110. The Most Common Social Media Mistakes by Companies (And What to Do Instead)
- 26 minutes ago
- 6 min read
I’ve run a lot of social accounts for small businesses and I host the Go Get Great podcast, so I see trends — the good, the messy, and the painfully avoidable. If there’s one thing I never want to see on social media again, it’s the generic Canva holiday post. That simple graphic feels harmless, but it’s one of the common social media marketing mistakes I keep fixing for clients. In this post I’ll explain why this happens, how it damages your reach, and what to do instead so your content actually works for your business.
Before we dive in, let me introduce myself. I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
What I mean by “holiday messages” and why they’re a problem
By holiday messages I mean those templated images that say “Happy Holidays,” “Merry Christmas,” or “Happy Thanksgiving” with no personal context. They’re easy to make, so everyone posts them. The problem is they’re also easy to ignore.
This is exactly the kind of content that leads to mistakes in social media marketing. When your followers consistently scroll past posts, platforms start to deprioritize your content and stops showing it to your followers. Instagram, for example, focuses on the most engaged and will limit visibility if engagement drops. That means fewer people see your content, fewer people move from follower to email subscriber, and fewer people become customers.
So yes, this is a big problem! I explain this in more detail in the full episode of the Go Get Great podcast which you can listen to here:
The algorithm, engagement, and the real cost
When it comes to social media, every platforms goal is to keep you watching content as long as possible. They do that be filling your feed with the content you want to see, meaning:
Engagement equals distribution: Every like, comment, and share signals to the algorithm that a post matters. Generic holiday graphics rarely earn those signals.
Feeds get crowded: Holidays bring a flood of identical messages plus increased advertising, so your templated post gets lost.
Long-term impact: A few low-performing posts can push your profile out of the top visibility group, meaning future posts reach fewer people.
You work hard to create content, so always focus on quality posts and know that it's okay to skip your holiday message.
What to do instead — practical swaps that actually work
My expert advice: stop posting bland holiday graphics in your feed. If you really feel compelled to share a holiday message, swap them for one of these higher-impact options that avoid common social media mistakes by companies and keep your presence (and engagement) strong.
1. Use Stories for temporary updates
Stories disappear after 24 hours, so they’re perfect for short-lived messages like holiday wishes or hours. They don’t hurt your feed engagement and people are more likely to view Stories to see what you’re up to behind the scenes.
2. Make it personal
If you want a post on the feed, make it personal: a photo of you, your family, or your team, or a short video. Seeing a real face or hearing a real voice is the difference between a scroll and an interaction. Your audience follows you because of the human behind the business — lean into that.
3. Share important details the right way
If you need to share holiday hours, update your Google Business Profile first. As I mentioned before, you can also post hours in Stories rather than clogging your feed if you think your audience checks social media for your hours. Also note that captions are flexible— you can mention hours there if you post a personal image for the holidays and it will still likely get seen.
4. Use short video or Reels
Video content gets far more attention right now. A 5–10 second reel of you wishing people well or sharing a brief holiday note performs better than any templated graphic every time.
5. Plan and schedule strategically
Schedule story content for multi-day closures, and plan feed content that supports business goals (lead capture, conversions, value). Always prioritize quality over quantity so your followers stay engaged and continue to see your content.
Future trends of social media you need to plan for
The future trends of social media are pointing toward more personal, authentic content and less tolerance for filler posts. Stories and short-form video will continue to outpace static posts for reach. Brands that stop repeating the same holiday templates and start delivering human, useful content will have a clear advantage. If you want to stay relevant, move away from those common social media marketing mistakes and invest in formats people actually engage with.
Quick checklist: holiday posts that won’t hurt your account
Prefer Stories for temporary messages and hours.
If you post to feed, include your face, voice, or team photo.
Use short video or reels instead of static graphics.
Update Google Business Profile for accurate hours.
Schedule multi-day stories rather than repeating feed posts.
FAQs About Holiday Messages & Social Media Mistakes by Companies
Are holiday posts always bad for business profiles?
No — the problem isn’t the sentiment, it’s the execution. A personal, real post or a short video can be meaningful and perform well. What I’m advising against are generic, templated feed graphics that don’t invite engagement.
How can I share holiday hours without hurting engagement?
Update your Google Business Profile and post hours in Stories (schedule them if needed). If you must put them in a feed post, pair them with a personal image and a helpful caption.
Will switching to Stories reduce my reach?
Mostly no. Stories are prioritized differently and are less likely to harm your algorithmic standing. Many people check Stories specifically to see behind-the-scenes updates, so you may actually get better visibility.
What are the biggest social media mistakes by companies during holidays?
Posting generic Canva graphics to the feed, failing to update business hours on Google, and prioritizing quantity over meaningful content are the top missteps. These mistakes in social media marketing lower engagement and harm long-term visibility.
Final thoughts — small changes, big impact
As a busy entrepreneur and mom, I get the appeal of quick templates. But if you want your social media to work for your business, you’ve got to be intentional. Stop leaving your holiday messages to a generic graphic. Use Stories, be personal, and focus on formats that build real engagement. Avoiding this one common misstep among social media mistakes by companies is a fast, practical way to keep your content visible and your marketing effective.
Want more tips?
If you’re ready to stop making mistakes in social media marketing and start planning content that converts, follow the Go Get Great podcast and learn more about my digital marketing coaching and done for you services.
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Hit follow and please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! The kids and I might even bust out a happy dance! 💗 - Brittany
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
0:00 Intro
0:42 Episode start
1:20 What are holiday messages
2:10 Use holiday messages = mistakes in social media marketing
3:20 Future trends of social media: what to do instead
9:00 Wrap up
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