I wanted to share an email I got from Darren Olander : Do you have Netiquette?

Date:

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 18:01:59 +0000

I wrote another article for you and it is about how to properly
use social networking sites to improve your marketing and exposure.

I hope it is value I am providing to you... Enjoy!

Social Networking: Netiquette

Netiquette is the acceptable behavior within a social marketing
(Web 2.0) or social networking atmosphere. Failure to recognize
these unspoken rules could mean little or no marketing results, or
even worse, a disastrous effect on your image.

It is actually quite common for people to misuse social networks,
and thus, receive no real benefit from them. In fact, more than
anything among professional social networks people naturally have
the wrong idea, and the few that do know what they are doing are
experiencing great results.

What is the common problem? The problem is that marketers view
these sites only as a means of advertising and sponsoring people
into their businesses. Don't get me wrong though, if used properly
these sites will increase your businesses and income, but with a
much stronger foundation.

First let's go over what not to do through social marketing. As a
side note, social marketing can mean any Web 2.0 social
book-marking, content sharing, or social networking site. You
should not blatantly shove your product or opportunity. Instead,
you should be attracting people to you by offering value and
information to other users. If you are becoming friends with users
just to send them advertisements without attempting to build a
personal relationship then you are misusing the site. In most cases
it is also true that these users will not be responsive at all to
your message and will just block or report you. However, once you
have built a relationship with your contacts it is ok to send them
an announcement of your product or opportunity along with an
informative message on how it will help them. You should limit how
often you do this, do not promote your stuff to them every day, try
to keep it to once per week.Instead, bring them value 90% of the time
and 10% promoting yourself or business. You will find that you are
attracting more and more people to you instead of chasing people.

Another pitfall that some people fall into is conflicting with
others within the social network. Know the difference between
discussion and attacking. If you have a different view than someone
else it is ok to voice your opinion but make sure to use facts and
keep a constructive atmosphere.

Now let's go over some tips for what you should try to do and
accomplish through social networking sites.

1) You should build relationships

This one is obvious, but still needs to be mentioned because of its
huge importance. People buy from people they like and trust. If
that is you they will buy from you. Introduce yourself to other
users, but spend more time asking and talking about them than
yourself. Discover their goals and needs and help them achieve
them. A simple way of showing value to your contacts is by teaching
them how to use the social network if they have questions about
certain features or customization options. You also need to keep a
regular communication with your friends; this can be done on a mass
scale through bulletins or by bulk e-mailing your friends. The
communications should be value based and mostly informational, this
will increase the likelihood of their interest in what you have to
offer.

2) Help connect people to others

One thing you can do that will earn you major points with others is
by introducing people to each other. You can do this through
recommending friends who have similar interests. If your friends
are involved in the same opportunity or sell the same product
connect them so they can share with each other. If one of your
friends sells something and another friend is looking to buy it,
then that is a simple connection you can make. Now your friends
will want to help you and the favor will be returned.

3) Evaluate your perspective

Are you constantly thinking about what others can do for you?
Instead consider what you can do to help them. If your goal is to
help others first you will build solid relationships and receive
phenomenal results in your business. Ask others how you can
possibly help them and they will see you as a valued friend.

4) Upload a photo and build a quality profile

Profiles with photos receive up to 70% more exposure. This shows
the importance of adding a photo to your profile. If you do not
have a photo of yourself you can put a photo of anything, the
important thing is that you have a photo uploaded on your account.
You also need to take the time to build a quality profile. First,
write briefly about yourself, provide some marketing tips or
advice, and then feel free to write about the value that you can
provide to others. Every friend of yours should be visiting your
profile at least once, and if the network allows for you will be
having views from non-friends or even non-members also.

5) Add and accept unlimited friends

Finally, your goal within the social network is to connect with as
many people as possible. The more people you are friends with then
the more exposure you can potentially have to your products or
opportunities. Most social networks allow you to bulk contact your
friends. You will use this feature in order to send helpful tips as
well as promotions to all of your friends at once. This is why
building up your friends list is even more valuable. If you are
adding a lot of friends it is likely you will not be able to
personally get in touch with all of them, in this case it is wise
to show them your value and professionalism through your bulk
communications to all of your friends so they can learn about you
and the value you provide.

Social networks offer you the ability to get exposure but so much
more. A huge benefit to social-networking is learning from others
and being in an environment of shared knowledge. Take advantage of
everything social networks have to offer and take the time to build
quality relationships. I still work with other network marketers I
met online over six years ago and these relationships have become
highly valuable! In final words: Networking is a contact sport.

I wish you quality networking,

Darren Olander
Marketing Consultant

Skype: darrenolander
Yahoo IM: darrenous

P.S. - If you are involved in the new wowzza social network I have
put together a forum for all of us to use to get connected with
each other even more in a professional atmosphere. To get involved
just go to http://www.talkwowzza.com (If you are NOT a member of
Wowzza but are interested in joining you can go to
http://www.wowzzateam.com )

1553 Firestone Loop, San Jose, CA 95116, USA