5 SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING MYTHS TO LEAVE BEHIND 2021

Like any major marketing strategy of the past decade, social media has had plenty of time to accumulate some big myths.

And despite the fact that data has disproven a number of marketing myths today, some marketers will still hold onto a few, simply because it's hard to keep up-to-date on what's really going on with social media.

Yes, social media landscapes change dramatically every day. However, as a marketer, it's important to identify myth from reality in order to create an effective social media strategy. 

Myth #1: My customers are not on social media.

In 2021, over 3.7 billion people worldwide are active on social media Today, it seems like there's a social platform for everything and everyone. While family and friends connect on sites like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, professionals are networking on LinkedIn.

Myth #2: You should only try to get fans and followers that will become costumers.

Quality is important, yes, but don't underestimate the power of a large social reach. Remember some of these points next time you bemoan acquiring a fan or follower that lives outside of your sales territory or target demographic. 

- More fans and followers means your gaining an access to their fans and followers.

- If they're an influencer, their clout transfers to you by association.

- When they share your content, your SEO improves.

Myth #3: You should ignore negative feedback.

Social media is spectator sport. It's not about making the upset customer happy (although that would be nice) - it's about making sure your brand is on record as listening and caring, because thousands and other customers/prospects are looking on with a bowl of popcorn on their laps. Answer every comment - negative or positive - and do it FAST.

Myth #4: Content marketing and Social media are separate initiatives.

Content is fire. Social media is gasoline. Use social media to drive awareness of your content more so than awareness of your company. Like social and email, content and social should be working very closely together.

Myth #5: Social media managers should be new graduates or have years of experience.

This isn't just a myth. It's actually an ageist theory that should be completely abandoned - if it hasn't been already.

Being good at social media marketing, or any job for that matter, has absolutely nothing to do with how young or old you are. You can learn the tools and strategies at any age, and make mistake at any age, too.

Instead of considering a social media manager's age range, look for the candidate who's both creative and analytically-minded enough to manage your presence.

Which of these myths bother you the most?