How to Avoid Being Called A Spammer On A Social Network

How to present your business...

That sounds silly doesn't it? Why would I have to learn how to present my business opportunity to others? I just sign up and start posting right?

It would seem on the surface to be that easy, but I see a lot of people have a real hard time...

Over time social networks create a very tight community. Everyone learns the rules and looks out for each other...

That's the first thing... Read the rules. Different social networks approach how you display links differently or even what you can talk about...

The other thing is don't come in gang busters!! Don't try to prove yourself and get to excited about showing everyone your knowledge etc....

Get to know the community first. Hang out for a while. Introduce yourself politely... Usually there is a separate area set aside for intros... And then start browsing.

Get to know the other members... Remember a lot of these people have known each other for a while. They may even be doing business behind the scenes...

Once you have a feel for it, start helping out.

Helping out... If you have any knowledge to contribute, provide it... Help people with things you know about.

Learn... Read... Learn... Read some more... Ask questions...

Then let it rip if you want to.

The bottom line is very few people can go crazy right off the bat... There is an exception here or there, but usually the community wants to see you contribute for a while before you get bold. They need to get to know you.

Definitely don't provide a sales pitch in your first posts... You will getting flaming posts and anger the community. Everyone will see it as spam.

It's just like building any relationship. Take it easy at first until you get to know each other.

Social networks are powerful things. Don't abuse that power. And don't ruin your reputation...

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mari Torres on September 7, 2008 at 4:36pm: Matt, your information here is very helpful, I will do my part in spreading your word.

Thank you so much for sharing it with me!

Mari Torres "The Network Marketing Rebel"; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arthur Mishkoff on September 7, 2008 at 7:40pm: It is good advice...I am new to the scene and I have been told in harsher terms what you are saying here..
Thanks,
Arthur

PS My biggest problem is to get people to look at sites I want them to and then to actually sign up..easier said than done..; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joyce Decormier on September 12, 2008 at 12:59pm: I am too new too, and don't get it. Is this just to socialize? If everyone is in business, we are to share ideas? Then what???; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mark M. Smith on September 13, 2008 at 12:48am: Hello Joyce...if I may add my opinion.. most people who are new to marketing seem to think that by joining social networks...they can just hold up their billboards and add campaigns and expect everyone to respond with excitement...ready to buy (into) whatever the
poster is selling.

But the truth is more to do with the relationship developed with that person. If you go to a store and get lousy customer service or a sales person practically jumps on top of you as soon as you enter their shop...how does that make you feel ?...On the other hand
if you feel the person is genuinely trying to help you get whatever it is you need or want... how likely are you to do business
with that person ?

(just some thoughts..hopefully that can help in some way)

Mark M. Smith; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Debs on September 25, 2008 at 2:17am: Mark I think you're right here,

Business networking is like socializing on a more focussed scale. In order to build relationships on any biz network, it's still necessary to observe the social niceties as Matt points out in his article. Sharing info and providing valuable insights will lead others to gain an interest in what's working for you.

Moreover, once people start to value your presence and the information that you are giving them, they will believe that things are working for you and then be even more interested in what it is that you are doing to earn money online.

This also has the added advantage of giving them confidence to stick with you even if they don't make money as quickly as they hoped. They will already have learned from you that business relationship building is a slow process, but that open-ness and helpfulness are what work and they will build their business based on these factors also, and that's when the sky becomes the limit...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Nichols on November 7, 2008 at 1:43pm: A good way to introduce your business would be to write blog posts in your area of expertise and leave your web address on it. Same is true with introducing yourself to newcomers on this or other social net sites.

As you show your interest in other people, applicability of what you do to what they do or need, and your expertise in given areas, then you become known and trusted.

It takes a little time, but really not all that much when you consider that this is a targeted site for many of us in small businesses with many people who may potentially become customers over time.

Liz Nichols
www.myblogbuilders.com
www.liznichols.blogspot.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lea on December 16, 2008 at 7:11am: Joyce,
I'm sure there are many reasons people gather here:
To create a business network, to find business leads, to find friends in the same boat as far as being Self-employed. Some have tips for helping those who are new in business or freebies to give in order to help others in their business or in their personal life.
"Then what?" is a good question so just jump in, share your ideas and yourself and find out.
We're all in it together and can help each other in one way or another.

Lea
Luke 1:37
Rescue Paws Northwest -- check out my Animal Connection group; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by magicalmirror on January 20, 2009 at 7:34am: Joyce, its about networking. You wouldnt want anyone to come into your home and start selling right??

Noone really likes that aggressive marketer. What if someone came to your door and wanted to come in right away and start selling cleaning materials or let me show you how this works and that works, so when people start sending their businesses out on your page, its like yuk, and you turn away.

What it is about is that yes everyone does or is in a business and wants clients, but the difference is - is how you present yourself. Its about getting to know people and them trusting you and your services. Once you get to know someone you can talk about Business, there is always a fine line with that, unfortunately that takes experiences and I hate to say it sometimes alot of network marketing groups, MLMs that one went through and alot of mistakes and often like anything else - you are in college, could take a year and a half or so before you even get going or get off the ground, depends on your stamina and how fast you learn how to promote yourself, but you have to give it time, your business is a business and you need clients.

So whats it about. There are many things out there on the net and so you are weeding through things. Alot of people dont know their way around, but alot of us who have been around awhile and trained by profis do know their way around and know the net pretty well and what you should say.

So one thing you dont wanna do is just slam your business on someones page, its not becoming.

You want to find some way of warming up to them and helping them. You want to introduce yourself as the experts in what you are doing and help set up blogs and not sell your Business right away. Get to know people, write back and forth, give something for free and show them that you are personable, make people feel like you know what you are doing and even speaking about even if you dont know what you are doing. Its trial and error till you really know how to market yourself properly - thats when the customers arrive.

Anyways, just my two cents, I am not into network marketing now. I am a coach and thats what I do. I wish you all the best.

All the best, if you need anything let me know.

Barbara; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nathan George on September 8, 2008 at 10:11am: That info is VERY helpful. Thanks Matt.

Nate; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Billy on September 8, 2008 at 1:24pm: Sound advice indeed. Would love to learn from people in the now on how to get my business growing; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Trina on September 8, 2008 at 1:37pm: Matt,

Sound advice!

Thanks for the information.

Trina; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barbara Siragusa on September 9, 2008 at 6:27am: Thanks Matt. I have had the pleasure of pitching too quick!! Lesson learned.; ▶ Reply to This