Don’t Make These Social Media Mistakes

Sometimes People Online Remind Me of Awkward Turtles

As a group owner for one of the largest groups on Facebook, with over 61,000 members, some of the stuff we see on a daily basis would make your eyelashes curl.

I thought I’d share some of the most interesting mistakes that I see on a regular basis, so that you can hopefully get a giggle or two, and maybe a wince too.

1. They join Facebook groups with the only purpose of posting about their business.
   Unfortunately(or fortunately, depending on your point of view), Facebook has started restricting people who go from group to group posting the same thing over and over again. It used to be that you could just promote your business that way. Do it now, and unless you are in a promotion group, you will find yourself booted out, and possibly find your account reported to Facebook.
2. Send spammy messages to all of the members of a group. Spam is in the eyes of the beholder, but the most frequent complaints I get on a daily basis are people who join a group, then start sending promo messages to the members. Facebook has started putting people in jail for messaging too many in a row that you aren’t friends with. (Thankfully)
3. Add someone as a friend, then instantly add them to your Facebook Group, or send them a message asking them to buy your stuff. This is annoying, and will get your group reported as spam, and your profile reported as well. Sending friend requests just for the intent of sending them your “stuff” is a great way to get people really, really mad.
4. Posting something innocuous, and if someone responds, sending them an unrelated, spam request. I had someone who tried to sell me toothpaste after I commented on an unrelated food post on her feed. Please no.
5. Mining friends’ friend lists. Sending someone a friend request, so you can then mine their friend lists is slimy. Just say no to this behavior.
6. Sending messages to someone you haven’t talked to in 5, 10, 20 years, and asking them to buy your… stuff. Talk about desperation. At least reach out to someone and rekindle the relationship if you’re going to try to sell them stuff.
7. Posting regular woe is me stories, then “buy from me”. It drives people away super fast. Be real. Be you, but don’t be too needy, especially if you’re trying to build an audience.
8. Forget that people go onto social media to be social, not be sold to. They might decide to buy though.

In general, there rule is this: treat people the way you would like to be treated and be a real person.