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I can’t keep quiet any longer!  What an absolute load of rubbish most people talk about Social Media & Networking and, more importantly, how to harness it for business use.  There seems to be a whole industry growing up around myths and stories that have no basis in fact, so be warned.

Perhaps you’re still left wondering how best use it, or even if you should at all?  Maybe you’ve already dived in but not finding it particularly productive or stimulating?

Let’s work backwards for a moment.  Social networking is exactly about that, networking.  Creating a profile, adding lots of ‘friends’ and then broadcasting your news to the world is a bit like walking into a room at a networking event standing in the middle and shouting sales messages to anyone who might care to listen.  Meanwhile there are lots of people, all huddled in little groups, having interesting conversations between each other and getting to know each other. 

Standing on your own spieling to the room simply doesn’t work – and you’d look ridiculous!  As you might imagine, your efforts may seem a little strange and eccentric to others.  Of course someone might come over and try to help you out, strike up a two-way conversation and help you get started but it’s not very likely.

You need to approach Social Networking in the same way you would a physical networking opportunity.  Once you enter the space your first job is to wander about, get close to the conversations that are going on already, find the ones that interest you (and you feel you can contribute to) and then listen.  Listening is the key to good Social Networking skills.  It’s where it all starts.  Once you’ve found a conversation you like, you can find an appropriate way to engage with it and add something of value. 

This is how you can start to build a credible profile…

… which is vital if you want recognition in the Social Media space.

The Social Network across facebook

People who endlessly post comments about what they have to sell will find the Social Media landscape a very harsh and barren environment.  If you’re a mega-brand and your positioning is already established then yes, you may be able to attract lots of fans and keep them entertained with the next product offering you’ve got coming up.  If not, you’ll want to use Social Media to start to create that profile and help people to get to know you. 

Avoid inane comments and drivel and certainly stay well away from the keyboard late at night when you’ve had one glass of wine too many but do let your tribe know what you’re enjoying right now.  Be that a new product or service that you’re consuming, books, music, arts, comedy, etc., etc.  Engage and comment on a range of issues that not only affect you but the people you want to connect with.

So the other golden rule is to engage… to be Sociable.  It’s interesting to see people who pop into the space for just a few moments, stand there and shout about how great their product is and then promptly leave again.  What would you think of a person who did this in the ‘real world’?  Take time to read what others are talking about, contribute, comment, challenge if you like but above all be social.  The same good communication skills are needed in this virtual environment.

Apply these simple and hopefully obvious rules and you’ll not only find the Social Media space an interesting place to be, you’ll make new connections and become recognised.  Who knows… you might even find it brings you new business opportunities too.