Combining SEO with social media marketing for your ecommerce business must be done correctly in order to be effective.

There are social media “purists” who are incensed to see it used for marketing purposes at all, much less leveraged with SEO! 

However, it is being done, and done successfully, by canny ecommerce entrepreneurs who understand what a powerful marketing tool social media can be, especially when the power of SEO is incorporated into the strategy.

But you do have to watch your step!

Bear in mind that a lot of the social media site founders didn’t have marketing use in mind when they developed their community. Ditto for many of the users or members.

So, here are some things you should NOT do when using SEO with social media marketing:

DON’T: Jump right in and start trying to run the show! Instead, gradually build your place in the community of users. Then you can start working on SEO along with social media optimization.

DON’T: Be a know-it-all or a blow hard! It’s fine to have an opinion or to offer well informed comments, but don’t be obnoxious or pushy. If you get a chance to incorporate some of your keywords into conversations, do it naturally and above all--nicely. 

DON’T: Spam. Never, ever. 

DON’T: Make nonsense comments just to use your keywords.

DON’T: Be stand-offish. You should never, for example, create a Facebook page and then fail to engage with your fans and/or friends. Ditto for Twitter and followers! Don't just slap up a bunch of SEO content and then sit back and lapse into silence. 

DON’T: Take and not give back in return. Share something of value, and do this often! It doesn't have to all be about SEO and marketing, and in fact, it shouldn't be. To approach it in such a fashion would be the Kiss of Death to your social media marketing aspirations.

DON’T: Be too sales-y. This is a gigantic turn-off to others! It's great to use SEO with SMO, or Social Media Optimization, but don't over-do the hype with keywords. 

 

DON’T: Ignore what others are saying In other words, don’t just talk so that you can use your keywords often, but listen to others, as well!

DON’T: Be a phony. No matter how good you think you might be at pulling the wool over the yes of the public, the community will pick up on phonies---count on it. Walmart tried that with its “Walmarting Across America” blog, when it tried to fool people into thinking that the blog entries were originating from everyday consumers who love Wally World. They were exposed, and you will be, too, if you pretend to be something you aren’t. So, don't try to throw out a bunch of made-up baloney so that you can load up on your keywords. 

Using SEO and social media marketing together successfully is a savvy move to make if you want to grow your online business, but make sure you do it right or your efforts will be counterproductive.

 

The above rules apply to any form of social media marketing!