Many service-based business owners are leveraging the power of social media in their marketing and brand communication strategies – which is wonderful to see.
Unfortunately though, there are some unscrupulous (or perhaps ‘uneducated’) users, who are not following social media ‘etiquette’ and are therefore destroying their reputation and any chance of building solid relationships with their network. And as Owen Tripp the owner of a reputation company will tell you, it is extremely important that you keep your business social networking professional.
When it comes to social media, whether you are a novice or a pro, here are 10 DO NOTs and 5 principles you should adopt to ensure you use these technologies appropriately in your online interactions.
When connecting with me on Social Media – DON’T:
1. Post inappropriate photos and/or comments on my Facebook wall or Twitter feeds.
2. Blatantly promote your products and services on my wall.
3. Send me an email about your upcoming workshop/event after having only just connected with me. We haven’t had the opportunity to get to know one another yet.
4. Only post/write information about YOU and YOUR products and services. Just because I am connected to you, doesn’t mean I have given you an open invitation to broadcast your promotions.
5. Tag me in a video/photograph/other post that has no relevance to me because you’re only trying to get my attention. Guess what? You did, but for the wrong reason. I’ve just unfriended and/or blocked you.
6. Include my Twitter handle in a post to get my attention about your product or affiliate link. Again, you’ve got my attention but I won’t be following you OR clicking through the link. Anyway, you’ve probably just had your Twitter account banned for spamming.
7. Ask me to tell you more about myself and the work I’m doing. This shows me you haven’t bothered to read my profile, wall posts or feeds.
8. TYPE YOUR MESSAGES USING ONLY CAPITALS, because I’ll think you’re SCREAMING AT ME.
9. Send me an invitation to connect using the standard request provided by the technology platform. This indicates that you have not taken the time to read my profile.
[Note: I’ve been guilty of this myself so it’s a great reminder for me too, NOT to do this].
10. Use disrespectful language; bullying tactics; or name calling when commenting on my wall. If you disagree with something that either I or one of my followers has said, that’s fine – I respect your opinion. Please respect my opinion and that of my followers.
When connecting with me on Social Media – DO:
1. Be a relationship builder and show me that you care.
Show a genuine interest in what people are doing and saying and take the time to build relationships just as you would with any face-to-face interaction. People are more likely to recommend you, share your information with their network, or do business with you if they know, like and trust you.
2. Be respectful of others’ opinions even if you don’t agree with them.
Social media allows you to connect with thousands of people you would never have had the opportunity to meet if you were just relying on face-to-face networking. And, many of them will probably have different values and opinions than you.
Don’t force your thoughts or beliefs onto others in a disrespectful manner – after all, your opinion is just that – yours. Instead be willing to be respectful of them despite the differences.
3. Be on-brand and mindful of the online footprint you’re creating.
Everything you do and say reflects on you and your brand. Be sure that your posts, comments and interactions are of a professional manner and that you aren’t creating digital dirt that could cause a prospect to ‘not’ hire you.
If you think something could be misconstrued or if you wouldn’t want a prospective client to read it – don’t post it! They’ll surely find it, which may be the reason they hire your competitor rather than you.
4. Be a ‘giver’ and not only a ‘taker’
Social networking is not only about taking. Rather it’s about sharing resources and passing on information that you know would be interest people.
The more helpful and supportive you are in your interactions the more likely others will be willing to extend the hand of friendship and support when you need it.
5. Be honest in all your business dealings.
The technologies we have at our fingertips allow us to do business with people on the other side of the world without ever having to meet them.
Unfortunately, some people misuse these technologies by misrepresenting themselves and misleading people into parting with their hard-earned dollar.
Ensure that you manage all your business dealings with the highest of integrity, service and honour, and that your customers are happy to recommend you to their extended network.
Remember, when using social media, the information you share and your interactions should not be ‘all about you’. Avoid blatant broadcasting and promotion of your products and services to your followers.
Rather it’s about ‘networking’, sharing value-added resources, showing an interest in others, providing support and assistance, and about establishing and nurturing a strong network of like-minded people.
