Things to avoid on Social Media.

It may be very important to know the kind of things you should be doing on social media to give you the best returns on your effort, but knowing what not to do will also stand you in good stead as sometimes, social media can be very unforgiving.

Social media is very much a part of life for many of us and the way we use it is being adapted to how we currently live our own lives, it is being designed to fit in with our everyday agendas. What we must remember though that unlike us being down the local bar and gossip taking place that remains within the four walls,what happens on social media doesn’t stay on social media unlike in the popular city of Las Vegas. Thinking on the business side of things, the right message can travel far and wide and increase brand awareness, but so can the wrong message and with it can come not only negative comments and a drop in following, but it can devalue your brand and even land you in legal issues.

So, what type of things should we look to steer clear of when using social media to make sure that we stay on the positive and safe road of social media. * I would add, that there are those of us that are very clever and work on the basis of using negative PR to gain the necessary brand awareness, but for the rest of us:

  • Confrontational Topics. The usual suspects of religion, politics and football should be topics you may need to think through thoroughly before either starting or getting involved with on social media. Though each of the topics are freedom of speech, they usually can become heated and rarely conclude as people always have different opinions and like to express their thoughts. Nothing wrong with any of the topics above and with a thought through approach, you can make new connections and new friends, but be warned that even if you have the most sincere of opinions, it is still likely to offend someone, somewhere.
  • Copyright content. With more and more people using social media, the search for unique content increases as does the temptation to use content already out there done by someone else. Make sure that when you do use the likes of images, videos or blog content, that you have either permission from the original creator or that the content is listed as free to use (you can search Google for content that has given you permission to share and for commercial re-use).
  • Private conversations. Make sure that you keep personal and private conversations away from social media or at least, use direct messages instead. It may be obvious, but avoid firing people, stating people’s salaries or when they are on holiday, direct complaints or feedback to person and using bad or hard language. Remember, that what you place on social media not only can be seen by your followers, but has the potential to be seen by the followers of your followers, ie it can go viral.
  • Spamming. We should all know by now that spamming in any form is not a clever way of doing marketing and should be left to the SEO companies based in India. Though many of us reject spammers, lot’s still use social media in a similar way without realising they are doing so. Avoid direct messages which as merely urging people to click links or take up offers, do not simply post updates which as sales only and try not to tempt people in to clicking on a URL with a catchy update only to direct people to a sales orientated page. Think 80/20 rule when promoting your products and services, 20% is considered a recommended amount of your overall updates to be sales focused.

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

London gardens can add more than £205,000 in value

Ahead of this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, research by Enness Global has revealed that a garden can add more than £205,000 to the value of a London home, whilst Chelsea fittingly boasts the highest degree of garden availability for high-net-worth homebuyers in the current market. Enness Global has also revealed the top five trends currently…
Read More
Breaking News

RRA raises the cost of getting property management wrong

The latest insight from property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, suggests that the relatively modest cost of professional property management could help landlords avoid thousands of pounds in potential penalties and compliance failures as the rental sector becomes increasingly regulated under the Renters’ Rights Act.   Rushbrook & Rathbone analysed the average cost of a…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

The Future of Urban Real Estate: Trends and Predictions for 2026

Affordability pressures, hybrid work arrangements, and steep borrowing costs are heavy influences on urban real estate for 2026. We’re seeing an increase in mixed-use development and a renewed focus from investors on markets with a steady demand. Markets that can balance housing access, transportation, lifestyle amenities, and flexible workplaces will come out on top. Major…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

London’s prime residential market isn’t falling — it’s repricing

By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners London’s prime residential market has looked subdued by global standards, but framing current conditions as a decline overlooks the more important underlying dynamic. The market is undergoing structural repricing driven by higher interest rates, shifting tax policy and a more volatile geopolitical environment. This is not…
Read More
Breaking News

Foxtons Lettings Market Index – April 2026

Market activity strengthens with applicant demand recovering and supply remaining ahead of last year   After the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, April provides the final snapshot of market conditions ahead of implementation, offering a clear benchmark for how the sector is positioned entering this new regulatory environment. The lettings market strengthened through the…
Read More
Breaking News

Five hidden costs catching home buyers out

FIVE hidden costs that’re catching home buyers out, AFTER they put their offer in, says expert • Buyers often focus on deposits and mortgages, but overlook thousands in extra costs • Delays, surveys and legal fees can quickly inflate budgets • Unexpected gaps in funding are becoming increasingly common A lot of home buyers think…
Read More