According to Mashable.com, a common mistake people make is not blogging regularly.  They write:  Think about the blogs you read on a regular basis — how many of them publish only sporadically? Most successful blogs put out new content at least a couple of times per week and try to stick to a regular schedule. Consistently putting out quality content will keep readers returning and over time it will help you build a community and turn your customers into fans.

How to Avoid: Blogging regularly isn’t easy, so to avoid burning out, brainstorm editorial ideas ahead of time. If you plan to put out new posts every Tuesday and Friday, for example, try not to start writing Tuesday’s post on Tuesday morning. Get other people at your company involved so that one person isn’t shouldering the entire blogging load, and even consider sourcing content from your customers. Remember that anything can provide fodder for a good blog post, so pay attention to the things you read or see on other blogs, newspapers, magazines, or television.

http://mashable.com/2009/09/21/business-blogging-mistakes/

All of the top social media professionals have reported over and over, success in blogging happens over time.

Mashable.com reported: Blogging isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Your blog won’t be an overnight success, and for the first few months it might feel like you’re writing for no one. It can take time to build up your readership and have a regular community of people who participate on your blog. Don’t expect immediate returns from your blog and do expect to put in a lot of hard work.

How to Avoid: Set attainable goals and realize that you’re in it for the long haul. Don’t cancel your blogging efforts after three months — give it at least a year of regularly putting out quality, original content. And make sure that your blog is easy to find, and that your readers are able to easily comment and share posts with others.

http://mashable.com/2009/09/21/business-blogging-mistakes/

Mashable.com has reported before, blogging is a conversation, and not allowing it to occur on your blog is a mistake. It’s true that blog comments can open you up to criticism, but blogging is an unparalleled opportunity to connect with your customers. You’ll get a lot more out of blogging if you enable — and even encourage — your customers to respond to what you write.

How to Avoid: Obviously the first thing you need to do is enable commenting on your business blog. But beyond that, you need to remember that the conversation is two-way. Get in there and respond to the comments readers leave on your blog and you’ll be more likely to develop a community around your writing that can help turn your customers into fans who will evangelize your products and services and provide you with quality feedback. You should also participate in the conversation on other blogs in your industry by leaving comments on posts elsewhere around the blogosphere. That will help you to establish your “blogging brand” and bring new readers your way.

Article taken from http://mashable.com/2009/09/21/business-blogging-mistakes/

According to Mashable.com, the number one mistake that business bloggers make is to treat their blog as an extension of their current press center. Repeat after me: Your blog is not the place for press releases. Blogging is a conversation and it offers a way for your customers to connect with your business on a completely new level. Press releases, on the other hand, are the exact opposite. They’re impersonal, they’re self promotional, and most readers don’t trust them. If you use your blog to republish press releases your customers will have no reason to keep reading and they’ll also likely not trust your content.

How to Avoid: First, don’t ever put out a press release on your blog. You can use your blog to make product or other business announcements, but do so with original writing and in a more casual voice. Second, do use your blog to write about things other than your core business. Share your thoughts on your industry, share insights into the day-to-day work life and processes at your company, and provide tips and tricks you have learned during your time in business.

http://mashable.com/2009/09/21/business-blogging-mistakes/

Everyone knows social media sites are fun to use.  But there are certain actions you should avoid. Take a look at the following list of things NOT to do:

DO NOT:

1. Provide your home address or home phone # online
2. Upload pictures that you do not want EVERYONE to see
3. Tell everything (TMI) about yourself
4. Add people you do not know
5. Accept requests from strangers
6. Write negative things about people
7. Write negative things about yourself
8. Write things you would not say to a person’s face
9. Air your dirty laundry
10. Act like a drama queen
11. Oversell yourself
12. Allow your friends to post inappropriate comments

Watch out…YOU’VE BEEN TAGGED!

Have you ever been “tagged” through Facebook in a post, picture, flyer, or article that you are not in?  If the person posting a picture, message or video “tags” you, it will end up on your WALL for everyone to see.  If you are not in the post and you get tagged, then you are actually being spammed.

Facebook “tagging” features gives you the ability to identify and reference people in photos, messages or videos.  Tagging, when used properly,  is a great way to share pictures and videos with your community.  Unfortunately, some people are using Facebook tagging as a spam tool… a way to get on your wall which is visible to all your friends.

What can you do about it?  Normally, these people do not stop tagging, so you have to take action.  First, delete that posting from your wall.  Next, you can send them an email and ask them to stop tagging you, delete this person from your friends list or report them to Facebook as a Spammer and their account will be reviewed.

Social Media Marketing is a long-term commitment and begins with planning.  Here are some questions to ask yourself before (or during) your social media campaign:

1. What do you want to accomplish at week 2, week 4, week 8, 3 months,  and 6 months?
2. What programs do you want to use?
3. Do you know how to use these programs effectively?  If not, how will you learn?
4. How much time are you going to commit each day or week to social media?
5. How will you measure success with social media?
6. How will you measure ROI?
7. Do you have the proper Analytics reporting system in place?
8. Do you have a website that you can drive traffic to and are you proud of your website?
9. What kind of conversations will you have online?
10. How will you handle comments and responses?

Remember, your online efforts develop over time and bear fruit in different stages of your campaign.  Do not give up.