If you want to be more popular on social media, say goodbye to these 7 behaviors

Let’s be honest, navigating the world of social media is like trying to understand the rules of a game that are constantly changing. You’ve probably poured your heart into your posts, tried to engage with your followers, and maybe even dabbled in a viral trend or two.

Yet, you’re still not seeing the results you want and it’s frustrating. Really frustrating.

It’s not always about the perfect caption or the trendiest hashtags. Sometimes, it’s about those subtle behaviors that you might not even realize are holding you back.

You might be wondering what you’re doing wrong or why your follower count isn’t skyrocketing despite all your efforts.

This is why I’ve pulled together a list of seven behaviors that could be sabotaging your social media popularity. It might sting a little when you realize what they are, but trust me, saying goodbye to these habits will be worth it in the end.

Because who doesn’t want to be more popular on social media, right?

1) Overusing hashtags

You’ve heard it before, hashtags are the lifeblood of social media. They allow your posts to be discovered by those who aren’t your followers yet.

But here’s the thing, there’s a fine line between using hashtags effectively and overdoing it.

Imagine walking into a party and meeting someone who talks non-stop, trying to cover every conceivable topic at once. It’s overwhelming and off-putting, right? That’s how it feels when your posts are crammed with too many hashtags.

Each platform has its own acceptable number of hashtags. On Instagram, it’s about 9 to 11. Twitter prefers 1 or 2. Facebook? It’s better to keep them to a minimum or avoid them altogether.

If you’re throwing in a dozen or more hashtags in every post, it might be time to rethink your strategy. It’s not about the quantity, but the quality and relevance of your hashtags that really matters.

Remember, social media is not just about getting discovered, but also about creating meaningful conversations and connections.

2) Neglecting engagement

I’ll be honest, there was a time when I would post content and just leave it there, hoping it would magically attract likes and comments. I was so focused on creating content that I totally overlooked the importance of engagement.

Social media platforms are all about interaction, but I was treating it like a one-way street. I’d post my photos, write my captions and then move on to the next thing. It wasn’t until I realized that my follower count wasn’t budging that I decided to change my approach.

Instead of just posting and forgetting, I started to spend time each day engaging with my audience. I responded to comments, liked posts from those who had interacted with me, and even went out of my way to comment on posts from other users in my niche.

And guess what? The results were astonishing! Not only did my follower count start to rise, but the quality of interaction on my posts improved significantly too.

If you’re not actively engaging with your audience, you’re missing out on a crucial aspect of social media. It’s not simply a broadcast platform; it’s a space for conversation and connection.

3) Constant self-promotion

Famous author Dale Carnegie once said, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you.”

This quote hit me hard when I realized that I was constantly using my social media platforms to promote myself. I was all about “me,” “my work,” “my life,” and less about the people who were actually following me.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad to share your achievements or promote your work, but when that’s all you do, it can come off as self-centered and one-dimensional.

I made the shift from constant self-promotion to showing genuine interest in my followers. I started sharing content that would benefit them, asking them questions, and acknowledging their contributions to my posts.

The change was palpable. My engagement increased and my followers felt more connected because they were not just spectators of my life but active participants.

4) Ignoring video content

Did you know that by 2022, online videos will make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic? That’s 15 times higher than it was in 2017, according to Cisco.

This shift towards video content is something every social media user needs to take into account. No matter what platform you’re on – Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter – videos are gaining popularity and they’re here to stay.

I used to shy away from creating video content. Honestly, it seemed too time-consuming and daunting. But when I saw the stats and noticed how videos were performing on my feed, I knew I had to adapt.

I started with short clips, then moved onto longer videos and even tried my hand at live sessions. The increase in engagement was immediate and encouraging.

Videos allowed me to connect with my followers on a deeper level, showing them a more authentic side of me that static images just couldn’t capture.

You don’t have to create a cinematic masterpiece; just start small and authentic. Trust me, your followers will appreciate it.

5) Posting inconsistently

Now, this was a big one for me. I used to post whenever inspiration struck, which led to irregular posting patterns. Some days I’d post twice and then disappear for a week.

I realized that this inconsistency was doing more harm than good. It wasn’t just about the algorithm (which does favor regular posting), but also about my followers’ expectations.

Think of it like your favorite television show: You know exactly when a new episode will air, and you look forward to it. Now imagine if the show started airing episodes randomly. It would be pretty frustrating, right?

That’s how your followers feel when you post inconsistently. They follow you because they enjoy your content and want to see more of it. When your posts become sporadic, you risk losing their interest.

Once I started posting consistently—aiming for a similar time each day—I noticed a significant improvement in my engagement rates.

If you’re guilty of erratic posting habits, it might be time to create a content calendar. Plan your posts ahead of time and stick to a schedule that works for you and your audience. Consistency is key in building and maintaining your social media popularity.

6) Ignoring the value of aesthetics

But let’s be real, social media – especially platforms like Instagram – are very much about visuals. A cohesive, visually appealing feed can attract more followers and keep them engaged.

It doesn’t mean every post has to be a work of art or you need to be a professional photographer. But a little thought into the color scheme, the quality of your photos, or even the layout of your feed can go a long way.

When I started paying attention to the aesthetics of my feed, not only did it look more professional and pleasing, but it also started attracting more followers. It showed that I cared about the content I was putting out there, which in turn made others more interested in what I had to say.

So, if you’ve been ignoring the visual aspect of your social media presence, it might be time to give it some attention. Trust me, your followers will notice and appreciate the effort.

7) Not being yourself

This is perhaps the most important point of all. With all the strategies and tactics out there, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are in the quest for social media popularity.

I’ve seen many people, including myself at one point, trying to imitate successful influencers or bloggers, thinking that this would automatically attract followers. It didn’t. In fact, it felt fake and hollow, and followers could sense that.

Your followers are not just numbers. They’re real people who have chosen to follow you because they find something in you that resonates with them. Trying to be someone else not only disrespects them but also undermines your own unique qualities.

When I decided to just be myself – quirky, imperfect but authentic – I found my true audience. These were the people who appreciated me for who I was, not someone I was pretending to be.

So, if you’re trying to fit into someone else’s mold, stop. Just be yourself. Authenticity shines on social media and people appreciate it more than any filter or hashtag. Don’t lose your true self in the pursuit of popularity.

Your authenticity is your biggest asset.

Wrapping it up

Social media popularity isn’t about how many followers you have, but the quality of the connections you make. If you’ve recognized any of these behaviors in your social media use, don’t be hard on yourself. It’s never too late to change.

Start by being more mindful of your actions. Notice when you’re overusing hashtags, ignoring engagement or being impersonal. These small shifts in awareness can lead to significant changes in your social media presence.

And most importantly, remember to be yourself. As Dr. Seuss famously said, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

Your unique perspective is what sets you apart from others on social media. Embrace it and let it shine through in your posts.

So give these behaviors a goodbye and embrace a more authentic approach to social media. Your followers – both current and future – will thank you for it.

Cheers to a more authentic and popular social media presence!