Busting Social Media Myths

Some myths deserve to be busted in cold, hardcore fashion. But, when it comes to social media marketing myths, there are so many of them that it’s tough to know where to start. So, we’re starting with the three most prevalent.

Myth #1: Social Media Marketing Isn’t Right for My Company

Nothing could be farther from the truth. If you take a look at corporations that should be on the cutting edge of social media, like Apple or AT&T, you might be shocked to learn that these companies are lagging behind. Instead, you see brands like Old Spice and Smirnoff Vodka stealing the show and leaving everyone else in the dust.

Why? It’s certainly not because deodorant and booze are easily associated with social media. These companies made social media work in their favor because they used the one thing that can level any playing field: creativity.

Myth #2: Social Media Marketing’s No Different Than Spam Marketing

The difference between social media marketing and spam marketing is huge. Spam marketing is the equivalent of taking the easy – and far less effective – route to “getting yourself out there.” On the other hand, social marketing actually requires you to engage your customer base – hence the word “social.”

The fact is social marketing can be a fun experience for both you and your customers because it encourages interaction. When was the last time you heard someone say “Oh look, another spam email!” with anything but disdain in their voice? On the other hand, a well thought out social marketing strategy can actually get your customers excited about your brand, which will lead them to share the love with friends they think will also be interested.

Myth #3: Social Media Marketing Requires Too Much Work

It’s true that a social media marketing plan does require a fair amount of thought effort. But the fact that social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are entirely free to use changes everything.

A social media campaign brings an immensely greater ROI than traditional advertising because you’re not spending money on the actual advertisement – not to mention the fact that it can reach a far bigger audience than your typical TV, radio, or billboard ad.

In the end, it's true: you do need social media if you want to get to your target audience, find out what they need, get their attention and maximize your marketing budget. If you need a kick-start to launch your company’s social media profile, it's true, there’s no shortage of local and national companies that can help you on your way.