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7 Steps to Become Social in Social Media

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Business Credit Insiders Circle

Social MediaI like to compare social media marketing to one big party and recently my friend Perry Belcher gave a great example on this very topic.

Here are the' 7 Steps to Become Social in Social Media'

1) Pick a Party to Join


There are 3,000 social media parties (social sites) all over the Internet with over 700 million people partying (socializing) everyday and it's up to you to decide which party you want to attend. It's always best to go to the parties where you'll be able to meet people who share similar interests with you and you're business.


Now let's be honest how many parties do you think you can attend on a regular basis?


In social media most people can manage 3-4 parties so don't go crazy and think you have to be a party animal like Perry and attend 20. Once you decide what parties you want to attend on a regular basis then you're ready for the next step. First, check out this party directory and decide where you want to party.


2) Make sure you RSVP


Once you decide what parties you want to attend now you need to RSVP. In other words register yourself with these sites. Now I know there may be some of you that are party animals so you can always reserve your spot at all of the A-list parties too.



3) Dress to kill


When you go to a party you dress at your best right? Same thing applies when you attend a social media party. Now when I mean dress to kill I'm really referring to dressing your social profiles so they make a great impression when you come to the party (social site). Add a nice, clear, and friendly picture and be sure to complete your profile information entirely.



4) Show Up


Simply finding a party and sending out your RSVP and then dressing to kill is one thing but it all means nothing unless you show up to the party! You show up by sending tweets, posting updates, making comments, sharing links, @replies, retweets, or wall posts.



5) Bring some goodies


It's customary to bring chips, snacks, or some goodies with you when you come to a party. When it comes to social media you bring value. Value can come in all sorts of ways from personal value, professional value, or promotional value.



6) Be the Light of the Party


Don't drink too much, behave all crazy or start fights in other people's parties. You might not be invited to the next party ever again.


OK, I know that doesn't apply to social media but being offensive, mean spirited, or downright rude will make others run in the other direction. Be fun, encourage others, engage in conversations, and most importantly socialize. If you go to a party and just walk around and never talk with anyone how can you expect to make any meaningful connections. Remember a connection leads to a conversation but it's up to you to participate.



7) Don't Leave Early


Don't be the first one to leave the party. In social media this means to be the last one to leave the conversation. When you post an update or tweet and someone @replies you or makes a comment it's important to respond or acknowledge the person who is engaging in a conversation with you. Don't leave them hanging! It's like meeting someone at a party and they ask you a question and you walk away without saying anything.


Social media marketing is all about making connections with others on a personal and professional level and this is accomplished though various means of social media outlets. Until you treat social media like one big party and begin to dress to kill, show up to party, bring some goodies, and be the light of the party you will end up missing out on what social media marketing can really do for you and your business.


What are some of the ways you're making connections on a personal, professional, or promotional level?


Remember - To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others. ~ Anthony Robbins



Make it a great day!


Marco

President
National Entrepreneur Club


Marco Carbajo is a business credit and social media marketing coach. His blogs and articles are featured in Alltop, Scotsman Guide, and Entrepreneur Connect. He is the founder of the National Entrepreneur Club, an online membership community that helps entrepreneurs obtain the cash credit and financing their businesses need and increase profits with social media marketing. You can follow him on Twitter or visit his Social Media Marketing Tips Blog.



Copyrighted and published by Marco Carbajo of UCan2, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Show All Comments Sort:
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Marco, this is a very fun analogy for social networking! It makes perfect sense as well. I might add, along with showing up, introduce yourself to new people by tweeting, reaching out to them first.

May 03, 2009 04:34 PM
Omega Omega
Omega - Glendale, CA

Marco - Solid advice!!!!!!  Thanks for sharing.

Cheers

May 03, 2009 04:35 PM
Marco Carbajo
Business Credit Insiders Circle - Howell, MI

Thank you Frank & Sharon for the positive feedback. You're absolutely right on when it comes to befriending others and introducing yourself. Thanks Fredy! :)

May 03, 2009 04:41 PM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Good post.  I am still trying to figure out how best to use social media.

May 03, 2009 04:51 PM
Ray Logan
Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors - Stacy Mathews - Houston, TX

Great analogy, hope to see more future posts like this one.

May 03, 2009 07:07 PM
Marco Carbajo
Business Credit Insiders Circle - Howell, MI

Thanks Gene and Ray! Feel free to check out my social media marketing tips blog at http://www.marcocarbajo.com.  Have a great week :)

May 03, 2009 08:01 PM
Chanda Barrick
Keller Williams Indy Metro Northeast - Indianapolis, IN
in referral

Marco, all good tips.  I didn't realize there werre SOOOOO MANY social media networks!  It's hard enough to keep up with the few I have, much less try to hop on the wagon for more.

~Chanda

May 03, 2009 11:22 PM
Tina Maraj
RE/MAX One - Fullerton, CA
Celebrating 30 Years of Real Estate Sales

Great advice. There are so many to choose from. But you are right about how to be successful.

May 04, 2009 03:43 AM
Marco Carbajo
Business Credit Insiders Circle - Howell, MI

Yep there sure are Chanda and luckily you only really need to focus on 3-4. :) Thank you for the feedback Tina :)

May 04, 2009 10:48 AM
Anonymous
Sunoj

Thanks for the timely post highlighting the importance of being social with the objective of making connections. Very few websites do actually have such information with www.karmiccoach.com and www.mysticselling.com being the exceptions.

-Sunoj

May 31, 2010 04:04 AM
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