7 Social Branding Dos and Don’ts
By Shelby Ballou
With millions of people using social media, social media branding is becoming more and more important. The key to effective social branding, however, goes beyond simply creating social media profiles. There are things you absolutely have to do, and there are things you definitely shouldn’t do.
Here are seven dos and don’ts that will help you build your social brand!
Be quick and responsive
Research shows that most people expect a quick and professional response when they reach out to you on social media. Delayed responses will kill your brand. A simple, timely response to your social media interactions can go a long way to boost your brand image.
Don’t ignore users
Users have the power to make or break a brand. A single tweet, Facebook post, or social media update can have an enormous impact on your brand image. Ignoring users can destroy your brand, especially if those users post angry, negative things about your company. Involving them, however, can be extremely beneficial. Encourage users to participate in hashtags or post relevant photos to engage with your brand.
Be authentic
Research shows that consumers appreciate authentic content. People want “realness” now more than ever. Let your employees, users, and the people behind your brand regularly appear online, and you’ll be amazed at the support and loyalty you’ll get from users.
Don’t go crazy with self-promotion
Ultimately, your brand has to generate profits and sales, which is probably why you’re on social media in the first place. Obviously, you have to promote yourself. But too much self-promotion can be a bad thing. Many people will unfollow a brand on social media due to excessive self-promotion.
Make sure your brand name is consistent
Brand name consistency is the most important consideration people have when interacting with a brand. When connecting with brands online, people want to know exactly which brand they’re connecting with. Make sure your icon, color scheme, and brand name are consistent across all social media channels.
Use a consistent color scheme
Just like we mentioned before, brand color is important, too. A recent study found that the right use of color increases brand recognition by up to 80%. This is extremely important when using social media. Avoid using conflicting colors.
Promote the right offers
Using social media can be profitable for brands. Many people expect brands to help them discover relevant products and services. The key here is to promote products that fit your customers’ needs. It’s important to regularly interact with your customers to find out what they want or would find useful.
[Original post here.]
