Promoting the 'write' way (4 practices to avoid)

HEY EVERYONE!!!! ***READ THIS POST AND GET A FREE GLASS OF WATER!!!!

Did you find that sentence annoying?  Did it feel "spammy" and suspect?  Even if you saw that posted by a trusted friend, you might feel betrayed because this person was taking advantage of your relationship to sell you something... even if they weren't selling anything.  That is because this is an old tactic used in marketing.  Sure it gets your attention, but for all the wrong reasons.  Here is a short list of things not to do when promoting a product or event on social media;

1.  ALL CAPS, MULTIPLE COLORS, AND HUGE FONTS
 "****WANT TO REDUCE YOUR MORTGAGE WITH NO CREDIT CHECK WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY LOSING 50 LBS AND TRANSFERRING A LARGE INHERITANCE FROM AN UNCLE YOU NEVER KNEW IN NIGERIA ????  CALL US TODAY!!!"

2.  Rude, judgmental public posts (keep your disagreements offline.)
Joe Blow:  Man, I can't believe what (insert name here) did yesterday.  What a typical (political affiliation here.)

3.  Over-Posting;  If you are promoting an event or product, space out your posts so that people don't hide, unfriend, or unlike you.
 Joe Blow:  Don't forget our GIANT SALE TODAY!!!
 Joe Blow:  Don't forget our GIANT SALE TODAY!!!
 Joe Blow:  Don't forget our GIANT SALE TODAY!!!
 Joe Blow:  Don't forget our GIANT SALE TODAY!!!

... We only wish we could forget ...

4.  Inappropriate tagging in posts or photos;  Be conservative when deciding whether or not to tag someone.  If a photo or post could come off negative in any way, don't post/tag it.
Before you post anything with yourself (pictures, articles, etc) in it, you make sure it is flattering.  As a good business practice, extend the same courtesy to your friends and clients.  If a picture is taken from a bad angle, or an article contains a quote that was not well thought out, it is best to leave it out of your online campaign.  When you make others look good, they will return the favor. 

It's hard sometimes to tell the difference between getting attention and being effective.  The old adage "Any publicity is good publicity" does not apply to social media.  Negative publicity can quickly kill a company or relationship.

... and NOW THAT YOU HAVE FINISHED READING THIS POST, GRAB THAT FREE GLASS OF WATER WE PROMISED YOU!

CHEERS!