What’s the secret sauce of social media? Well, it’s not just one recipe. After all, far too many apps, sites, and tools exist for a definitive source of success on social media. But it seems the pros share some common habits.

1. 12
habits of
successful
social media
pros

2. What’s the secret sauce of
Social Media?

3. Well, it’s not just one recipe.

5. But it seems the pros share some common habits.

6. They do
these 12
things:

7. 1. Help

8. It doesn’t matter whether they have 1,000 followers or 100,000, Social
Media pros often help others. If it could be harnessed, the karma flying
around the Twittersphere (and on G+ and Pinterest and so on) might be
sufficient to advance all humanity closer to world peace.

9. 2. Share Fairly

10. The pros never steal. They don’t have to because they’ve figured out
that it’s not actually content that’s king. It is the creators of content that
rule the kingdom. Social media stars create amazing content. And they
also share content liberally, crediting generously as they press the
words: publish, pin, or post.

11. 3. Thank

12. The smoothest social media folks are also among the kindest.
Just check out the Twitter streams of those with hordes of
followers eager to sop up the social savvy. Tweets from the pros
often contain thanks and kind words for others.

13. 4. Remember

14. To have an effective social presence, you need to be mindful of others.
Social media pros remember what it was like to not know that RT stood
for retweet (or to not know what retweet meant). I think it is, in part, their
own memory of feeling like a newbie that keeps the social media pros so
generous with their tips and advice.

15. 5. Don’t Patronize

16. The pros don’t talk down to their audience. And they also aren’t afraid to
admit if they don’t know something and need to double check before
answering. I’ve listened to more than one webinar in which presenters
gave a best guess to a question. Being so comfortable with their
competence that they exude authenticity only underscores their social
media chops.

17. 6. Follow

18. In many, if not most cases, they follow back.

19. 7. Have Conversations

20. They have a lovely way
with the back and
forth, but also they
know when to take it
offline or move to
direct messages.
Social media is not
one-way or
performance art. Not
when done well,
anyway.

21. 8. Make time
for Social Media

22. They also know how hollow this comment is: “I don’t have time for social
media.” So many tools help with scheduling posts, keeping track of
mentions and chats, or monitoring various aspects of social presence that
makes this excuse just that—an excuse. Social media pros find ways to
find time.

23. 9. Blog

24. It’s nearly impossible to be effective with, on, and around social media
without blogging. This is a vital way to stay engaged with your audience
and to maintain and build a social presence. Pros blog. Period.

25. 10. Remain Present

26. Sure, everyone needs to
take some time off and
seek downtime. Social
media mavens are no
exception. But generally,
the pros are present.
They ask, respond,
reach out ,and chat with
many others. That’s one
of the ways they hone
their skills. They’re out
there, doing it. They
don’t fake it.

27. 11. Show Their
Personality

28. Personality draws
followers. It’s what lures
readers to blogs, viewers
to webinars, and eyeballs
to shared content. The
best on the Web all have
a personality that pops.

29. 12. Laugh at
Themselves

30. We’re all learning on social
media. So much is new that it’s
impossible to have mastered
everything. But the most
effective social media types
maintain a sense of humor
about it. They can, and do,
laugh at the funny things that
crop up so often online. They
don’t take themselves too
seriously. That’s one of the
things that make them so
effective, and so fun to follow.

32. What do you think?

33. 12
habits of
successful
social media
pros