Social media etiquette today for businesses may be different than it was several years ago. More people are on social media today than ever before. If you don’t understand social media etiquette you may lose followers or even worse, customers! So here are some do and don’ts social media etiquette you can use to inspire others on your social media channels.
Be sure to learn the do and don’ts of social media etiquette to inspire others on social media.
The latest 2021 stats from Pew Research show some 84% of 18- to 29-year-olds indicate that they use any form of social media. (That is actually less than in 2018!) That share falls to 81% among those ages 30 to 49, to 73% among those ages 50 to 64, and to 45% among Americans 65 and older.
The increase of social media usage is for those aged 50 years old and above.
The way each social channel is used may vary from the other.
Do and Don’ts Social Media Etiquette
Businesses just as personal users on Facebook and other social media networks must be careful not to post too often. Do you still see your Facebook stream overwhelmed by a certain few users today?
The other rule of thumb I always said was not to post political topics on your social media business feed. Well, that rule of thumb has gone out the window it seems!
However, I do still recommend that you follow that advice. Otherwise, you may end up in a battle with a client or a potential client. Is it worth it? That is for you to decide. Or even worse, have your social media account suspended.
Hence, the one exception to the overposting rule is Twitter.
Twitter Etiquette for You
On Twitter, hashtags are more important than ever before. Be sure to use them and use them well there. You can use programs like RiteTag to help you find the best hashtags for your posts. As a result, only use 1-3 hashtags on Twitter.
Twitter is not meant for just promoting your own products and services. (That is called push marketing, being pushy!) Be sure to share other relevant content with your audience. Engage with others on Twitter often and thank those peeps that share your tweets. (And not just the ones in which they share your content – Selfish!)
Equally important are the retweets on Twitter. Be generous in retweets and add some content before a tweet – give others a reason to click on the tweet. Add something like: I just read and commented on this great post about XYZ. Learn more about XYZ here. Great tips from XYZ. Twitter is the one network where you can share often.
Equally important, is to use your Twitter lists. This will keep you out of the political battles and issues being tweeted today more than ever before.
For more Twitter etiquette and Twitter, tips check out my new eBook Learn to Tweet and Thrive on Twitter.
Instagram Manners for All
Instagram is now one of the hottest social networks that users log into daily. The top etiquette tip is never to share anyone else’s photo without permission. This one tip should apply to all social networks and blogs.
Hashtags are huge on Instagram, did you know you can have up to 30 hashtags there? Try to start using all of them today. Check out more great Instagram tips here to up your Instagram game.
One-third of all internet users use Instagram today and the age demographic tends to be lower. (18-29) Do note the engagement level of Instagram is higher than most of the other social networks.
Therefore, be sure to engage with others on this powerful social network.
Using social media etiquette is a must on this popular social network! Finally, be sure to check out tips here by InfoBunny on getting started with Instagram if you haven’t already.
LinkedIn Professional Manners
Do you send a personal invitation to connect on LinkedIn? That could set you or your business apart today on this business professional social networking site.
Using groups on LinkedIn to help others and contribute is a top-notch social media etiquette tip. It’s not the place to promote your business only. Hence, be sure to remain professional throughout your interactions here.
Become known in your niche by sharing your knowledge on this network. Don’t forget to engage in a very professional manner as well. You can now also use video on this network (fairly new!).
However, be sure your videos are done in a professional manner on Linkedin. No children or pets to be included here! Unless you have a pet-related business or a daycare, etc.
Pinterest Manners
Are you always linking back to the original source on Pinterest? That along with a mention is the most polite way to be on this visual social networking site. Also, be aware not to pin away all at once each day. Schedule them out with an app like Tailwind.
Above all be sure to spread your pins out. That is another tip that could apply to all the social media channels. No one wants to see their stream or feed filled up by the same person all the time.
It’s the quickest way to lose social media followers. Be mindful of others.
Snapchat Manners
Snapchat is becoming another fast-growing network no longer just for teens. This network has grown for business use and marketing. Your snaps can become stories and be used elsewhere on the web. Many businesses and news organizations are now using Snapchat.
Always remember anything you put up online – is it okay if your mom saw it? If it passes that test you can post and snap away.
Alternative Social Media
Not only do you need to know the do and don’ts of social media etiquette on the old social media networks but also on the newer alternative social media networks that have cropped up over the past few years.
These newer social networks may include:
- MeWe
- Gab
- Rumble
- Gettr
- Parler
- Minds
- Koo
- One Amend
- Boxy
- Hive OnBoard
Many of these above social networking sites are similar to either Facebook or Twitter in nature. It’s hard to find the stats from these as most are being censored on mainstream search engines.
Both MeWe and Gab have groups similar to Facebook so you can engage without having a filled-up political feed.
Social Media Etiquette For Every Social Network
My biggest tip for all the networks is not to post only your own stuff. Be sure that the 80/20 rule applies. Share 80% of others’ stuff and only 20% of your own stuff.
Posting too much promotional content will surely get people to stop following you or engaging with you. Engaging on the networks is the ultimate goal. Therefore, engage politely and you will reap the rewards over time. Do not expect results overnight with any social media. It can take small businesses years to build up an engaged audience. (unless you spend a lot of money on social media ads!)
Next, tagging people just to get to them to look at your latest post without them being mentioned is in poor taste. They may unfollow you just for that reason alone!
Watch Your Language and Tone
Over the past several years since I first wrote this blog post, things have gotten shall we say “ill-mannered” on social media?
One of the best ways to avoid this type of thing happening is to stay focused on your purpose. You can do this by staying in groups or on Twitter lists.
These groups and lists help to keep you more focused on social media. The same applies to other networks like Pinterest (boards) and Gab groups.
In Conclusion of Do and Don’ts of Social Media Etiquette
Finally, be sure to respond quickly on social media. People do not want to wait long for responses today. Speed is everything today online and of course on mobile.
Remember, how the human brain is like that of a goldfish? You only have 8 seconds to get your message across to someone for them to remember it. Only 8 seconds!
Therefore, using a social listening app like Brand24 or Awario can help you to respond quickly.
What other tips can you share to be sure your social media etiquette is up to snuff today?
Did any of these tips about social media etiquette surprise you? Have you noticed manners have disappeared more than ever before on social media?
I’d love to know more in the comments below.
