As recent history has shown online marketers are quick to identify growth opportunities for their businesses and social marketing has proven to be no exception.
The original intent of social networking sites were for people to gather to share ideas, interests, stay in touch, or even meet new people all on a casual basis. With this in mind it is important to identify and adhere to the proper code of behavior that is expected while participating at one of these sites. This is especially true if your intent is to conduct business since your success will be based upon building relationships with other site members.
Here are 5 things you'll want to avoid doing that could sabotage your social marketing efforts:
Not Taking Part in Discussions
The main idea of social networks is just that to 'socialize' with other members. You need and want to mingle to get become familiar with other participants while allowing them to become familiar with you. To not take part in online discussions and then attempt to market something is just downright rude. The result is you will be identified as nothing more than an opportunist or spammer and will rightfully be ignored.
Becoming Fully Automated
Some sites such as Twitter offer you the opportunity to program some of your comments in advance. The idea is great and is meant for people who want to interact at a certain time but will not be available. Some marketers and you know who you are, rely heavily if not exclusively on this type of automated system. Worse yet they don't even try to interact all they do is repeatedly send sales pitches. Once again by doing this you're destined to be ignored by others and labeled a spammer.
These are social networking sites whose intentions are for PEOPLE to interact NOT SOFTWARE!
Continually Selling
Your intent at these sites is to be building relationships with other members to gain their trust and loyalty. Eventually you can introduce different products or services but the majority of the interactions should be social in nature. If you're constantly pitching a new product, idea, service, or opportunity NOBODY will want to associate with you.
Disruptive or Antisocial Behavior
Your conduct like everybody else at any social site should be courteous and respectful of others. You are a guest and should behave as such. Tactful and polite disagreements are acceptable but rudeness, vulgarity, harsh criticism or other like behavior should not be displayed.
Creating Fictitious Profiles
Most every site gives you the opportunity to 'register' your profile upon signing up and it is encouraged to do so. It's hard to befriend or socialize with anybody when you don't/won't reveal your identity.
The same is true with falsifying your profile. What's the sense? If you're going to do that then why even bother joining? In fact people have a legitimate reason to 'question' your intentions if you are displaying a fake identity. If you are in business you obviously don't intend to be so for long. That sends a real bad message!
Social network marketing can be an extremely effective and efficient way to grow your online business. and rapidly. There are many methods you can use for marketing online but few surpass the speedy results or 'viral capabilities' that these sites offer. It is up to you as a sincere and responsible business owner to identify and practice the proper etiquette that is expected when participating at any social site. Your ability to do so will enable you to maximize the full potential these sites have to offer for both you and your business.
