The document presents etiquette tips for effective communication and networking in social media, focusing on updates, engagement, and privacy across various platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. It emphasizes the importance of thoughtful interactions, maintaining a professional image, and understanding digital footprints. Additionally, it provides strategies for building connections while highlighting do's and don'ts to avoid common pitfalls.

1. THE DOS & DON‘TS OF
SOCIAL NETWORKING:
Etiquette tips for effective communication & connection
Presented by Kathy Sipple, CEO/Founder, Social Media Trainer/Strategist
October 27, 2011 Business Women Unite Network • NWI SBDC • Indiana Commission for
Women

2. 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

3. WHERE ARE WE ?
…AND HOW DID WE GET
HERE ?
Smoke signals, town crier, pony express, telegraph, phone
chains
Web 1.0 – email, web sites
Web 2.0 and beyond…
Messages now travel at the speed of ―tweet‖

4. WHAT IS A NETWORK?
• ―Real time‖ engagement networks more linear in nature, 1:1
• Face to face networking limited—there‘s only 1 of you!
What about the network you can‘t see?

5. NEW NETWORK MODEL
Definition has changed—your network may be larger than you
realize!
Exponential growth, ―hidden‖ opportunities can be found.
―3 degrees of separation‖, many to many

6. IMPLICATIONS OF NEW
MODEL
• Permanent (and searchable) communication
• New challenges, learning new rules and new ―languages‖
• New opportunities!
• There is no map…
DON‘T panic. DO get excited! DO educate
yourself.

7. GOOGLE INDEXING, ALERTS
What does your digital ―cookie crumb trail‖
say?

8. 1:1, VERSUS 1: Email ―reply to all‖ on a whole new
•
MANY
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.
Did I hear you right? Think, say it aloud, then
post.

9. FISH WHERE THE FISH
ARE…
• 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?
LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter are current
leaders.

10. LINKEDIN
• 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.
24/7 Chamber of Commerce Style
Networking

11. FACEBOOK times per week+
• DO update regularly—3-5
• 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.
Backyard Barbeque: Friendly, Engaging

12. TWITTER
• 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.
Cocktail Party: Casual, Quick Conversation
Bits

13. AND… USE THE RIGHT BAIT!
• 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.
Do you have a compelling profile/message?

14. USE THE ―RIGHT‖ MESSAGE
PLATFORM
• ―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,
Make it easy for people to interact with you.

15. WHAT ARE YOUR
INTENTIONS?
Tip: DON’T post when you‘re angry or upset

16. DON‘T
• 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
Be intentional when you connect!

17. DO
• 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!
Short, direct and value driven!

18. DON‘T GET LOST
IN THE CROWD
• 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.
Engage, inform, delight!

19. IT‘S NICE
TO SHARE!
A+
• 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!
Share the good news!

20. THINK TWICE
• 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.
When in doubt, don‘t post!

21. TOO MUCH INFORMATION:
YOUR SAFETY
• 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.
Tip: be careful of information shared online

22. YOU‘VE GOT TO BE 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!
Spend some time defining brand ―You‖

23. WHERE TO FIND ME:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kathysipple
Facebook: http://facebook.com/kathysipple
http://facebook.com/mysocialmediacoach
http://facebook.com/sociallyspeakingwvlp
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kathysipple
Email: kathy@mysocialmediacoach.com
Phone: (219) 462-0600
Address: My Social Media Coach
2005 Valparaiso St., Suite 17
Valparaiso, IN 46383
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Connect to Kathy Sipple

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