Social Networking Basics & Etiquette
MyPage: Robert Mesa
If one wants to improve his or her position in network marketing or any business, social networking is one of the keys to success. But before you can actually build your online reputation through social networking you first need to know what it's about and how to get started with it. Here are some basic social networking and etiquette tips, to get you started.
Contribute
As you create your member profile, keep in mind that you are offering your services and products in a subtle way. Your "profile page" should contain informative articles, images, videos and other content that you think might provide other members with some idea on what you can offer.
Participate
You should make sure that you increase your visibility by participating in group discussions and forums. This will show the other members your sincerity in trying to establish connections. Some may disagree, but for the maximum potential of a network, you should only join profiles that cultivate the same interests and preferences you have and whose members will immensely benefit from your services.
Offer Help and Receive Help
Whenever the opportunity to help other members arrive, you should try to be as helpful as you can. You can provide expert opinion based on your own experiences. Aside from offering your help, you can utilize these profiles to ask for help if ever you or your business encounter some problems. With such interaction, your expertise is not only established but you will also be seen as someone who is trustworthy.
Share
One of the benefits of social networking is being able to share with other members your experiences. The same way you expect your network to be interested in whatever is going on in your professional life, you should also show the same courtesy by reacting to their experiences.
Respond
You should not be surprised if visitors will go to your site asking for your help or opinion based on the expertise you have established. You should make sure that you answer them with a high level of professionalism. You can also try to do some soft selling if what these people need is among the services and products you offer. You can also establish long-term relationships by visiting their sites.
Social Networking Etiquette:
1. All Social Networking profiles should be appropriate for future bosses.
2. Your Social Networking profile should represent you in a positive manner.
3. Your Social Networking profile should be realistic.
4. Sharing your personal life is fine, however make sure your photos, content and conversation are rated “Group Appropriate”.
5. Your profile should be complete, accurate, detailed and thorough.
SNTIP: “Think of your online presence as part of your resume. If there is anything up there that you would not want a boss or co-worker to see, take it down. It's fine to share photos and events from your personal life, but be discrete and “PG.” Monitor what other people write on your walls, comment boards, and elect to keep some parts of your profile private.”
6. Focus on Relationship Building. Relationship building is the foundation for success in social networking. When you meet someone online, you want to focus first on learning who they are. It's not about saying "Hi" then sending them to a sales page.
7. Don't Abuse Signature Lines. In internet marketing, you're taught to make the most of every piece of real estate on a page, especially your signature line. When you sign your social networking messages with links to your opt-in page or even your blog, then you're perceived as being pushy. Pushy people are the party crashers, and don't make many lasting relationships!
8. Comment From the Heart. One way to build relationships with others is to offer genuinely helpful comments on their pages. A bad habit carried over from the traditional internet marketing world be to use the comments as a place for self-promotion.
SNTIP: These social networking basic tips & etiquette will allow you to utilize the potentials of Sta.rtUp.Biz to the fullest. Basically, it all comes back to the golden rule, respecting other people in order to be respected.
NOTE: Coming Soon SNSTAR (Social Networking STAR) a Sta.rtUp.Biz Group, and a place to share and learn to become a Social Networking Star.
Continued Success,
Robert Mesa
SiliconPost.Com
If one wants to improve his or her position in network marketing or any business, social networking is one of the keys to success. But before you can actually build your online reputation through social networking you first need to know what it's about and how to get started with it. Here are some basic social networking and etiquette tips, to get you started.
Contribute
As you create your member profile, keep in mind that you are offering your services and products in a subtle way. Your "profile page" should contain informative articles, images, videos and other content that you think might provide other members with some idea on what you can offer.
Participate
You should make sure that you increase your visibility by participating in group discussions and forums. This will show the other members your sincerity in trying to establish connections. Some may disagree, but for the maximum potential of a network, you should only join profiles that cultivate the same interests and preferences you have and whose members will immensely benefit from your services.
Offer Help and Receive Help
Whenever the opportunity to help other members arrive, you should try to be as helpful as you can. You can provide expert opinion based on your own experiences. Aside from offering your help, you can utilize these profiles to ask for help if ever you or your business encounter some problems. With such interaction, your expertise is not only established but you will also be seen as someone who is trustworthy.
Share
One of the benefits of social networking is being able to share with other members your experiences. The same way you expect your network to be interested in whatever is going on in your professional life, you should also show the same courtesy by reacting to their experiences.
Respond
You should not be surprised if visitors will go to your site asking for your help or opinion based on the expertise you have established. You should make sure that you answer them with a high level of professionalism. You can also try to do some soft selling if what these people need is among the services and products you offer. You can also establish long-term relationships by visiting their sites.
Social Networking Etiquette:
1. All Social Networking profiles should be appropriate for future bosses.
2. Your Social Networking profile should represent you in a positive manner.
3. Your Social Networking profile should be realistic.
4. Sharing your personal life is fine, however make sure your photos, content and conversation are rated “Group Appropriate”.
5. Your profile should be complete, accurate, detailed and thorough.
SNTIP: “Think of your online presence as part of your resume. If there is anything up there that you would not want a boss or co-worker to see, take it down. It's fine to share photos and events from your personal life, but be discrete and “PG.” Monitor what other people write on your walls, comment boards, and elect to keep some parts of your profile private.”
6. Focus on Relationship Building. Relationship building is the foundation for success in social networking. When you meet someone online, you want to focus first on learning who they are. It's not about saying "Hi" then sending them to a sales page.
