Navigating the Social Media Landscape in the Philippines: 7 Pitfalls to Dodge

Whether you’re steering a small local shop or overseeing a business with multiple branches in the Philippines, social media is a game-changer for your marketing playbook. But, let’s face it, many small business leaders in the Philippines find themselves grappling with the ever-changing and more time-consuming nature of social media. Social media in the Philippines can be your best ally or a tricky adversary. However, with a solid social media strategy (and by steering clear of common mistakes), you can save time, money, and supercharge brand awareness, guiding potential customers in the Philippines toward a confident buying decision. Here are seven social media marketing  pitfalls specific to the Philippines that you’ll want to steer clear of: 1. Embarking Without a Strategy & Research It’s tempting to dive into posting on social media without a plan, especially when the excitement of building a following kicks in. However, this approach often leads to wasted time, money, and minimal engagement. Instead, start by honing in on a specific group of people in the Philippines who are most likely to do business with you – your target audience or “best” customers. Research their demographics, psychographics, location, communication preferences, social media usage, and content preferences. Once armed with this information, craft a social media marketing strategy tailored to share engaging content and connect with your best customers in the Philippines. 2. Choosing the Wrong Platform in the Philippines After defining your strategy and target audience, use that knowledge to identify the right social media platforms for your business in the Philippines. While the plethora of options might be overwhelming, focus on engaging your best customers on the platforms they frequent the most. Facebook is an excellent starting point, being the Philippines’ most popular social media platform with 2.5 billion active monthly users. Remember, success in social media marketing isn’t about being everywhere; it’s about meeting your best customers where they are. 3. Ignoring Social Media Advertising in the Philippines With Facebook’s News Feed prioritizing content relevancy, only a small fraction of your page followers will see your posts organically. To reach potential customers in the Philippines effectively, embrace social media advertising. Facebook offers various advertising options with a solid return on investment. Leverage the platform’s audience targeting based on users’ provided information and engagement patterns to strategically tailor your ads to your target market in the Philippines. 4. Sharing Irrelevant Content in the Philippines If your social media content revolves solely around praising your company or product, it won’t convince Filipino followers to buy from you. People in the Philippines use social media for education, problem-solving, or entertainment. Adhere to the 5-3-2 rule when crafting posts: 5 content pieces from relevant sources, 3 valuable pieces of content you create, and 2 personal or fun pieces to humanize your brand. Every post or ad should have a purpose, focusing on consistent and engaging content that resonates with your target audience in the Philippines. 5. Neglecting Post & Ad Performance Analysis in the Philippines Without proper analytics, evaluating the effectiveness of your social media efforts becomes a guessing game. Regularly study metrics from post and ad performance to understand what content resonated the most with your best customers in the Philippines. Facebook Insights offers insights into reaching your target audience, posting consistency, engagement times, content preferences, click-through rates, and popular content types. Use this data to refine your social media marketing in the Philippines and better engage your target audience. 6. Treating Social Media as a Standalone Tool in the Philippines Some business leaders mistakenly believe that relying solely on social media is sufficient to attract new customers or boost brand awareness. While social interaction contributes to higher search engine rankings, it’s not a standalone solution for business growth in the Philippines. Integrate social media into your overall marketing strategy, aligning posts and ads with your website, blogs, and other marketing efforts. Direct Filipino prospects from your social media platforms to strategic locations on your website, facilitating their buying decisions. 7. Entrusting Social Media to Inexperienced Hands in the Philippines Managing social media isn’t a task suited for interns or busy employees. The writing, scheduling, and analyzing of ads and posts require a dedicated professional with time and experience. Responding to comments and reviews is crucial for maintaining good customer relations, as 90% of customers in the Philippines engage with businesses on social media. With 63% expecting companies to provide customer service via social, having a seasoned professional managing your social media ensures effective execution and engagement. Final PopStar Tip In the hustle of researching, creating, and implementing a social media marketing strategy in the Philippines, especially without a dedicated team, it might seem overwhelming. However, partnering with a marketing agency can lift this burden, promoting your business on social media while you focus on business growth. With a strategic plan and agency support, you can build brand awareness, sidestep social media pitfalls, guide prospects to a buying decision, and reach more people with a budget-friendly approach. Send us a message or contact our Team at contact@pop-star.me for more information on how PopStar can help your social media marketing here in the Philippines.