2018 brought new insights to the world of marketing. Social media changed dramatically for business profiles and we learned to promote real conversations and engagement across platforms. Although 2019 promises some new and exciting trends in marketing, let's review last year's 5 biggest marketing mistakes and how to fix them.

#1: Not engaging with followers

This was the most common mistake made in 2018. Engagement (replying, commenting, retweeting, tagging, sharing, etc.) is critical and powers many social media algorithms. As Facebook puts it, the more “meaningful conversations” that a post creates, the more people will see the post organically. Be sure to respond to every outreach and promote conversations yourself. Acknowledge new followers, tag other companies (or people!), and always share like-minded content.

#2: Posting the same content across all platforms

We all know it’s easy to create one post then schedule it across all platforms, but this is a big no no in 2019! Since social media platforms’ posting guidelines range from character count to graphic size needs, if you post the same thing cross-platform, you risk cutting off sentences or displaying images incorrectly. Each social channel has a unique mission -  LinkedIn is for professional connections and networking, while Facebook is a place to promote conversations and have fun. 

#3: Growing your follower count by following/unfollowing

Many believe the way to increase your follower count is by following and unfollowing many accounts, most commonly on Instagram or Twitter. This might boost your numbers at first, but you’ll soon see your follower count slowly fade away. In the long run, your followers will plateau and you’ll attract “fake” followers – or those that aren’t related to your brand or business. Your goal shouldn’t be to have more followers but to attract true, like-minded followers. To see results and ROI, the best strategy is quality over quantity. To gain real followers, follow accounts who are related to your business and interact with them. Leave genuine comments and build relationships. Read their captions and share your input. It takes time, but it works!

#4: Ignoring video marketing

Video marketing gained momentum in 2018, and will continue to pick up steam this year. Video content is taking over the internet and out performs other types of posts. Implementing video content into your marketing strategy is easier than you think. You can start by posting short Instagram stories that don’t need editing or film planning. When you’re ready to level-up, try filming an interview, intro video or Q&A since answers can be short and sweet. Just be sure to stay true to your voice and brand’s story-telling. 

#5: Not sharing your story

We often get so caught up in selling a product or service, we forget to tell the story behind it. The “why” behind your business is vital because it gives meaning to your messaging. Sharing the story behind your brand evokes emotional marketing, creating more invested customers. As you likely know, "content is king" and allows brands to position themselves as industry leaders, attract an audience of like-minded people, and create a loyal community of followers. This year, why not try storytelling. Tell your audience why you started, what drives you, and how you’re making a difference.

Now that the New Year is in full swing, fix these five marketing mistakes and embrace a new, healthier marketing strategy in 2019. 

Let us know how we can assist in your New Years marketing efforts.