Social Media Etiquette
I am stretching to take on the world of social media - this is my first attempt at a discussion forum! I got a lot out of the first class. So far, I have set up my LinkedIn profile (BTW, I'm accepting kindly worded feedback) http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasandersaflac
Somehow I can't help but feel like I'm in the social media equivalent of a high school gym wanting to dance and not knowing how to approach someone...
What is the etiquette for making contacts? For example: I have a client who has connections listed in their profile. One connection sounds like someone I'd like to do business with. How do I know if my client has a strong relationship with that person? Is it okay to just request a connection? Am I supposed to clear it with my client first?
I need tips on getting started, or maybe just a little nudge onto the dance floor! Your input, please....
Thanks,
Maria
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Social Media Etiquette Answers
Well Maria, Firstly I want to thank you for talking about how you feel - because I know you aren't alone!!! Even I stumble at times, and the truth is there isn't a strict set of etiquette rules. When in doubt, i fall back to what I would do if we were face to face... and then add alot of graciousness to it, since the internet takes away alot of our tonalty.
That said, in the situation you describe - where your connection has a connection you'd like to meet - I would ask a few questions first.
1. How good of a connection is your connection to you personally?
Do you have the kind of relationship where you could ask for an introduction and they would know what you were asking for? This is the WHOLE POINT of LinkedIN... to allow people to ask eachother for introductions, so don't be to worried about whether or not it's okay.. but do think about how you could word it to honor and appreciate your connection.
2. How good of a connection is your connection to the person you want to meet?
Take a quick glance and see if they share previous employer or education... they could have a myriad of other things in common... but this is just a quick thing that doesn't hurt to know - often a previous coworker or fellow alum are great friends and you can ask for a lunch introduction.
3. Get up and do it!
The internet world has a very short memory - get out and try things... people will forget your successes and/or failures in a week or two, so if you mess it up just wait a couple of weeks and try again with some different wording.
If it were me, I would send a "request to be introduced" to the connection I want to meet. This will invite me to send a message to both the hopeful connection AND my friend connection... I usually say to my friend something like
"I would love to meet xyxyxyx, and I see that you two are connected - I don't suppose you would be able to introduce us, would you?"
And to the person I want to meet I say something like:
"This is a longshot, but I thought I'd email you (insert your intention here). I don't know if that works for you, but if so perhaps we could met for coffee (or chat on the phone) sometime next week? You can ask me questions, I'll ask you questions, and at the very least maybe we can get some referrals going?
Let me know what you think, no pressure either way."
Hope this helps, feel free to post more comments and I'll help you work them out. :)
Cheers,
Rebekah
Rebekah King
Social Media Maven
714-727-5882
www.rebekahking.com
the best thing to bear in
the best thing to bear in mind with social media is that pretty much the same etiquette in real life applies in social media. So just like you wouldn't stop someone in the street and ask them for a job (unless you're nuts) it is considered bad manners to to befriend randoms, in fact it is really considered as spam. Only get in touch with people you don't know if you are recommended by a mutual friend, or if you can offer something of real value to the person you are getting in touch with. hope that helps, best way to learn is to participate!!
Social Media Etiquette
Josh does have a point w/ regards to 'spamming' in social media, but it's not true that spamming is considered bad manners. Some people (such as pr/marketing/journalism types) befriend as many people as possible so they can be the first to chatch a new trend or story. You should always behave online in a manner consistent with your brand - if you are promoting yourself as the most "networked", then having many many connections is consistent with your branding. On the other hand, if you are branding yourself as a high-end stylist, having alot of mom & pop type friends and no high-end friends (like celebs or famous wealthy people, or ceos & chairmen/chairwomen) would be inconsistent with your branding.
Like we say, pick a direction to go in, set goals, and then all your work online & offline will be towards this goal. Stay consistent with who you say you are and you'll pass the test of ettiquette and authenticity every time.
Cheers,
Rebekah
Rebekah King
Social Media Maven
714-727-5882
www.rebekahking.com