SocialTrending

Social Media is “Social” by definition. It will do you no good to start a Social Media campaign and then lurk in the shadows. Here are our beginners etiquette tips for starting a social media campaign with your company, or just for personal online reputation management.

1. Always be open and honest about who you are
The customer will find out if you are lying or if you are pretending to be someone else.

2. Always give credit and citations where they are due
Similar to being honest about who you are, don’t take credit for something you have not done. Opinions are great, but researched material is better.

3. Keep comments and responses in a positive frame
Even if you are being slandered, be the bigger man. It is easy to be sucked into a negative mindset. Instead, inspire discussion and collaborate.

4. Avoid linking to your own site within your comment, have a link within your sign off
Inserting a link within your actual comment will significantly increase the perception of your comment as a marketing gimmick.

5. Don’t post for the sake of posting
If you can not add value don’t try and sell.

6. Don’t bite off more than you can chew
It's better to be well known and respected in a few social networks than be a relative unknown in many.

7. Track your comments in case there are any follow up questions
We have mentioned this before, Social Media is a conversation, not a “post and run.”

8. Take time to read others comments before making your own
Its bad enough being the third guy to share the same idea, let alone the 47th.