---
title: 6 Social Media Blunders to Avoid
description: Using social media in the right way is key to avoiding mistakes.
---

[Social Media for Small Business Blog ](https://www.jonespr.net/sm4smb)

# [6 Social Media Blunders to Avoid](https://www.jonespr.net/sm4smb/6-social-media-blunders-to-avoid-in-2017-0)

 Written by [Scott Muff](https://www.jonespr.net/sm4smb/author/scott-muff) | Apr 14, 2020 3:15:00 PM

Are you falling into bad social media habits that are sabotaging the benefits you derive from both organic and paid posts there?

[CJG Digital Marketing’s infographic](http://cjgdigitalmarketing.com/6-social-media-behaviors-to-avoid-in-2017/) outlines six social media sins you need to stop committing today. Some are things you may have gotten away with in an earlier time (say, back when Facebook had only a million members), but no longer.

Ready to reform your ways?

Find more solutions to these six problems elsewhere in the Inbound Accelerator blog or in our Inbound Marketing Learning Library at these links:

**1. Too many promotional messages?**

Social media, like blog posts, must inform and entertain more than it sells. Our recipe for a mix that is not too much, not too little here: [Find the Blogging Balance That Is Just Right](https://www.jonespr.net/inboundaccelerator/find-the-blogging-balance-that-is-just-right).

**2. Posting irrelevant information**

In this blog post on the power of [inbound marketing](https://www.jonespr.net/inboundaccelerator/inbound-marketings-biggest-benefits-when-you-do-it-right), we talk about how relevant content is at the heart of how prospects find your website. Really, social media isn’t much different. Your followers are looking for something specific from your brand—if you stray from those expectations, you’ll lose their attention and respect.

**3. Tweeting too much**

Don’t let adrenaline cause you to get carried away. Determine a set schedule for tweeting, and stick with it. Using a plan, such as our [Social Media Scheduling Worksheet](https://www.jonespr.net/social-media-scheduling-worksheet), in advance can help you stick with your strategy.

**4. Using slang or jargon awkwardly**

Just don’t. Just because social media is inherently less formal than other platforms, doesn’t mean you abandon good writing or speaking. This post from [Econsultancy](https://econsultancy.com/blog/67886-word-on-the-street-four-tips-for-using-slang-in-marketing/) highlights a few cringeworthy mishaps from brands trying to be too edgy. Better to follow the tips here: [Ban Buzzwords from Your Website Copy](https://www.jonespr.net/inboundaccelerator/ban-buzzwords-from-your-website-copy).

**5. Being too quiet**

As in point No. 3, scheduling your social media in advance, according to a set strategy, is a helpful tool in finding the optimum frequency.

**6. Not replying to messages**

Social media is meant to be interactive, which means your brand needs to reply and engage in the conversation. This means not only responding to messages to your brand, but also engaging in platforms such as groups on LinkedIn (especially for B2B social media) that involve relevant conversations. Our Digital Echo Goals & Reporting Template<**>** offers suggested targets for engagement for B2B marketers.

Find more social media resources in our [Inbound Marketing Learning Library here](https://www.jonespr.net/resources-topic/topic/social-media).

[View full post](https://www.jonespr.net/sm4smb/6-social-media-blunders-to-avoid-in-2017-0)

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