7. Don't Abuse Signature Lines. In internet marketing, you're taught to make the most of every piece of real estate on a page, especially your signature line. When you sign your social networking messages with links to your opt-in page or even your blog, then you're perceived as being pushy. Pushy people are the party crashers, and don't make many lasting relationships!
8. Comment From the Heart. One way to build relationships with others is to offer genuinely helpful comments on their pages. A bad habit carried over from the traditional internet marketing world be to use the comments as a place for self-promotion.
SNTIP: These social networking basic tips & etiquette will allow you to utilize the potentials of Sta.rtUp.Biz to the fullest. Basically, it all comes back to the golden rule, respecting other people in order to be respected.
NOTE: Coming Soon SNSTAR (Social Networking STAR) a Sta.rtUp.Biz Group, and a place to share and learn to become a Social Networking Star.
Continued Success,
Robert Mesa
SiliconPost.Com
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Candice on -
Thank you, Robert, for these helpful tools. The internet has been a vast gray area for social etiquette and it is nice to see that common sense does still, indeed, prevail. I think one thing I would like to add, if I may, is that sense I got of walking onto a used car lot when I signed up and immediately got "welcomes" that looked a lot like form solicitations. There is a definite line between a nice welcome and a "I CAN HELP YOU BUILD YOUR BUSINESS....NOW!" message that has been sent to every newcomer in the same format.
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Permalink Reply by Louise Burns on -
I liked this post Robert,
Hopefully ALOT of people will read it. It seems like most people don't even read other peoples profiles and just send generic mail to everybody . i don't think thats the way to interest anyone in you're business opportunity.
Louise
951-461-3645
Luv my healthy Chocolate
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Permalink Reply by George H. Barnum Jr. on -
Hello Robert,
Thank you for writing the article.
Sincerely,
George H. Barnum Jr.
Insurance, Tax and estate planning consultant
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Permalink Reply by Clive Wright on -
This is a valuable and sensible discussion. I'd like to add a thought about the distinction between primarily social networking (e.g.: Friendster) and primarily business networking (e.g.: LinkedIn).
On the former, there is a larger element of fun and personal interaction, and any sort of sell is not part of the expectation. However, on the latter, it is a business environment, and people want to know whether you are a potential employer, partner or client fairly quickly. In this context, a more direct approach is very acceptable.
Most networks are actually less focused, so while Ecademy is primarily business-orientated, the social courtesies that Robert describes so eloquently apply. Likewise on Facebook, a primarily social site, business contacts can be made, but less directly.
The world of online networks is becoming nuanced, with hybrid and narrowly-focused networks, where even more specific unwritten codes of behaviour apply. For example, on Ammado, which is NGO/CSR focused, there is a much higher level of trust of strangers because of the assumed shared outlook.
I think the best part of Robert's advice lies in the thinking about appropriateness. This is a topic that has, to my mind, been neglected. I remember (years ago) being warned not to put anything in an email that I would not want my mother to see...perhaps the same applies to our networking activity...!
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Permalink Reply by Neal Varrette on -
The comment on relationship building will help a great deal in my buisness.Thanks for sharing.
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Permalink Reply by Dr. Robin Rushlo on -
I hear all this lip service That everyone wants to have people come to their business and be customers or be distributors but I see little or nor action. I have used now 4 different people services from the group without even a visit to my websites.
I am beginning to feel like the social network sites even the ones fro business are just alot on lips service and no action. I offer free samples for a small shipping fee and not one have come from this site. Yet I hear we all are here to support each other. ( but it I will support you if YOU go first and I see how much you spend with me then I will spend the same with you.) This is where the LAWS of the universe start to fall down. Read "the Go Giver" and find out what it is really all about.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Larson on -
Thanks for the great article, Robert. As a relative newbie in the SN realm, I really appreciate basic 'how to' information from someone with experience, both the obvious and not so obvious. Basic, but very practical, especially some of the more subtle points. Thanks again for the excellent advice. (I'll try a subtle link in my signature line when I figure out how to do it.)
Steve Larson
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Permalink Reply by Donna Reiss on
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Thank you for sharing this wealth of knowledge to a newbie like me....I hope my profile meets your test?...
I will keep all your helpful hints in mind....stop by anytime...you are welcome...Namaste Donna
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Permalink Reply by Robert Mesa on -
Hi Donna... My article was not an attempt to seek your approval, but, I thank you for considering my opinion of value. I visited your profile page, very impressive.
In closing by commenting on this article and your invitation to visit your profile page shows professional interests and a willingness to grow. This will take you a long way. Thank you for your invitation to visit your profile page.
Continued Success,
Robert Mesa
SiliconPost.Com
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Permalink Reply by Robert Mesa on
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Hi Hazel... Thank you for sharing your experience & knowledge, it brings to mind a quote by Samuel Johnson, "Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information on it."
That's what networking is all about!
Continued Success,
Robert Mesa
SiliconPost.Com"
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Permalink Reply by Robert Mesa on
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Hi Teresa,
Thank you for your comments to this post. I do alot of research and I like writting about and sharing what I learn. If I can be of service to you and or answer any questions fill free to drop me a line. I can be reach from my Profile Page, or you can visit my website listed below. Happy Holidays to you as well.
Continued Success,
Robert Mesa
SiliconPost.Com
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Permalink Reply by Lesley-Ann van Niftrik on -
Hi Robert,
I enjoyed your article. I'm still very much a beginner when it comes to social networking, but a very enthusiastic learner. I'm pleased to know that etiquette is encouraged. Some sites I've been on can get quite nasty.
Greetings from sunny South Africa
All the best
Lesley-Ann
Let's Get Growing
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