Social Networking Do's and Don'ts

Just as with most anything else in life, social networking comes with it's do's and don'ts. It is important to follow these usually unwritten rules if you want to fit in and thus, have some success.

Here are some suggestions.

Do's

• Market yourself just as you would market a business. Think branding and image. Decide on what kind of image you want to be known as in the social network and follow it.
  
  
• If you are going to use the same persona for more than one social network sites, be sure to stick to the one image. You want your followers to remember you without confusion.
  

• Remember to be personable to a point. That point would be where your integrity in relation to your on-site persona may be questioned. It's important to share a bit of your yourself such as a hobbies or volunteer work as a small part of your profile to make you appear human .

• Always be honest. Like in any other arena, honesty is the best policy. It is a lot easierto be honest than trying to keep mistruths organized.
  
  
• Do go into social networking slowly. Take time to observe how things are done.
  Take time to familiarize yourself with the site and its community.
  
  
• Do remember that courtesy in contagious. Be friendly and cordial with other members. Remember - it is a "social" site.
  
• Do remember to keep the social in networking. A random message or post on a wall can go far.
  
  

DON'T

• Don't skip important details that make you personable. Include your hobbies on your profile.
  
  
• Don't get into religion or politics unless your blog and your network is based on either. You wouldn't want to insult or steer away a potentially good ally.
  

• Don't assume that your network is all about you. On the contrary, if you want to build relationships you must show genuine concern for the other guy.
  

• Don’t advertise using an aggressive or pushy market strategy. People aren't stupid and if they sence that you only want to network with them to benefit yourself they will never trust you.

• Don't forget to update your status daily. It reminds people that you are there.
  

• Don't have a "self promotion" agenda. If your only reason for being there is to promote yourself, you will not be successful.
  
  
• Don't use bad, vulgar or offensive language. Remember to behave yourself.
  
  
• Don't stalk. Give people their space and leave their contacts alone, unless they are mutual from a group or association.
  

It isn't difficult to get acclimated to social networking and make it work for you. It is just a matter of sticking within the norms of the network society.