Social media has become an essential tool for personal and business communication in the modern digital age. It allows individuals and organizations to connect with others, share information, and build relationships with their audience.

However, as with any communication tool, there are certain do's and don'ts that should be followed to ensure that you are using social media effectively and responsibly. Understanding these best practices can help you maximize the benefits of social media while minimizing the risks.

SOCIAL MEDIA DO'S

1.Test and Try New Things

It’s essential to continuously test and try new things on social media, as the platforms are always evolving. 

Always be on the lookout for new features or updates that could benefit your business – being aware of these changes and taking advantage of them is key to staying ahead of the competition.

2. Create Content for Your Ideal Customer

When planning your social media strategy, make sure you focus on creating content that appeals to your ideal customer,

Whether it’s informative blog posts, educational videos, or interactive polls – ensure that whatever you’re putting out there is providing your customer with the right information they need to make an informed decision. 

3. Be Consistent and Post Regularly

Consistent posting not only helps you create a routine around your social media marketing activity, but it also encourages the algorithm to show your content more often. 

Regular posting also gives you an edge when it comes to competing with other businesses on social media, as staying active helps ensure that your brand remains top-of-mind for potential customers.

4. Build Relationships and Engage with Your Followers

This helps to create relationships and trust with them, as well as giving you invaluable feedback from customers, which can be used to improve your content or strategies. 

Make sure to respond to comments, answer questions and share other people’s content that could potentially interest your followers. 

5. Schedule Posts 

When crafting content for social media, scheduling posts should be a priority. 

This helps get your message to the right audience at the right time, making it easier to manage your time and resources wisely. 

Scheduling can also give you more flexibility when it comes to content creation, as it allows you to plan ahead and get organized. 

6. Optimize Your Profile

Include relevant keywords in your bio so the algorithm recognizes what kind of content you’re posting and shows it to more people. 

Additionally, add a call-to-action in your profile, encouraging followers to take the next step and become customers.

7. Vary Your Post Type

Aim to mix things up by posting different kinds of content, such as educational pieces, stories, industry news, polls, and surveys.

8. Narrow Your Focus to One Channel

Think about the types of people you’re reaching on that one platform – what are their likes, dislikes, challenges, fears, etc. 

What type of content do they engage with and consume? Create your content with that one channel in mind. 

9. Use Relevant Hashtags

Hashtags can help you join larger conversations related to your industry, or they can be specific to the post itself. 

10. Use social media analytics:

Analytics can help you track your performance on social media and make data-driven decisions about your content strategy.

SOCIAL MEDIA DON'TS

1. Don't post offensive content:

Offensive content can damage your reputation and turn off potential followers.

2. Don't engage in arguments:

Arguments can quickly spiral out of control on social media, so it's best to avoid them altogether.

3.Don't share fake news:

Sharing fake news can harm your credibility and spread misinformation.

4. Don't overshare personal information:

Personal information should be kept private to protect your identity and personal safety.

5. Don't spam your followers:

Constantly promoting your products or services can be annoying to your followers and make them unfollow you.

6. Don't neglect your social media accounts:

Inactive accounts can signal to potential followers that you're not interested in engaging with them or are no longer in business.

In conclusion, following social media best practices like engaging with followers, sharing valuable content, and being authentic can help you build relationships and establish yourself as a thought leader. It's important to use social media strategically while maintaining genuine human interaction.