answer back. I admit I do schedule tweets, no auto-tweets, but as I mentioned, I am very selective of when I use that. I know the discussions are limited to 140 characters. But I have to admit I have had some of the best ones on Twitter, and built some incredible relationships due to conversation.

    In the end, it's all a matter of what works best for you : )

  • Social Media Strategist, Published Author, Community Manager Mountlake Terrace, Washington Tracey Warren
    Posted by Tracey Warren, Mountlake Terrace, Washington | Apr 24, 2012

    Thanks Bob and Pete for coming and commenting!

    I agree Bob that there is a lot of noise on Facebook...I try to help people clear out the clutter to make it more effective!!

    Social Media Strategist
  • Certified Cat Behavior Consultant Nashville, Tennessee Pam Johnson-Bennett, CCBC
    Posted by Pam Johnson-Bennett, CCBC, Nashville, Tennessee | Apr 25, 2012

    Great reminders. Many people tend to forget the key word in social media being the "social" part. I have unfriended and blocked many people who simply use Facebook to broadcast about themselves without engaging.

    I'd like to also add one other thing that particularly gets under my skin -- people who post their promotions on MY business page. I'm an author and it drives me nuts when people post about their own books on my page.

  • Organizational Dynamics Facilitator Seattle, Washington Joey Pauley
    Posted by Joey Pauley, Seattle, Washington | Apr 25, 2012

    Tracey, another wonderful article. You mention "Studies have shown engagement on Facebook decreases by over 70% when you use tools." I understand but, tools help me manage posting and provide useful interfaces. (I must reevaluate my tactics, like Pete.) However, I do still visit facebook to respond and peruse other pages. What is your process for posting/managing/listening/engaging in social media? Any tips you can share? Tools that are useful?

  • Biznik Director of Community Seattle, Washington Matt Lawrence
    Posted by Matt Lawrence, Seattle, Washington | Apr 25, 2012

    I am in total agreement here.

    Given the degree to which Facebook users are notified of events, locations, updates, and invites, I am inclined to say that blasting your personal network with a business event does way more harm than good.

    Though, I completely understand the urge. I am hosting an event this weekend and I made a tactical decision to not use FB to promote the event.

    I had created an Eventbrite registration and while I certainly posted it to my Page, I did not blast my friends with the Facebook event tool.

    Rather, I used Paperless Post invite for the couple dozen people I actually wanted at the event.

    Overall, thank you for putting together this great resource for how to engage on Facebook today.

    Biznik Director of Community
  • Internet Marketing Consultant Seattle, Washington Gregor Schmidt
    Posted by Gregor Schmidt, Seattle, Washington | Apr 26, 2012

    Great article, Tracey. Thanks for pointing out some of our follies. We already shared it on all of our networks!

  • Motivational Speaker and Author Bothell, Washington John C Erdman
    Posted by John C Erdman, Bothell, Washington | Apr 26, 2012

    Spot on Tracy! I believe that most people get into the hot water because they don;t have a goal and a game plan. What are your reasons for posting? How do you want to engage your friends and followers? Does your post have meaning in what you do? etc, etc. I agree with your points and will be looking at my reasons again to make sure that I am in compliance with my goals. Thanks again!

    Make this the best day ever! Enthusiastically, John
  • Marketing Assistant/Social Media Coordinator Gastonia, North Carolina Annastacia Tooke
    Posted by Annastacia Tooke, Gastonia, North Carolina | Apr 26, 2012

    you listed every single one of my pet peeves! Excellent article

  • Video Producer/Director Seattle, Washington Terry Simpson
    Posted by Terry Simpson, Seattle, Washington | Apr 26, 2012

    Nicely put, Tracey. Very helpful.

