Debunking Common Social Media Myths
In the past decade, social media marketing has exploded. And with rapid growth comes growing pains.
Today, nearly every business has a social media presence, yet too many companies still use outdated strategies as the market evolves past them.
Whether you use social media to promote new products, field customer service requests, or strengthen ties with customers, social platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest can help business owners meaningfully engage with their customer base.
However, you only get the benefits when you have a clear social strategy to back it up. To help you cut through the clutter and maximize your reach, we’re debunking common social media myths and highlighting how partnering with a professional can level up your social media presence.
The most common social media myths
1. You can do social media yourself.
Yes, in the early days of social media marketing, most brands could get away with cross-posting the same content on all their social channels on the same day and time and waiting for the results to roll in.
But in today’s market, bland just doesn’t do it.
Creating thumb-stopping content and SEO-charged captions is a full-time job. If you don’t have the time necessary to dedicate to your social media, work with someone who does.
Need support? Working with an agency like Zehnder or a social media community manager can boost your social media stats without the headache. From tracking trending topics and staying on top of algorithm shifts, support from an expert can help lighten your load and maximize your reach.
2. AI can handle it.
When it comes to social media, AI can be a helpful tool in a marketer’s arsenal. But putting AI totally in charge is a risky move you might regret later.
Without the human touch, AI-generated social media content all sounds exactly like the data it’s trained on. This leads to boring, regurgitated content and missed opportunities to outrank other businesses. Think about it – if you and your competitor both use generative AI, you’ll likely post the same content. If you take the time to create unique posts, you’ll have an easy edge.
There’s also an ethical concern about putting your social on autopilot. From spreading misinformation to propagating biases in input data, AI can run wild when left unchecked.
So instead of giving ChatGPT the keys, use AI as a brainstorming tool to spark new ideas. Just make sure you’re still steering the ship yourself. Truly impactful social content is unique, nuanced, and human-driven – something AI can never replace.
3. Just slap a hashtag on it.
Since the early days of social media, hashtags have helped users categorize their content and boost its visibility.
But whether you’re tapping into trends or grouping conversations, social media algorithms are becoming more and more sophisticated, and slapping on a couple of hashtags just won’t cut it anymore.
In the past few years, social media algorithms have become increasingly personalized, serving content based on each user's engagement and preferences. And while hashtags still play a role in promoting organic discovery on some platforms, the landscape looks a lot different than it did in the 2010s.
However, hashtags still play a role in boosting social SEO across platforms. While social media platforms are not technically search engines, they often function as such. For example, people use Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and others to find new recipes, restaurants, and more. Social SEO uses text-based features like captions, alt-text, and hashtags to make it easier for users to find your content. But in order to maximize your reach, it helps to use those SEO keywords.
It’s also important to note that the impact of hashtags varies from platform to platform, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. But when you use strategic hashtags in combination with a targeted social media strategy, you can still make this free tool work for you.
4. You have to “go viral.”
In an oversaturated social media landscape, we all want our moment in the sun. But no, “going viral” isn’t a simple process. It’s a game of luck more than strategy, and there’s no guaranteed formula for success.
So instead of banking on buzz, focus on creating authentic, original content that resonates with your audience. The Sprout Social Index found that 51% of consumers believe responding to customers on social media makes brands memorable. So by engaging with customers regularly rather than chasing trends, you can create content that sings and the likes and shares will roll in organically.
With a few well-researched keywords, a bit of paid promotion, and the right timing, you can create content that deserves attention. Just make sure you’re also prioritizing audience engagement.
How an agency like Zehnder can support your social strategy
Social channels are an extension of your digital presence – but the landscape is constantly changing.
Working with an agency or social media community manager is the key to boosting your visibility. As social media professionals, it’s our job to keep up with the latest trends and nitty gritty algorithm shifts so your content performs well – without taking you away from the primary focus of your business.
Content planning across multiple channels and dynamic content creation with an emphasis on thought leadership are just a few of the game-changing services social media professionals bring to the table. We can even help with customer support services, replying to direct messages so you never miss an opportunity to connect with your audience.
True impact comes from strategic planning combined with compelling content. Let the experts at Zehnder help you stand out.
