Most service based company owners are starting to leverage the power of social media in their promotional and marketing of their Brands. Regrettably though, there are some immoral (if not ‘uneducated’) users, who do not follow social media ‘etiquette ‘correctly. As a result they are ruining their reputation and any chance of building any solid interactions with their network. So when it comes down to social media, whether you are a beginner or an expert, here are 10 DO’s and DO NOT’s that you should try to adopt to ensure you build lasting online interactions.
When using Social Media to connect with people – DON’T:
#1. Don’t be inappropriate.
Never post unsuitable photos or comments on other peoples Facebook walls or Twitter feeds or blatantly promote your products and services on their walls.
#2. Don’t try to sell straight away.
Do not send an email about your upcoming sales/event after having only just connected with strangers. You both haven’t had the break to get to know one another yet.
#3. Don’t promote yourself.
Try not to post or write information purely about YOU and YOUR products and services, just because you happened to connect with someone, it doesn’t mean that you have an open invitation to broadcast your products.
#4. Use me.
Never tag any one in one of your videos/photographs/or other posts that has any relevance to that person because you are only trying to get their attention. Guess what? You just did, but for the wrong reason. You will have probably been unfriended or blocked. That will also include using any Twitter handle in a post to get their attention about your product or affiliate link. Believe me, they won’t be following you OR clicking through to your link. And never TYPE YOUR MESSAGES USING ONLY CAPITALS, otherwise people will think that you’re SCREAMING AT THEM.
#5. Try not to be impersonal or rude.
Do not just send an invite to connect using the standard request provided by the platform. They won’t accept them. This only indicates that you have not taken the time to read their profile or to try and make a personal connection. And absolutely never use discourteous language; bullying tactics; or name calling when commenting on their walls. If you happen to disagree with something that either I or one of their followers has said, that’s fine – They will respect your opinion. But you must respect the opinions of others and their followers.
When using Social Media to connect with people – DO:
#1. Always be an association builder and show people that you care.
Make sure you show a sincere interest in what people do and say and take the time to build up relationships just as you would with any of your face-to-face interactions. People will be more likely to applaud you and share your information with their network of followers. They even could do business with you when they know, like and trust you.
#2. Be respectful of other people’s opinions even if you do not agree with them entirely.
Social media will allow you to connect with hundreds of thousands of people you would ordinarily never have the opportunity to meet if you were just relying on a face-to-face relationship. Many of these individuals will naturally have different values and opinions than you. So don’t force your thoughts or beliefs onto these people in an impolite manner – after all, your opinion is just that – yours. So instead, be willing to respect them despite your differences.
#3. Be always aware of the online footprint you’re creating.
Everything that you do and say will reflect on to you and on to your brand. Be absolutely sure that your posts, comments and interactions are always of a professional manner and that you are not creating dirt that could cause a prospect to turn against you. If you think something could be misinterpreted or if you wouldn’t want a potential client to read it – then do not post it! They could find it and that will be the reason they go ahead and hire one of your competitors instead.
#4. Give and not only a Take!
Social networking is not just about taking and receiving but it is rather more about sharing resources and passing information on, that would be of interest to people. The more that you are helpful and supportive in your interactions the more the chance other people will be willing to extend the hand of friendship and support when you need it.
#5. Be honest with all of your business dealings.
Social Networking allows us to do business with people on the other side of the world without even ever having to meet them. So unfortunately, there are some people that misuse these technologies by misrepresenting themselves and misleading people into parting with their hard-earned dollars. Always make sure that you manage all your business dealings to the highest of integrity, service and honor so that your customers are happy to recommend you to their friends too.
