It’s 9 p.m. You’re sitting in your hostel room, scrolling Instagram. One brand’s reel makes you laugh out loud. You immediately share it with your group. Two swipes later, another brand tries too hard – it looks cringy, you scroll past without a second thought.
That, my friend, is the difference between good and bad social media marketing.
For digital marketing students and young professionals, understanding what to do – and what to avoid – can save you from looking like that desperate brand screaming for attention. So, let’s break it down in a way that’s practical, simple, and maybe a little fun.
Why Social Media Marketing Matters
Let’s be real. Today, if your brand is not on social media, it’s like being absent from college on the day of group projects – nobody notices you, nobody cares.
Over 4.9 billion people use social media worldwide.
Average user spends 2.5+ hours daily on platforms.
Brands with active social presence build trust, engagement, and sales.
But to succeed, you must know the golden do’s and don’ts.
The Do’s of Social Media Marketing
These are the things that make your brand look like the cool, confident student everyone wants to hang out with.
1. Do Know Your Audience
Before posting, ask: “Who am I talking to?”
Students? → Memes, reels, campus life content.
Professionals? → Insights, LinkedIn posts.
Parents? → Facebook groups, simple info posts.
Right message + Right audience = Magic.
2. Do Be Consistent
Posting once and disappearing for a month is like attending only one lecture all semester and expecting an A grade. Doesn’t work.
Use a content calendar. Post regularly (even 3 times a week is fine).
3. Do Use Storytelling
Don’t just sell. Tell stories.
Example: Instead of “Our gym has modern equipment,” say,
“Riya, a college student, lost 12 kg in 4 months while still enjoying mom’s parathas.”
Stories make people feel connected.
4. Do Engage with Followers
Reply to comments, answer DMs, run polls. Social media is a conversation, not a monologue.
Formula: Engagement = Loyalty.
5. Do Track and Measure
Use analytics to see what’s working. If memes are getting 5x more reach than serious posts, learn from that.
Tools: Instagram Insights, LinkedIn Analytics, Facebook Business Manager.
6. Do Experiment with Content Formats
Instagram: Reels, carousels, stories.
LinkedIn: Articles, infographics, updates.
Facebook: Groups, events, live sessions.
Experiment, measure, repeat.
7. Do Stay Updated with Trends
Trends change faster than hostel Wi-Fi passwords. If a sound, meme, or challenge is trending—adapt it creatively.
Trend + Originality = Shareability.
The Don’ts of Social Media Marketing
1. Don’t Be Inconsistent
Posting 10 times in one day and then disappearing for weeks? Big mistake. Audiences forget fast.
Consistency > Random bursts.
2. Don’t Copy Blindly
Copy-paste trends without adding creativity and you’ll look like the class photocopy machine—useful, but forgettable.
Be inspired, but add your own flavor.
3. Don’t Over-Promote
If every post screams “Buy Now!”, people will mute you faster than they mute class WhatsApp groups.
Follow the 80-20 Rule: 80% value/entertainment, 20% promotion.
4. Don’t Ignore Negative Comments
Deleting or ignoring criticism makes you look guilty. Instead, handle it with calmness and professionalism.
Negative feedback = free improvement tips.
5. Don’t Spam with Hashtags
Using #love #happy #fun #instagood #random on every post? Cringe alert. Use only relevant hashtags.
5–10 targeted hashtags > 30 random ones.
6. Don’t Post Without Proofreading
A spelling mistake in your post = instant loss of credibility. Imagine writing “We offer best pubic relations services” instead of “public.” Oops.
Always proofread before posting.
7. Don’t Try to Be Everywhere
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest—posting on all at once without focus = burnout.
Start with 1–2 platforms where your audience lives.
Quick Cheat Sheet: Do’s vs Don’ts
| ✅ Do’s | ❌ Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Know your audience | Post for “everyone” |
| Be consistent | Be irregular |
| Tell stories | Sell directly |
| Engage with followers | Ignore comments |
| Track performance | Post blindly |
| Experiment formats | Stick to one boring style |
| Stay updated | Follow outdated trends |
Real-Life Mini Case Study
The Good Example: A small café in Delhi started posting reels with trending audio showing behind-the-scenes chai-making. Within 3 months, they doubled footfall. Why? They were consistent, creative, and engaging.
The Bad Example: Another café just kept posting menu screenshots with captions like “Come and try our food.” Zero engagement, zero growth. Why? Over-promotion and boring content.
Lesson? Customers follow personalities, not plain products.
An Effective Action Plan
If you’re a student learning digital marketing:
Start small. Pick one platform (Instagram or LinkedIn).
Post consistently. Even 2–3 quality posts per week.
Experiment. Try memes, reels, carousels, polls.
Learn analytics. Track what works.
Engage. Reply to comments, DMs, and tags.
Within 3–6 months, you’ll know what clicks and what flops.
Final Thoughts
Social media marketing is like college life. Do the right things – attend lectures (consistency), make friends (engagement), participate in fests (trends) – and you’ll shine. Do the wrong things – – bunk too much, copy blindly, ignore people – and you’ll struggle.
The good news? You can always improve. Social media provides you with daily opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow.
So, remember: It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being human, creative, and consistent.
And the next time you scroll at night, instead of just liking other people’s content, maybe create your own. Who knows – it might be the post everyone shares tomorrow.
Pro Tip from experience: Social media success doesn’t come from doing everything. It comes from doing the right things consistently.