How about you? Do you have any social media horror stories that you’ve seen? Please share these in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you!
If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends and colleagues by clicking the ‘like’ button. As always, I really appreciate it!
Here’s to building quality relationships with social media.
Have an awesome day.
Annemarie Cross
Great article Annemarie. I'm constantly surprised by people friend requesting without a personal message and have noticed a big increase in message-spam on Facebook recently.
Keep up the valuable info.
Thanks Angela – I know what you mean. Each and every one of the ‘do not’s’ has happened to me by people that I was connecting with. I can’t believe some of the things that people continue to do. Just amazing!
The worst was number 10, when I had to block someone. He was calling people names because he didn’t agree with what they were saying. He then had the nerve to send me an email after I ‘Unfriended’ him, asking why, along with a few other things I can’t repeat. It was then that I learned how to block people on Facebook. Unbelievable. I’ve only ever had to revert to blocking twice. I’m sure it won’t be the last, however hopefully this article will educate people on what hey SHOULD be doing.
What some people may not even realize is that small businesses are not necessarily just online stores (or brick and mortar ones going into the social media world), but it can also be individuals attempting to sell products or push ideological views (scientists or religious people for example). I myself am in a band, and we hold true to these marketing tactics as well. We’re not a formal “business”, but your listeners are important and you want to treat them with respect like anyone else. I would say these are all great tips for most social media conditions as it matters with small businesses. Some things can be adapted, like the profanity issue (as a band this can ironically be attractive to some). But, on the whole, these are excellent tips to follow!
Thanks Annemarie! It's really quite simple, and yet s many don't "Get" social media and proper behavior. If you wouldn't do it in a crowd or to someone offline, don't do it online. Always a good reminder!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
Thanks for stopping by Jackie. I can’t believe some of the things I see online – they obviously have no idea how to build online relationships. Let’s hope they somehow find their way to this article!
Best,
Annemarie
Dear Annemarie,
This I like to be aware of over and over again.
It’s confronting to realize a lot of entrepeneurs are not even ‘gifted’ with emphaty. Only their own sake is probably their own interest. Say these Do’s and Don’t’s loud. Thank you for helping me making my ‘mindset’ more up to date.
Hi Bernard, lovely to meet you! Thank you for taking the time to share your comment. I think you are absolutely right. These points are very important and a great reminder for us all as we continue to build and nurture our online relationships.
Best regards, Annemarie
Hi Annemarie,
I’ve just discovered your website and I’m enjoying reading a lot of great information here. Specially this article about Social media etiquette. Points 4 and 5 are so important not only in social media, but in life. I enjoy Facebook specially and its something I can see we all tend to forget about. To give more and more.. be less self centered and more a participant by engaging with others. I’m focusing on that now as I know I will then attract like minded people.
I’m tweeting this post too.
Hi Tatiana, thanks for stopping by. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the article. It certainly is important as we continue to increase our online connections (and of course offline connections too). Thanks for sharing this post and helping me get the message out. I really appreciate it!
Thank yu Annemarie. You have inspired me and I want to post this on my blogpost acknowledging you fully. Thanks
Hi Graceiheji, thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you found the post inspiring! Thanks also for sharing this with your community. It’s an important message for sure!
Hi Annemarie,
I recently had one of the above happen to me in regards to their promotional event. I tend to believe that some genuinely don’t know better, assuming that it is ok to do so.This isn’t an excuse mind you, but can help put it into perspective as times.
Thanks for the post 🙂
Dave
Hi Dave, yes, unfortunately there are some organisations that genuinely don’t realise that this is not ok to do. One such example of this was someone in the finance business who posted a promotional piece about his upcoming workshop on many of the personal walls of his Facebook connections. Apparently he had done this a few times and people were tired of it. He received dozens of angry comments on his wall, with many people continuing to ban and report him. In fact, some of the language people were using was embarrassing. Not very good for his brand and reputation. I’m sure he would look back at this situation and wish he had taken the time to learn more about social media and the unwritten rules/expectations etc, so that he didn’t step (so hard) on other peoples toes.