Are You Socially Correct?

THE DOS & DON’TS OF SOCIAL NETWORKING:

October 27, 2011 Business Women Unite Network • NWI SBDC • Indiana Commission for Women

Etiquette tips for effective communication & connection

Presented by Kathy Sipple, CEO/Founder, Social Media Trainer/Strategist

KATHY SIPPLE• CEO (Chief Engagement Officer) at My Social Media Coach

• Social Media Specialist at Forward Progress

• Co-host Weekly Show ‘Socially Speaking’ on WVLP 98.3 FM

• NWI Tweetup Founder• 219 GreenConnect Founder• Green Drinks Organizer/Green Event

Promoter• Background: Seminars, Advertising,• Chamber of Commerce, Trade Shows

Named Indiana’s Most Influential Woman in Social Media, 2009

• University of Michigan, BA Economics

WHERE ARE WE ? …AND HOW DID WE GET HERE ?

Messages now travel at the speed of “tweet”

Smoke signals, town crier, pony express, telegraph, phone chainsWeb 1.0 – email, web sitesWeb 2.0 and beyond…

WHAT IS A NETWORK?

What about the network you can’t see?

• “Real time” engagement networks more linear in nature, 1:1

• Face to face networking limited—there’s only 1 of you!

NEW NETWORK MODEL

“3 degrees of separation”, many to many

Definition has changed—your network may be larger than you realize!Exponential growth, “hidden” opportunities can be found.

IMPLICATIONS OF NEW MODEL

DON’T panic. DO get excited! DO educate yourself.

• Permanent (and searchable) communication• New challenges, learning new rules and new “languages”• New opportunities!• There is no map…

GOOGLE INDEXING, ALERTS

What does your digital “cookie crumb trail” say?

1:1, VERSUS 1: MANY

Did I hear you right? Think, say it aloud, then post.

• Email “reply to all” on a whole new level!

• 1:1 messages take longer to spread. Think before posting—now messages travel at the speed of “tweet”

• Messages less likely to morph over time, BUT more direct accountability with 1: many relationships

• Don’t squash negative commenters—answer publicly, then take it offline.

LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter are current leaders.

• DO check Quantcast.com to learn more about a site before you join.• DO stay alert for new ponds—watch your network to find out where chief influencers are spending time.• DO decide: business, personal or both?

FISH WHERE THE FISH ARE…

24/7 Chamber of Commerce Style Networking

• DO update regularly—1-2 x per week, business related posts only.• DO fill out your profile completely, including a detailed summary, areas of specialty, a photo, etc.• DON’T use default language for invitations or recommendations.• DON’T ask for a recommendation unless you have earned one.• DON’T be afraid ask to connect with people.• DO provide relevant information about why such connection will be beneficial to the other person.

LINKEDIN

Backyard Barbeque: Friendly, Engaging

• DO update regularly—3-5 times per week+• DO tap into your friend network for business. • DO tag fans, ask questions and otherwise engage audience—make it about them, not you.• DO look for cross promotional opportunities, i.e. support a cause as your business, or share others’ good news and events.• DON’T talk 100% about business—remember why you were “invited to the party”.• DON’T be boring or repetitive.• DON’T be an absentee owner—respond at least as fast as email.

FACEBOOK

Cocktail Party: Casual, Quick Conversation Bits

• DO search for key words of interest and follow new people.• DO create an interesting bio and choose a custom background.• DO use hashtags to reach beyond your immediate followers.• DO retweet others’ tweets.• DON’T post the same tweet over and over.• DON’T use automated direct messaging.• DON’T use Twitter strictly as a Facebook or LinkedIn add on.• DO respond to mentions and direct messages as you would email.• DON’T export hashtagged tweets to other sites.

TWITTER

Do you have a compelling profile/message?

• DO complete your profile 100%.• DO include a professional (recent!) photo.• DO limit information shared by utilizing proper privacy settings• DO provide value for your network• DO use available technology to enhance your post, i.e. include a link • DON’T be overly self-promotional.• DON’T badmouth others.• DO speak the “local” language.

AND… USE THE RIGHT BAIT!

USE THE “RIGHT” MESSAGE PLATFORM

Make it easy for people to interact with you.

• “Right” is relative and involves insight into the person with whom you are communicating

• Can change with the situation…at a large conference or during a presentation where quiet is needed, texting or Twitter may be better than phone or email.

• Answer like with like—tweet for tweet, Facebook IM to Facebook IM, email to email, text to text, etc.

• Choose the appropriate level of privacy for the content—for your eyes only, share with friends only,

Tip: DON’T post when you’re angry or upset

WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS?

Be intentional when you connect!

• Unsolicited, no context• No recognitioin• No value statement• No photo• Non-descript profile• Typo in the profile (school name is misspelled.)• I don’t need the services they are offering• Likely outcome—will not accept this invitation

DON’T

Short, direct and value driven!

• Remind a new acquaintance where you met.• Photo provides secondary reinforcement.• Compliments usually go over well.• Shows excitement about the connection.• Value statement—how might we work together?• Invitation accepted, proposal written and submitted!

DO

Engage, inform, delight!

• DO listen and observe before diving in, but eventually—dive in!• DO schedule time on your calendar for social interaction• DO set objectives for your interactions online (and off)• DO integrate and synergize online and offline activities• DON’T be afraid to be yourself—be memorable.

DON’T GET LOSTIN THE CROWD

Share the good news!

• DO thank people publicly when they’ve been helpful• DO tag rather than simply mention people or businesses when able• DO acknowledge when others say good things about you.• DON’T be a broadcaster—ENGAGE!

IT’S NICE TO SHARE!

A+

When in doubt, don’t post!

• DON’T share content you don’t own without permission.• DON’T take (and post) photos of people without permission.• DON’T tag images that are “date sensitive” (class of 1974 reunion), or at least be okay with it if people untag themselves.• DON’T tag images of people if they’re not in the photo. Exception: see example to the right—thanking people for helping.• DON’T tag images of people that are unflattering.

THINK TWICE

Tip: be careful of information shared online

• DON’T include birth year in social media profiles.• DON’T post updates that let people know you are out of town, walking alone, etc.• DO use caution with ‘checking in’ using GPS technology.• DON’T accept requests to connect on Facebook unless you know the person.• DO change passwords frequently.• DO check your online reputation. Try Googling your name, set a Google alert.• DO limit information shared by utilizing proper privacy settings.

TOO MUCH INFORMATION: YOUR SAFETY

Spend some time defining brand “You”

• DO use a professional head shot for your regular profile.• DO consider potential ramifications of sharing information online. • DON’T use industry jargon (without explaining).• DO use keywords and phrases regularly to say what you do.• DO share good news and accomplishments with your network• DO ask questions.• DON’T lean on your network for info you can get yourself.• DO look for win/win scenarios. Pay it forward!

YOU’VE GOT TO BE YOU

WHERE TO FIND ME:

Record/share goals

Connect to Kathy Sipple

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kathysipple

Facebook: http://facebook.com/kathysipplehttp://facebook.com/mysocialmediacoachhttp://facebook.com/sociallyspeakingwvlp

Twitter: http://twitter.com/kathysipple

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (219) 462-0600

Address: My Social Media Coach2005 Valparaiso St., Suite 17Valparaiso, IN 46383

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