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Top 5 Etiquette Tips for Networking on Social Media

I have a friend who shared with me recently that one of the ways she keeps up with what’s going on in the lives of her four grown children is by checking their Facebook and Twitter profiles. She knows where her son—who is away at college—is spending his time most days because she sees his Foursquare check-ins pop up on his Facebook page! My friend feels more at ease by having a little glimpse into their daily lives (even though her children would probably say she was stalking them!).

Social media has definitely changed the way we interact with people—both personally and professionally. But one of the biggest changes social media has brought about is how we network.

In my book “The Power of Polite,” I site this example: When meeting new people, would you jump into a conversation without introducing yourself? Would you consistently talk about yourself without any regard for others around you?  Of course, you wouldn’t – and the same rules apply when connecting with people through social media as they would when connecting in person.

When connecting with people online, keep these five business etiquette tips in mind:

Have a professional presence. If you’re on Twitter, you’ve seen the “egg.” Those profiles that haven’t put a professional photo in their profile are left with the default “egg” to identify them on Twitter. Whether you’re on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn, update your profile to include a professional photo and up-to-date bio that demonstrates your passion and area of expertise. On LinkedIn, your professional headline is important, so make sure it shares more than just your job title—express your full competency.

Introduce yourself. One of the best ways to introduce yourself on social media is by sharing useful content. This is a great way to grab the attention of those you want to reach. On Twitter, retweeting other people’s updates is a form of acknowledgement. Simply by being social (on social media) will get you noticed and you will begin to make connections.

Be real. LinkedIn is a great place to connect with business professionals, but one of the biggest mistakes I see people make is connecting with people by sending out the default message LinkedIn provides. When inviting a business connection, add a personal message with the invitation. Something like, “Hello George. It enjoyed meeting you at the business luncheon at Ted’s Restaurant last week. I’d love to add you as a professional connection here on LinkedIn.”

Listen. Whether it’s real life, or online, building connections has more to do with listening and engaging than it does with talking about you, you, and you. Choose key people you want to connect with and listen to what interests them and jump in where there is an opportunity to provide value.

Show your gratitude. When someone shares your content, or provides feedback on one of your social networks, always say “thank you.” Not only is this good etiquette, it is a great way to connect with a fan or follower and engage in a further discussion.

Whether you’re connecting with people online or in person, knowing how to present yourself in a way that sets you apart from your competition is key to success.

Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette and tagged social media etiquette, LinkedIn, business communication.