  • Fundraising, Marketing & Training for Nonprofit Organizations Bellevue, Washington Joy Stephens
    Posted by Joy Stephens, Bellevue, Washington | Apr 26, 2012

    Hey Terry, I believe you covered these topics very nicely at the two workshops we co-hosted. Thanks again for being our 'content specialist'. SMILE

  • Voice Over Artist and Actor Seattle, Washington Kris Keppeler
    Posted by Kris Keppeler, Seattle, Washington | Apr 27, 2012

    Great article, Tracey.

  • Social Media Strategist, Published Author, Community Manager Mountlake Terrace, Washington Tracey Warren
    Posted by Tracey Warren, Mountlake Terrace, Washington | Apr 27, 2012

    Absolutely agree, Pam. That is bad form, when others promote themselves on your business page. You can block them if that is an option.

    Joey - I take a few minutes every day to go to Facebook to post. It's absolutely worth the effort and it doesn't take too long. (if it helps, creating an editorial calendar can be a great time saving effort) And, in general, I'm not an fan of posting tools for Facebook. Others might have other opinions.

    Social Media Strategist
  • Social Media Strategist, Published Author, Community Manager Mountlake Terrace, Washington Tracey Warren
    Posted by Tracey Warren, Mountlake Terrace, Washington | Apr 27, 2012

    Matt - I look forward to checking out Paperless post and just a bonus tip - if you've set up your EventBrite page properly - they are great for backlinks. (as they rank pretty high for SEO)

    Social Media Strategist
  • Social Media Strategist, Published Author, Community Manager Mountlake Terrace, Washington Tracey Warren
    Posted by Tracey Warren, Mountlake Terrace, Washington | Apr 27, 2012

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the comments and shares. I am completely humbled.

    Social Media Strategist
  • Outsourced Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting Specialists Lynnwood, Washington Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA
    Posted by Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA, Lynnwood, Washington | Apr 27, 2012

    Tracey,

    Good solid information!

    Thank You!

    Randal

    Contractors Accounting And Bookkeeping Services
  • Executive Director Clearwater, Florida Stan Dubin
    Posted by Stan Dubin, Clearwater, Florida | Apr 27, 2012

    Hi Tracey,

    It is a bit annoying to come by and see a completely blank page. The flow seems to be: "hey you're a friend, so please "like" me and I'll get going on this page."

    Friends shouldn't let friends create blank pages.

    Free Hiring Tips Newsletter
  • Business Etiquette Consultant, Speaker, Trainer and Columnist Seattle, Washington Arden Clise
    Posted by Arden Clise, Seattle, Washington | Apr 30, 2012

    Great points Tracey. My biggest etiquette faux pas peeve is when people do friendly drive by spam wall messages that look like they are just saying hello but in reality are really spam. For example: "Hi Arden, great etiquette tips. Feel free to like my page at www.i'mreallycool/fb.com."

    Also, I agree with Bob about needing to be just as engaging on Twitter. I think Twitter is much noisier than FB and I prefer FB but I have made some great connections on Twitter. I try to follow the 80/20 rule. 80% of your posts should be informational, retweets, replies and personal. And only 20% of your posts should be promotional or about your business.

    You have a point about using tools. I do use TweetDeck and it's good for posting etiquette tips that people find helpful, but I simply don't get the engagement and interaction I would when I ask a question or post a tip with a compelling photo.

    Great, helpful tips. Thanks much!

  • Online Marketing Consultant & Copywriter Richmond, Virginia Elisabeth Kuhn
    Posted by Elisabeth Kuhn, Richmond, Virginia | May 19, 2012

    Great tips here! Thanks so much!

    I found the one about not having too many pages particularly helpful. And I learned about the overposting one the hard way - I had Twitter set to post on Facebook, and that's not a good idea!

    !

  • owner of ballwalkpark, seattle dogwalking business Seattle, Washington Kelley Goad
    Posted by Kelley Goad, Seattle, Washington | Jun 01, 2012

    I had no idea that Facebook posts were 70% more effective when from Facebook. That makes a lot of sense because I feel like I never get much action when i post from the social media management apps. Thanks for sharing, great article!

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