How can you avoid common social media mistakes when building relationships?

I would start by first having that sense of grounding of what the life compass is. And it could have many avatars. A business avatar which could be credibility, passion, monetization strategy etc. A human avatar which could be fallibility, insecurity, integrity, desire to compare with others. And then weave in both into the posts, reach outs, comments etc. And while the need for speed and scale with AI tools is very alluring, ask yourself the question if a very human sounding DM or video were to hit you and you found out later it was a bot generated one and not the person you thought was reaching out. Doing unto others as you would have them do to you!

Being authentic on social media makes your life simple and free. You are not competing with anyone but you just being real to yourself and your social network. Your value and personality continues to grow as you learn.

Building genuine relationships on social media requires authenticity and transparency. Avoid the mistake of presenting an idealized or false version of yourself or your brand. Instead, be authentic in your interactions, share your true personality, and provide accurate information. People value honesty and are more likely to trust and engage with individuals or businesses that are transparent. Avoid using deceptive tactics or exaggerated claims, as they can damage trust and harm your relationship-building efforts.

One of the most common mistakes people make on social media is focusing solely on self-promotion without actively listening and engaging with others. Building relationships requires two-way communication. Take the time to listen to your audience, understand their needs and interests, and respond genuinely to their comments, questions, and concerns. Show appreciation for their engagement by acknowledging and responding to their messages. Actively participate in relevant conversations, join communities or groups related to your field, and contribute value by providing helpful information or insights. By actively engaging with your audience, you can foster meaningful connections and establish yourself as a trusted resource in your industry.

An amazing TED talk by Niro Sivanathan nailed it on the dilution effect. It is not the aggregate of what you do, it is the average. So just randomly posting 10 times a day on a multitude of different topics doesn't mean a 10x impact, it means it is 10x less impact. Having an outcome driven approach of what it is you want the audience to feel and remember is important. And is definitely doesn't have to be your business or service. In fact, showing the human and fallible side is important. But with an clear outcome in mind.

While authenticity is crucial, having a strategic approach to your social media presence is essential. Define your goals, align your content and interactions accordingly, and provide value that resonates with your target audience. Avoid haphazard posting or irrelevant messages and instead focus on building relationships by demonstrating expertise, offering support, and providing feedback tailored to your specific relationship-building objectives.

There are more social media platforms that are appearing (did someone say Threads!!!). And we have only limited time and attention that we can spend on these. So be mindful of where you are spending your time and why. However, it is super important not to be wedded to just one platform. If you are put in quarantine by that platform, it could hurt you. So having a few at least where you can contribute, learn from and build a social brand is important. But also regularly evaluating the value and evolution of those platforms and if those start to align less with your purpose and focus, then walking away from those (and deleting any digital trail) is also critical to mindfulness and mental well being.