Express-It

4 Tips for Social Media Convo and 4 Networking Strategies for Successful Connection — Are You Connected?!

In it’s most basic terms, Social Media is a form of connecting. The rationale for that connection varies for each participant, but in order to make the most out of the networking effect — you do need to engage.

How do you communicate? Certain approaches actually repel participation and engagement. What is your style or approach in sharing information, communicating with — not ‘shouting to’ your network?

4 Tips for Social Media Conversation

What conversations do you instigate?

What do you discuss with your contacts?

• Topics can be hot ones to discuss in-depth from many angles; or absolutely horrid, that no one wants to hash over one more time, a hot potato to avoid in a public forum.  For instance, some folks will steer way clear of discussions involving religion and politics — while others gleefully dive into the fray. It does depend upon your network.
• Videos and stories or language may be offensive in nature, even if not the contact’s own beliefs. Hate speech or rough language doesn’t usually engender rational discussion centered around in-depth thought, openly sharing of ideas in a conducive environment.
• Overtly spouting your judgment or harsh criticism on your latest rant– some in your network may be fearing to be next in the line of fire of this public firing squad, so they’ll keep their heads down low, if they don’t flee. Opinions — like elbows, most everyone has them — can be interesting, but the words chosen to express your thoughts may not elicit the meaningful discussion you hope for, resulting possibly in a hasty “delete.”
• Are you a Thought Leader? Do you continually add value to you network? “Value” comes in the form openly sharing relevant, interesting links, thought-provoking content and salient points made in thoughtful comments.

4 Social Media Networking Strategies for Successful Connection

1. Do you remain personally connected? Do you ‘retweet’ or return the visit? In your social networking activity, do you ever pop over to a contact’s Facebook profile and leave a comment for them? Quite often, they will not only appreciate your effort, but make a point to at least respond, or return the favor by touching base with you on your profile page.
2. Sometimes, you might find some folks don’t appear in your feed when you’re on… I’ve known people who considered their Facebook status update to be an “email” to all of their friends. Trust me, if someone has over 1,000 contacts in their Facebook network, they are likely going to miss that important ‘message’ you posted one time during the day when they weren’t on the platform. On Twitter, it would take only a few hundred in a contact’s network to miss your one tweeted message, as active as the Twitter platform is.
3. Strong-arm tactics to force communication by threatening “lopping off their heads” by ‘deleting’ contacts you jointly agreed to connect with won’t get you anywhere. I saw this ploy done recently by yet another self-acclaimed Social Media guru, who has hung out her shingle as a “pro” networker. Surely she realizes folks may not be on to see this. Perhaps they’re so uninspired or bored, they don’t make an effort to be in touch.
4. Again I say, “Communication is a two-way street.” Folks are not connected with you to hang onto your every word and dutifully respond to all of your requests of self-aggrandizement and reassurance. You must meet them halfway, at the least. Offer them the connection from your end, not just a “welcome to my network, and here’s what I can do for you for $$$$… join my Facebook page at least, or – goodbye…!”

How engaging are YOU, anyway? If you want to connect in a more meaningful way with an active network, I recommend jumping in wholeheartedly, with a strategy in hand and sincerely communicating with others. I want you to know that within the letter of  existing laws and common decency for the good of society at large, I completely support your freedom of expression and communicating what you want on your own profile, blog, site and social media streams. If you want to connect and have more meaningful dialogue with others, I recommend your reviewing the 4 Social Media Conversation Tips, and consider your Social Networking Strategies I’ve listed here. Time to put your mirror away, and that megaphone down!

Here’s a great article on Social Media Marketing:

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/business/x826102018/Social-media-marketing-scrutinized

Do you have Social Media Networking tips or strategies you recommend? Please leave a comment — let’s discuss…

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