Gone are the days when marketing professionals question the value of their company having a presence on social networks. Regardless of if the company is B2B, B2C, or any combination of the two – their customers are on social because EVERYONE is on social.

You would think, however, that at this point we have a better understanding of what makes a successful brand social strategy. Unfortunately, companies are still getting social media marketing wrong. Very wrong. Here’s what I have witnessed, and how you can turn it around:

1. Retention > Acquisition
2. Don’t try to be everywhere
3. Step away from the spray & pray mentality
4. Don’t treat social as the Frankenstein of your brand
5. Social is not television
6. Think like a customer
7. Buying fans is not cool.
8. Not all fans are created equal.

Read more: 7 mistakes companies are making on social media right now