We all know that good manners and etiquette are important whether making connections through social media or in an interview. “Be careful what you post” may be the new adage for the current generation, but how do you know if you are following the etiquette of this ever-expanding social media world? In this post, I’ll give you some quick dos and don’ts of social media etiquette to help you make better impressions and connect more effectively with your customers.
1.Respond in a timely manner when you receive questions or comments. Have a negative comment? Do not ignore it. Address the distress, and use it as an opportunity to show that you really do care about people’s concerns.
2.Follow people who follow you on Twitter and Pinterest if their posts are relevant to your platform.
3.Pull, don’t push. Rather than constantly pushing the same message, pull customers to you by posting a variety of relevant material you think is valuable, inspiring, and conversation worthy (post more than just job openings).
4.Say thank you when someone compliments your service.
5.Do not market on LinkedIn Groups. According to social media guide Justin Beller, advertising your business on your LinkedIn Groups is poor practice. LinkedIn Groups are available to offer opportunities to share advice with other members of your field. If they want to know more about you, they will visit your profile.
6.Control your comments. Commenting and posting questions is a great way to network, but it can become bothersome if you’re dominating the discussion. Ask yourself if the post you have in mind is relevant, and space out your questions/comments to give the conversation time to grow.
7.Keep it professional. Some people choose to create two social media accounts: one that’s strictly professional and another that’s personal. It’s not necessary, but if you’d like to keep a more secure toll on what posts, tweets, and tags your followers see, a separate account might save you some effort in the long run.
8.Be kind – skip the nasty comments. To paraphrase online marketer James Debono, if you wouldn’t say it in a public place, don’t say it online. It’s fine to share your opinion, but make sure your comments (on your personal and professional accounts) are respectful and helpful. Remember, if it’s online, potential clients might see it.
9.Don’t friend people you don’t know. Sending requests on Facebook and LinkedIn to people you’ve never met is frowned upon and could give you a bad reputation. If you are connecting with someone you recently met, however, try sending him/her a message reminding them of your conversation.
As you work on your social media presence, think of your platform as a way to reach out and invite people to visit your website. The goal is to be genuine and offer helpful advice, which will prompt people to look into your business.
Getting your social media act together doesn’t have to be time consuming or stressful. At ASJ Partners, we’ll help you create a strategic marketing plan for your recruiting office so you can stop worrying about what to tweet, and get back to your work. Contact us today with any questions and implement your new marketing strategy.
