Tips for Success in Social Media & Social Networks

There are many techniques for success in Social Media and Social Networks. Below is a short list of the top tips:

• Blog. Your company website is generally pretty static, and in some cases, adding content is complicated and costly. Blogs can be linked to your site, adding content and links, and they are usually simple to set up and to maintain.
• Syndicate your content via RSS and email, enabling people who are interested in what you write to receive it via social media without having to go and find it.
• Use “Linkbait.” Sometimes a great article is a simple article. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a simple numbered list of items that highlight something no one else knows at the time.
• Reward those that link to you by linking to relevant articles that they write.
• Comment on blogs – it’s like leaving your business card.
• Be an active social networker. Your social network can be a great source of new information about issues related to your industry or niche – use this knowledge. Additionally, being active in your social network can move you into the position of being an influencer, the kind of person that sets the agenda for others. In such situation, be generous towards those that influence you.
• Manage your social profiles.  Decide what image you want to portray in the world of social media and be consistent with that image.
• Know the rules.  Don’t jump into any social media venue (e.g. Twitter, Facebook) without spending some time just observing and getting a feel for what is accepted behaviour.
• Social media is first and foremost social.  Spend the majority of your time interacting with and contributing to others, and the minority of your time promoting yourself and/or your business.