[1]In the “real” world, would you randomly approach an acquaintance and ask them for a favor? Consistently talk about yourself without any regard for others around you? Jump into a conversation with strangers without introducing yourself? Accept a gift without saying “thank you”?
The same rules apply to social media etiquette as they would in real relationships. (And if you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you might need to brush up on your social skills – both online AND offline!).
Here are a few social media etiquette tips, for Facebook and Twitter, that will not only save you from experiencing a “foot-in-mouth” situation, but will also help you understand some of the rules of engagement in this new world of social media.
Facebook Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- When sending a friend request, include a personal message of introduction.
- Be a “real” person on Facebook. It is about sharing who you are and what you do, but your personal page should be personal.
- Acknowledge when someone posts on your wall. It’s a conversation.
- Post on your friends’ walls. Stay engaged.
Don’t:
- Don’t bombard your friends with group invites—Ask once. Move on.
- Don’t use your personal page as a platform to sell your latest gadgets. If you’re using it for business, be transparent about it – set up a fan page and let your friends decide if they want to join.
- Don’t use profanity on your wall. If it’s not something you’d want your kids or your grandmother to see – don’t post it!
- Don’t tag people in unflatter pictures. Think before you tag. This is definitely one of those “Do unto others…” type things.
Twitter Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Update your profile with your personal information, and a profile picture. Think of it as your business card.
- Acknowledge when someone retweets your tweet or mentions you. It’s the “Twitter” way of showing gratitude.
- Promote yourself. But mix it up. Share interesting articles, competitor’s links even. Keep it interesting.
Don’t:
- Follow everyone and anyone – or use an automated tool—just to raise your # of followers.
- Don’t use profanity. Again, a no-brainer here. It’s just in bad taste, online or offline.
- Don’t tweet just to tweet. If you don’t have anything to say…don’t say anything.
Remember, every time you submit a comment on a blog, tweet about your new product, or share a link on Facebook, you’re leaving your signature. It tells people who you are. Behind the computer screens are real people who will form an opinion about who you are – and whether they want to do business with you – through all those random posts and tweets. And it’s permanent.
So, before you hit “send” or “tweet,” think about how it will reflect your identity.
Speaking of social media, it wouldn’t be good “etiquette” if I didn’t invite you to connect with me. You can follow me on Twitter, [2]“Like” me on Facebook [3], and I’d love to connect on LinkedIn [4]. See you there!