How to Stop Failing at Social Media Marketing and Become Likeable

3. Ask questions.

Wondering why nobody’s responding to your posts on Facebook?

It’s probably because you’re not asking questions. Social media is about engagement and having a conversation, not about promoting. If a pizza place posts on Facebook, “”Come on by, 2 pizzas for just $12,” nobody will comment, and nobody will show up. Instead, if that same pizza shop posts, “What’s your favorite topping?” people will comment online — and then be more likely to show up.

4. Share pictures and videos.

People love photos. The biggest reason Facebook has gone from zero to 1 billion users is due to photo sharing. Photos and videos tell stories about you in ways that text alone cannot. You don’t need a production budget, either.

Use your smartphone to take pictures and short videos of customers, staff, and cool things at your business, and then upload them directly to Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. A picture really is worth a thousand words.

5. Spend at least 30 minutes each day on social media.

If you bought a newspaper ad or radio ad, you wouldn’t spend five minutes on it or relegate it to interns. Plus, there’s a lot to learn, and every week, new tools and opportunities across social networks emerge.

Spend real time each day reading and learning, listening and responding, and truly joining the conversation. The more time you put in to social media, the more benefits your business will receive.

Above all else, keep that customer cap on, and follow the golden rule: Would you yourself click the “Like” button, the Follow button, or Retweet button if you saw your own business on Facebook and Twitter?

Would you want to be friends with your business at a cocktail party?

Connect with Dave on Twitter.

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Photo: Macys

Dave Kerpen is the co-founder and CEO of Likeable, an award-winning social media agency, and author of New York Times Bestseller, Likeable Social Media. Dave has been featured on CNBC’s “On the Money”, ABC World News Tonight, the CBS Early Show, the New York Times, and countless blogs. He has also spoken at dozens of social media related conferences and webinars for organizations such as WOMMA and the American Marketing Association.