Social Media is not much more than an electronic cocktail party.
People go there to engage other people. We meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, tell fish stories, share pictures . . . and occasionally make an ass out of ourselves.
There are some simple “rules of engagement” that (IMHO) should apply:
- Don’t talk Politics
- Don’t talk religion
- Keep your eyes and hands off other people’s significant others
- Watch your mouth if you get intoxicated
- NEVER believe “What happens here, STAYS here!” Once you put it out there, someone you don’t want to know about will hear about it.
- Tell the truth – Party lies are impossible to remember.
- No sales – If you go to the party thinking everyone there is a prospect for you to convert, you’re going to be very lonely
- Be gratuitous – Thankful and respectful to the hosts
- Be generous – give more than you take
- Be humble – egotists repel constructive interaction
So . . . Follow and be followed
Listen . . .
Invite . . .
Don’t judge . . .
Have fun!
Be GENUINELY yourself. If you change your persona while at a party, you’ll be busted later . . . and your credibility will plummet.
(This applies to Facebook, Linkedin, twitter etc etc etc)
There’s nothing new here, but I think the message improves with repetition