4 Social Media Myths Debunked

Social media has been around long enough that myths about it have become pretty commonplace. Thanks to the internet, many of these myths have been presented as facts, and some businesses even create a strategy based upon this misinformation.

Today we’re going to debunk four common myths about social media to help inform what your social media marketing strategy should actually look like in order to help you generate leads. Being able to separate fact from fiction will not only keep you “social media savvy,” it will also help you get the most out of your social platforms. 

Isn’t Social Media Just for Branding?

You’ve probably heard people talk about the benefit of social media for brand awareness or engagement, and this is definitely true. But, if that’s all you plan on using it for, you’re missing out on an incredible opportunity to generate leads and nurture them to become customers. 

Because users on social media usually spend a significant amount of time there, it’s very likely your brand can capture some of their time and attention by sharing posts that drive visitors to a landing page on your website. Once they arrive, you can provide them with valuable information and offers in exchange for their contact information. From there, it’s all about nurturing the relationship to help them become a prospect and a customer. 

If I’m on Every Network, Won’t That Boost My Brand Awareness?

The only thing that might be more prevalent than the abundant number of social media myths is the actual number of social media platforms you can choose to use. Usually, we can all agree that more is better. But, it is possible to have too much of a good thing, especially when it comes to marketing your business on social media.

While creating an account on a new network might seem like a great way to attract new visitors, it can actually be a waste of time. You need to focus on building a strong presence only on networks where your ideal customers are spending the majority of their time. If your buyer personas show that your ideal customer is more likely to use Facebook and LinkedIn than Twitter and Snapchat, it does nothing for your strategy to spend time on the latter two. Instead, focus your energy, effort, and budget on the networks that are most likely to help you generate leads and new customers. 

Aren’t Young People the Only Ones on Social Media?

Ok, there is some truth to this one, if you’re considering the average user age for a platform like TikTok or Snapchat. But if you’re just looking at the age of social media users across all platforms, you’re much more likely to find that all age ranges have a strong presence across the board. According to a study by Statista, over 80% of all adults ages 30-49 use social media, and 69% of adults ages 50-69 are on some platform. Those numbers aren’t insignificant.

This is also really great news for brands. Knowing your ideal customers inside and out means you can identify the platforms where they are most likely to spend their time and concentrate your efforts where you’re most likely to capture the attention of people who really want to know about your business. 

I Don’t Need a Social Media Budget, Right?

When social media first entered our digital radars, businesses who jumped on the bandwagon early were able to take advantage of having a free platform to engage their audience. While social media is still a relatively inexpensive or decently priced medium for growing your business, it is no longer free. Nowadays, savvy marketing directors and business owners create a line item in their budget for ads on social media platforms. 

It might seem counterintuitive to pay money to generate leads on a platform that is free for its millions (if not billions) of users. However, social news feeds are so saturated with different posts, it’s beneficial to give your business an edge in attracting visitors to your landing pages. The amount you budget for social ads will vary based upon your business, buyer personas, and your industry, but most companies find that ads on social media are worth the price. 

It’s important to understand the truths about social media so that you can harness this powerful tool in your digital marketing tool belt. Hopefully, we’ve got you well on your way to separating fiction from fact, and you can create a social media marketing plan that is more informed and effective. 

Are you interested in learning more about growing your business through social media, creating digital ads on these platforms, or figuring out how to use video well to engage your audience? We share all of that and more on our blog. Make sure you’re signed up to receive each week’s posts by clicking the image below!