Avoiding common social media pitfalls

We’ve all made mistakes on social media—whether it’s a post with a glaring typo, launching a new service to crickets, or just feeling completely overwhelmed by what to post next. Social media is an amazing tool, but it’s also full of sneaky pitfalls that can trip you up if you’re not careful.

So in this post, let’s go through the biggest social media mistakes and, most importantly, how to avoid them. No shame, no judgement — just practical advice to help you navigate social media like an absolute winner!

Pitfall 1: Posting without a strategy

We've all been there—staring at the screen, feeling like we should post something but having no idea what to say. So, we throw something up last-minute just to stay visible.

The problem? Random posting leads to random results.

If you’re posting without a plan, you’re making it much harder for yourself to see meaningful engagement or business growth.

What to do instead: Have a simple but clear content plan. Even if it’s as basic as “Mondays for tips, Wednesdays for behind-the-scenes, Fridays for fun.” At the beginning of each month, set an objective for your social media—whether it's promoting a new offer, growing your audience, or increasing engagement. Then, align your content to that goal so every post serves a purpose.

Pitfall 2: Posting and ghosting

You post something and then… disappear. No replies to comments, no follow-up conversations, no engagement with others. Social media isn’t just about broadcasting — it’s about building relationships. And when you ghost your audience, they notice.

What to do instead: Treat social media as a conversation, not a monologue. Spend 10-15 minutes engaging before and after you post — reply to comments, answer DMs, and interact with other people’s content. Not only does this boost your visibility in the algorithm, but it also builds trust and community around your brand.

Pitfall 3: Trying to be everywhere at once

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, Pinterest… the list never ends. Trying to be active on every platform at once is exhausting and usually ineffective. Instead of creating meaningful engagement, you’re spreading yourself too thin.

What to do instead: Choose one or two platforms where your audience is most active and focus on doing them well. Be consistent, engage authentically, and build a strong presence in those spaces before expanding elsewhere. Quality always beats quantity!

Pitfall 4: Ignoring video content

You know video is powerful, but maybe you’ve been avoiding it because it feels intimidating. You’re worried about what to say, how you’ll look, or whether anyone will even watch. But the reality is — video is one of the best ways to build trust and connect with your audience.

What to do instead: Start small. You don’t have to go live or create polished productions right away. Try posting simple Instagram Stories, a voiceover on a Reel, or a behind-the-scenes clip of your work. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel. And remember — people don’t expect perfection; they just want to see the real you.

Pitfall 5: Not having a clear call to action

Ever seen a great post, found it interesting, and then… moved on? That’s what happens when there’s no clear next step for your audience. A post without a call to action (CTA) is a missed opportunity.

What to do instead: Every post should guide your audience toward something — whether it’s engaging with the content, clicking a link, signing up for something, or starting a conversation. Keep it simple, direct, and easy to follow. Instead of just “Let me know what you think,” try “Drop a 💡 emoji if this resonates” or “DM me for details.”

Pitfall 6: Overthinking everything

You start writing a post, tweak it, rewrite it, doubt yourself, and then decide not to post at all. Sound familiar? Perfectionism is one of the biggest obstacles to consistency on social media.

What to do instead: Just post it! Social media is meant to be conversational and evolving — it doesn’t need to be perfect. Set a timer for 10 minutes, write your post, and hit publish. You can always refine your approach over time, but if you’re not posting at all, you’re missing opportunities to grow.

Social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you build engagement, gain confidence, and actually enjoy using social media for your business.

And if you need help figuring out your strategy, book a Content Power Hour with me and let’s get your content sorted!

PREFER TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONTENT? Head to my podcast over on Spotify where I’m chatting all about this very topic in episode 15!

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