4 Myths About Social Media: Don’t Fall for These Lies

In a world where it feels like there’s a new TikTok alternative each month, your business may feel the pressure to spread itself across as many platforms as possible. However, this isn’t a wise move.

Here’s why:

• Each social media platform attracts different audiences – During research, you should identify the platforms that your target audience uses. For example, in our TikTok vs Instagram article, I noticed that TikTok is popular with younger crowds, like Gen Alpha, while Instagram attracts a wider audience that includes Millennials. Which audiences will be most interested in your products or services?
• Each social media channel has a popular content type – As you get used to each platform, you’ll probably begin to notice which forms of content are most popular. For example, though Instagram was once known for its static image and carousel posts, its algorithm is now favoring Instagram Reels content. Think about the kinds of content you want to create and whether it’s suitable for the platforms you’re interested in.

So, the social platforms you choose should fulfill two key criteria: it should help you engage with the right audiences and let you post the types of content that work best for your business.

Though time may feel stretched when running your business, it’s important to dedicate a part of your team’s work week toward creating tailor-made social media content. Each social media site is home to different audiences and types of content, so your written posts, photos, or videos should reflect the platform you’re on.

You can make this process easier by repurposing your content. For example, if you post long-form videos on YouTube once a week, you can use this footage to create other kinds of content. This might include extracting short-form clips highlighting the most important moments for TikTok or Instagram Reels, or taking out key quotes and turning them into eye-catching graphics for LinkedIn.

It may sound like every brand’s dream to have a hit post that racks up thousands or millions of views, but don’t make this aspiration the be-all and end-all of your social media strategy.

Though virality is a fantastic way to increase brand awareness and reach new audiences in a short period of time, your business will better benefit from a strategy prioritizing sustained, long-term growth. To achieve this, focus on regularly posting high-value content that appeals to your audience’s needs.

Planning a long-term strategy will also help you foster deeper relationships with your audience over time. For further audience engagement, consider setting up polls or Q&As, regularly responding to comments to show that you care, and sharing user-generated content to feature your loyal customers.

You might only associate LinkedIn with job seekers looking to expand their professional network, but don’t let this preconception box you in – your business can also post B2C content on the platform. These professionals are also your potential customers, so it’d be a waste not to use LinkedIn’s features and reach these audiences.

Out of LinkedIn’s powerful features, I recommend setting up a LinkedIn Company Page. This enables you to build a professional presence on the platform and start posting engaging B2C content to your followers. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Create a custom URL for your page that features your company name
• Be transparent by filling in key details, such as your business website, industry, company size, and company type
• Include eye-catching visuals, such as a logo and banner
• Summarize your brand and what you’re offering customers with a memorable tagline (max 120 characters)

Though I’ve just debunked four common social media myths, it’s up to you to keep tabs on further updates in the future. To do that, make sure you’re keeping an eye on news resources (like our own news page) and regularly checking your social metrics to look out for noticeable changes.

With a clearer understanding of the social media space and all the myths you shouldn’t fall for, your business can now more effectively acquire new customers online and continue building a loyal following.