Common Social Networking Mistakes
There are a few mistakes that people make when using social networking sites to try to get more exposure for their business. These mistakes can be minor and not amount to much, or they can be fatal and cause you to lose your business and never make contact with anyone.
Naked Profile.
If you try to use social networks by just signing up and sending bulletins and emails to people, you’re missing the point entirely. If you don’t have a profile that’s the first thing people notice. You’ve already ruined your credibility and made yourself look like a scammer. Anyone who doesn’t take the time to at least set up a simple bio page has nothing to present. Even if you add friends, what are they going to see? No one wants to do business with someone they don’t know. To them you’re like a stranger lurking in the shadows with no real identity. You also want to have a nice picture of yourself so they will see it when your activity comes up in the search engine of the site. If you don’t have a picture people see you as the default no pic blank photo and this makes you look like you’re not professional or trustworthy.
Your About Me Page is all about your business opportunity
This makes you look like you’re broke and you need someone to sign up for your opportunity because you need to pay your light bill. Your about page should be about you and who you really are. It’s not the place to promote or advertise. People want to know you, not what you do or how much money you make.
Too much hype
We already know that your business is the next best thing since buttered bread, but when you have too much hyped up claims about how your business is making you a millionaire in three days, we can see right through it. If you’re that rich why do you need to use social networks at all? You should be on a warm sunny beach somewhere enjoying your good fortune.
Sending ads in comments and friend emails.
Oh boy..that one is a big no no. When you use your friend’s comment box to post an ad or banner for your business, you’ve shot yourself in the foot. Do you honestly think they’ll sign up for your business just because you shove it down their throat?
Put a link or a banner on your profile just in case someone wants to know what you do, but the main thing you want to do is present YOURSELF as someone who is credible and has a handle on who you are as a person.
Social networking is all about making friends, being helpful, and being REAL.
People want to do business with people they can identify with and who they can get to know as a friend first and foremost.
If they want to know what you’re doing to make money online they will ASK YOU. Then you have the opportunity and the PERMISSION to tell them and they won’t feel like they’re being sold to.
Rebecca Beasley has been online for 16 + years and has written
hundreds of articles to help newbies and oldies alike.
© July 13th 2008 All rights reserved
Naked Profile.
If you try to use social networks by just signing up and sending bulletins and emails to people, you’re missing the point entirely. If you don’t have a profile that’s the first thing people notice. You’ve already ruined your credibility and made yourself look like a scammer. Anyone who doesn’t take the time to at least set up a simple bio page has nothing to present. Even if you add friends, what are they going to see? No one wants to do business with someone they don’t know. To them you’re like a stranger lurking in the shadows with no real identity. You also want to have a nice picture of yourself so they will see it when your activity comes up in the search engine of the site. If you don’t have a picture people see you as the default no pic blank photo and this makes you look like you’re not professional or trustworthy.
Your About Me Page is all about your business opportunity
This makes you look like you’re broke and you need someone to sign up for your opportunity because you need to pay your light bill. Your about page should be about you and who you really are. It’s not the place to promote or advertise. People want to know you, not what you do or how much money you make.
Too much hype
We already know that your business is the next best thing since buttered bread, but when you have too much hyped up claims about how your business is making you a millionaire in three days, we can see right through it. If you’re that rich why do you need to use social networks at all? You should be on a warm sunny beach somewhere enjoying your good fortune.
Sending ads in comments and friend emails.
Oh boy..that one is a big no no. When you use your friend’s comment box to post an ad or banner for your business, you’ve shot yourself in the foot. Do you honestly think they’ll sign up for your business just because you shove it down their throat?
Put a link or a banner on your profile just in case someone wants to know what you do, but the main thing you want to do is present YOURSELF as someone who is credible and has a handle on who you are as a person.
Social networking is all about making friends, being helpful, and being REAL.
People want to do business with people they can identify with and who they can get to know as a friend first and foremost.
If they want to know what you’re doing to make money online they will ASK YOU. Then you have the opportunity and the PERMISSION to tell them and they won’t feel like they’re being sold to.
Rebecca Beasley has been online for 16 + years and has written
hundreds of articles to help newbies and oldies alike.
© July 13th 2008 All rights reserved
Tags: branding, bulletins, e-mail, howto, internet, introductions, marketing, networks, profiles, social
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alaia Leighland on -
Great Article.... since I came to this forum from another ing site that was totally different in focus.. my initial thought was to look around and see if this is a fit for me befor posting a page , advertising whatever i do or inviting friends. These sites do not offer the opportunity to look unless you sign up and then that means that you have to put up the page etc... even before you are sure that it is a proper place for you.
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Permalink Reply by Leah Elise Curry on -
This is a great article. The reason I have been joining social networks is to allow people to get to know me. It is my intent to establish credibility on the internet and not make a nuisance of myself. I very much appreciate your thoughts. -Leah
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Permalink Reply by kristin rockey on -
I know what turns me off, someone who is only about promoting themselves or leaves me only pictures and no words, no hello's , not a thing but the advertising they are doing. I like to buy from friends!
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Permalink Reply by The Lights of Rose LLC on -
Thank you Rebecca for saying the truth!!! I'm trying to run my own network with the understanding that its just for networking and referring each other - but some businesses join to just "Park and Run". All they do is attach themselves to you and then never contribute to the cause. I find it extremely frustrating at times.
Best regards,
Annie
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Permalink Reply by Mz. Vanessa on -
Thank you so much....this is overwhelming(exciting) but I'm learning how to do it all.
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Permalink Reply by Tony on -
Thanks Rebecca! you're discussion here is a breath of freash air for a newbie trying to find his sea legs. Glad to have found this community.
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Permalink Reply by Aryan Offshore Solutions on -
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for your wonderful post. It is really helpful for eveyone considering using social networks for promoting his/her business.
Regards,
Aryan
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Permalink Reply by Ed Thomas on -
Rebecca...you hit it out of the park. I haven't been doing this very long (about 2 months) and Thats pretty much what I have told people that have asked me. This is the first time I've been to this section. I wanted to know if what I was doing was OK. You just confirmed it for me. Thats the way I felt when I started, and I'm glad I had a chance to read your article. Thank you. Have a very nice day.
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Permalink Reply by Scott Morrison on -
Good post Rebecca. Got an Social Networking Do's?
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Permalink Reply by Lisa on -
Great idea Scott!
Can't wait to see what people have to say. I am definately one of those that demand the positives.
Education is essential and this article is great, now lets focus on what to do!
Have a great and productive Tuesday everyone!
Lisa
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Permalink Reply by Deb Mullen on -
Rebecca,
This is a GREAT article and to be sure many, many people
waste their time advertising instead of "Connecting".
One of my pet peeves is that people don't pick up the phone
and actually make a LIVE connection.
There is nothing that makes Social Networking work as well
as actually "Getting SOCIAL"!!! :-)
Thanks for the great advice.
Deb
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