1. Learn the Culture
You will find that each community or Social Media Site has it’s own culture and way of operating. Make an effort to learn this culture and what is and is not acceptable socially within that site, you’ll want to fit in.
2. Manners – Be Socially Acceptable
If you’ve ever heard me speak on the topic you know that I equate Social Media Sites to that of being at a party or a networking event. The bottom line is act accordingly, you wouldn’t come up to me at a party and instantly hard sell me with what you do and what the great sale you have going on this week is.
3. Contribute
If you want your message to be heard and to be appreciated then contribute. You want to create a following and in a sense be popular at this social gathering right? Well if you contribute, as opposed to simply trying to gain something from the site, you will be better received. The more value you provide, the more you will get back from the site, it’s a natural progression.
4. Overkill vs. Too Little
Too many people seem to fall within one end of the extreme or the other. Social Media should be natural, if you don’t do it enough you won’t be visible or a valuable part of the community, and if you do it too much you will over saturate yourself and possibly become a nuisance. Try and maintain a medium level of participation. Back to my party analogy, do you want to be the shy person in the corner, the obnoxious jerk yelling across the room, or the fun average person who just simply fits in and gets along with everyone else.
5. Participate
It’s not just about you. Participate in other conversations and posts. Vote on their posts, click like or dislike, add comments etc. Engage other people and show interest in what other people are speaking about.
Scott Levy – Director of Internet Marketing – Web Full Circle
