Top 5 Mistakes Small Businesses Make on Social Media (and How to Fix Them)

Ever feel like you’re putting in the effort on social media but not seeing results? Many small businesses in Red Deer and Central Alberta struggle to make social media work for them. The truth is, it’s not about posting more, it’s about posting smart, or just being fun. The most common pitfalls can be summed up as the top mistakes businesses make on social media: relying too heavily on AI content, inconsistent posting, not defining your target audience, posting only promotional content, and failing to engage with your audience.

Fixing these mistakes doesn’t have to be complicated. By stepping up as the face of your business, posting consistently, targeting the right people in your captions, providing valuable content, and actively engaging, you’ll start seeing social media actually work for you. For instance, giving AI-generated content a human spin can increase engagement, posting regularly proves credibility, and responding to comments and DMs signals both authenticity and activity to social platforms.

Below, we’ll break down each mistake in detail and show you actionable ways to fix them.

Common Mistakes Businesses Make on Social Media:

AI Content Overload

Why it’s a mistake:

AI is incredible for generating ideas, but when businesses rely on it too heavily, people notice. And this is coming from ChatGPTs close personal friend!

Too many emojis, em-dashes, or generic sales-y language can make your content feel robotic and disconnected. While AI can assist in content creation, it's essential to add a human touch. As Sprout Social suggests, 'Social media marketing can help you generate leads, boost conversions, and increase brand awareness.

How to fix it:

• Use AI as a starting point, but always rewrite in your own voice.

• Showcase personality, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments.

Example:

Using AI alone for a photographer’s content didn’t resonate, the photos were beautiful, but engagement was low. Once we gave the AI captions a human tone and personality, engagement increased by 15%. Working with AI instead of relying solely on it makes a huge difference.

Inconsistent Posting

Why it’s a mistake:

Irregular posting makes your business forgettable. People want to see you consistently and it also signals to social media algorithms that your page isn’t active.

How to fix it:

• Commit to a posting schedule you can maintain, whether it’s 2–4 times a week on Facebook and Instagram.

• Use batching tools to create posts ahead of time.

Example:

For me, posting online as a marketer is crucial—it’s even attracted people to reach out. No one wants a social media marketer who can’t prove themselves online. Consistency builds trust, credibility, and engagement.

Not Defining Your Target Audience

Why it’s a mistake:

Posting without knowing who you’re speaking to leads to low engagement and wasted effort. Generic content often appeals to no one.

How to fix it:

• Clearly define your ideal customer: age, location, interests, and pain points.

• Tailor posts and campaigns to speak directly to them.

Example:

A Red Deer insurance company realized their posts were too generic. After defining their target audience, local families seeking peace of mind, we created specific content, and engagement rose significantly.

Posting Only Promotional Content

Why it’s a mistake:

Content that’s purely promotional is boring, and boring content won’t get seen. If no one stops to read or view your posts, algorithms won’t push them out further.

How to fix it:

• Follow an 80/20 rule: 80% value or engagement content, 20% promotional.

• Share tips, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories alongside service highlights.

Example:

I see it all the time, companies rotating through their services on social media, getting only a few dozen views despite having hundreds of followers. Value-driven content stops people, engages them, and gets engagement or shares!

Not Engaging With Your Audience

Why it’s a mistake:

Social media is a conversation, not a billboard. Ignoring comments, DMs, and story reactions kills engagement and trust.

How to fix it:

• Respond to comments, DMs, and story interactions promptly.

• Ask questions, run polls, and encourage user-generated content.

Example:

Responding to your audience is free and effective. Social algorithms notice, engagement grows, and your next posts perform even better. I’ve seen it happen repeatedly, the simplest interactions often have the biggest impact.

Fix These Mistakes and Grow Your Social Media

Social media can be a powerful tool for small businesses in Red Deer and Central Alberta, if you avoid the top mistakes businesses make on social media. Step up as the face of your business, post consistently, target the right audience, provide value, and engage authentically. For more in-depth strategies on content planning, check out our blog post on creating a month's worth of social media content.

Want to see where your social media gaps are? Contact Rogue Marketing for a free marketing analysis and get a strategic plan that actually connects with your audience and drives results.