4 Social Media Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Make When Building Their Brand + How to Fix Them

Starting a business of any kind is incredibly demanding, from managing finances to logistics, but it gets even more frustrating when your social media marketing gets overlooked and buried by the algorithm. Social media is the marketing and advertising hub of this generation, and it's crucial to use it to its full potential when you're starting out with little to no marketing budget.

Here are 4 social media mistakes new entrepreneurs commonly make, and how to fix them, so you can stress less and end up on all your future customers' screens.

1. Posting on all Social Media Platforms

   It's easy to assume that it's necessary to post on every platform, from Facebook to Instagram to LinkedIn, but usually this causes you to post lots of content poorly, as you have different consumers to tailor to depending on the app. When you spread yourself thin, it not only creates stress and pressure for you but also makes the results less promising than you hoped.

   
   

   

The fix: Think of the cliché 'quality over quantity': Pick one or two platforms for your brand and focus completely on developing your presence to tailor to your specific customers, before branching out further.

Tip: If you are struggling with your platform, consider a meeting with a social media marketing strategist, like Sarah Curcio, to talk you through their suggestions to find your niche platform(s).

2. Only Posting Your Product/Service

   When you go shopping and are trying to browse in an environment where someone is constantly shoving their product in your face, it can be frustrating, and you lose interest very quickly. This is what we want to avoid, as only posting your products can become uninteresting, and customers will not feel like they are gaining any value from your business.

   
   

   

The fix: Variety is key. Use the various post options available on the platform to provide value to the community. For instance, Instagram allows you to post reels (short-form videos) for entertainment, posts (photos or flyers) for education, and stories (polls) to connect with your customers. This variety keeps your audience interested and engaged, so they don't feel like just a number but like someone they can trust to deliver for them.

Tip: Try to promote your product or service in an interactive way. For example, if you are a clothing brand, show a reel on how to style certain pieces in a variety of ways to spark interest among your customers, rather than just posting a shirt for sale.

3. Ignoring Comments or DMs

   No one ever likes feeling ignored, no matter the relationship. If your customers notice that you never give them the time of day to answer their concerns and questions, they will slowly lose interest and trust. The algorithm will notice as well. A lack of engagement will hinder growth, even if you stay consistent with your usual posts.

The fix: Reply to comments for around 15-20 minutes after your post has been up for 1-3 hours every time. If you don't post that day, check in for 10 minutes in the morning to make sure you're up to date and didn't miss anything overnight.

Tip: The faster you reply, the more trust and loyalty the customer will have towards you and your brand, as it feels like a genuine connection rather than just another notification.

4. Feeling Discouraged Too Early

   It is hard when you are putting a lot of energy and time into your social media platform(s) and not seeing the results you need (and want). Many new entrepreneurs feel very inspired for a few weeks, then lose interest or quit before they can build momentum from their posts.

The fix: Develop a posting schedule of which days you will post and which kinds of posts you will need content for, in a calendar at least 90 days long, before judging the results. Consistency is important for your brand and your customers, so they know what to expect when they revisit your profile.

Tip: Most platforms have built-in metrics to track your performance. Use the results to see what kind of posts gain the most traction or what time of day gains the most views, so you can adjust moving forward.

Bottom Line: Mistakes aren't forever.

These mistakes can be fixed with the following adjustments and some time. Remember that the growth from social media marketing can't happen overnight. It's important for you to stay consistent in your posts and engage with your customers to establish your brand's presence and build long-lasting relationships.

Tip: Focus on one area to improve at a time so they can eventually build on each other. However, if this still feels taunting, feel free to reach out to Sarah by phone to gain clarity, or hire Sarah and her team to grow your brand with one of her marketing campaign bundles.

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Now, in the meantime, please feel free to connect with Sarah Curcio from Sarah's Social Strategy LLC, or join her group by clicking here. Then, if you're ready to take your marketing strategy to the next level, let's have a discussion by scheduling a free discovery call.