I went to an interesting social networking class today.
(Sponsored by a great microbusiness networking group! Check out http://www.insideareacodes.com/)
These Were My "aha's" (and created names for a few)...
1. Don't sign up for a social networking site unless you plan on contributing! If you just sign up for them all and do nothing you appear to be someone with nothing to offer (or you'll look like a "taker").
I'll call this "Loitering"
2. Don't sign up for a social networking site and just ask for business. It's a "relationship" and therefore if it's one-sided it won't work (and you'll look like a "taker"!) You must CONTRIBUTE. Look for ways to help others, not just ask for business. Throwing your logo around, and mass emailing your "stuff" constantly to your "friends" is a no-no. This is what most people call "being pushy". I see this a LOT in facebook and others! (If they "get to know you" and like you, then they will care WHAT you DO and remember you.)
I'll call this Littering!
Blogging and social networking are opportunities for people to get to know you, and for you to help them. They enable you to accomplish this with far greater people, at virtually no cost (and without having to attend nearly as many networking meetings!). The idea is to provide value, and thereby pull them (voluntarily) to you.
Broadcasts, mass emails and blasting people that have trusted you with their email address with "all about me" information is "pushing". You wouldn't get in someone's face (physically) and scream "send me business, send me business, send me business!!!" So don't do that online either.
If you are going to sign up for a social networking site and add "friends", treat your friends as you would want them to treat you! If you don't want friends that are only going to show up to pitch their latest book, or business promoting video, or new listing, your friends probably don't either!
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