* "Only connect. . ." E.M. Forster, Howard's End

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

A Guide to Etiquette on Social Networks

Social media marketing is a very useful tool in generating awareness about your business. Social networks have become one of the most indispensable tools for any business to have an online presence. There are a number of social networks on the web today, each with a character of its own. It is important that you understand the character of these social networking sites and understand the etiquette that each of these sites require. Some of the accepted standards of etiquette will be discussed in the paragraphs below.


Twitter
One of the most popular social networks on the web, Twitter is used by individuals and businesses alike. Posts in tweeter are available for viewing by a large section of users and an inappropriate post can harm one's reputation. When creating a page for your business, it is important that you do not post text that is irrelevant to your business. You must also remember that tweets made cannot be deleted, so write your words with utmost care.
Another very important tip while using twitter is to refrain from making personal posts using your business page since it can make your business look unprofessional. While including facts relevant to your business or industry is accepted, indulging excessively in self promotion can create a poor image not only of the business but also of its owner. Also make sure your posts do not expose confidential business information and data.
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Facebook
Facebook is also an increasingly popular choice for business to promote themselves online. Entrepreneurs can create an exclusive page for their business and the more "likes" a business gets, the more it strikes a chord with its customers. The site also has its own advertising service, where businesses can post ads about their business. This service works in a similar way to the Pay-per-Click (PPC) campaign of Google.
You can use your Facebook page to create posts articles, links, video and pictures, so make sure you make efficient use of them. It is advisable to refrain from posting pictures and links that have little to do with your business or are pure spam. The same policy should also be followed while posting text- such behavior can reflect poorly on your business.


LinkedIn
It must be known that LinkedIn is quite different as a social network from Facebook and Twitter. While the other two are casual social networks, LinkedIn is an out-and-out social network for
professionals. It is, in fact, meant for professional networking rather than social networking and is a very effective tool for social media marketing.
When you create a page for your business, it is advisable that you use a professional looking photograph for the purpose. Also when you create posts, emphasis on spelling and punctuation is a must.
Another important point to remember in social media marketing is to stay away from defaming others, individuals, businesses or customers. Such behavior will create a poor reflection of your work ethics and make you unpopular among customers and people in the industry.




Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-marketing-articles/a-guide-to-etiquette-on-social-networks-5260692.html#ixzz1ZSQ0FAEY
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