Social networking is an umbrella term of sorts that wears many hats. The long and short of social networking though can be broken down into the two words that comprise the term and placed in pretty much any online format. We are all fairly well aware of what networking is. We've been doing it since we've realized we wanted to get to know the kids in the other sandbox on the playground. Many careers have been made and lost based solely upon networking decisions. The Internet has opened up more doors than many of us would have ever thought possible for networking within our lifetimes.
Social networking moves beyond barriers that once kept us separate. Social networking isn't hampered by physical location or economic barriers (assuming that people of all means can access the Internet). When it comes to online marketing and operating a business via the Internet social networking is vital to the success of the business. The reason it is becoming so important is simple: exposure. Social networking, in many ways, is viral. The more people you reach out to and network with, the larger the potential pool of people who will want to network with you becomes.
If you are doing business online and wish to expand your contacts, broaden your virtual reach, or simply make friends and connections around the world, then social networking is important to you. It is time to learn about some of the options for social networking that currently exist and put them to work for you.
Facebook. It is believed that more people access facebook on an average day than many prominent search engines. Some people have even gone so far as making facebook their home pages and the first page they view upon logging on to the Internet. Considered more social than networking by many the sheer volume of traffic makes this a good start for business social networking efforts.
Twitter. Growing in popularity Twitter allows mini blog posts that are often used by online marketers to connect with others in their niches or to let “followers” know about important blog posts, articles, special offers, lens updates, etc. This service is also great for simply getting to know one another, letting your hair down, and having a nice conversation...a few short sentences at a time.
Linkedin. This is the more professional of the online social networking offerings. Many people consider this the shirt and tie group. Important connections can and are made via Linkedin on a daily basis. The social interaction at Linkedin is limited to the groups that you can join and there are quite a few groups that not only offer the opportunity to network but also to advance your skills making you more marketable.
Social networking is not one size fits all so be sure to try out several different social networking platforms in order to find the right fit for your business.
Just how many times have you logged on to the internet to find an obnoxious friend request from a complete stranger? Or just how many times have you been pestered to join vampire or food fights on Facebook via emails, notifications and messages? Does this all sound similar? Or worse still, are you one of those who keep sending these pestering messages to almost every one in your inbox?
Social networking sites, such as LinkedIn, Diggit, Facebook or Orkut are being used by a large number of people all over the net, which is a good thing. But the flip side is that in the wake of advancing technology and being able to remain connected all the time, people tend to breach into the other’s private space and time. Seriously, how does it matter if someone is not willing to add you up in their friends list? Or is not as interested in accepting an invitation of being tickled online?
Pointers to keep in mind
There is a certain social etiquette one ought to follow, even online. Trying to socialize online can mean quite the same as in real life. Hence, it only makes sense if one tries to follow a certain sense of decorum online.
Some of these include:
· In case one is looking for new friends, sending friend requests to random strangers without properly introducing oneself is not such a great idea.
· Keep chatting consistently about something without having any regard for others interests.
· Repeatedly asking for favors online from distant friends whom you otherwise barely talk to.
· Introducing yourself to the other person using the name of some professional company or random, unrealistic first names.
Similarly, online social etiquette also varies depending upon the type of social networking platform one is using. As in Facebook, one should not post private messages on wall posts for the world to see or copy content from other authors on a blog space and use it as one’s own without accrediting the concerned person properly. It is as important to be polite in online world as in real life. Nobody would care to reply back to a rude post.
Ban the intruders
While trying to socialize online, it is not uncommon to chance upon total weirdos. They do exist and chances are they will bother you too, at some point of time or other. The key is to ignore them quietly but firmly. While dealing with online social networking sites, it makes sense to protect one’s own account and the information contained in it. Almost every site allows their users to restrict access to their concerned profiles, in order to prevent misuse of that information.
And last but not the least, when communicating via emails, it is important and polite to reply to an email which demands immediate response. Keeping the other person waiting is not a very good sign of social etiquette and will only go on to show how poorly capable the person is of displaying some online social decency.
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