Social Media has now become an integral part of our lives. But are we focusing on social media etiquettes? People are using social media for entertainment and as a way to connect with others. On the other hand, bloggers are using it for other purposes also like promoting their business, advertising, marketing, etc. But we all are forgetting the basic ethics and social media etiquettes that are also important to make social media platforms a better place. It is a powerful communication tool and we should use it wisely. It has changed the way business connects and interacts with their customers. If used wisely, it can be very helpful for you and your business.
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Social Media Etiquettes We Should Follow
There are lots of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Quora, etc. They have their own features and various options that uniquely define them. This article is not about what are the features of these platforms and which one you should use, but to tell you the social media etiquettes you should keep in mind while using them. A few of them are:
- Never Spam Your Followers’ Wall & Feeds
This is one of the important social media etiquettes. It is good to do self-promotion and promote business but do not be spammy. Promote your product and business to targeted people not to everyone. One such example is, tagging people on your Facebook post. Not everyone is interested in your promotion. This is just ridiculous. Similarly, if you have joined multiple communities (Google+) and groups (on Facebook & Linkedin etc), never drop the same self-promotion message in all the groups for the sake of publicity. Choose relevant groups and post wisely. Keep your social channels active but do not spam followers’ walls and feeds. Your target should be to target a specific audience. Unexpected over-promotion may cost you to lose your fans and followers.
- Do not Go For Just Numbers
It is good to have a huge number of fans and followers. It makes your brand authentic. But never fall for sake of just numbers. Remember, quality is better than quantity. It does not matter if you have thousands of followers but if they are not interested in your products, it is just a waste of time. On the other hand, if you have only hundreds of followers but are a targeted audience, it can be beneficial for your business. So, do not just go for numbers. With the increase in the use of fake accounts and bots, the number of fans or followers should not be your primary concern.
- Complete Your Profile Properly
You should always keep your profile complete. Make sure to use your real name and photo or logo (check Crazy Custom Logo Designs). Fill out the “About You” information. The partially completed profile looks less professional. A complete profile brings credibility and authenticity to your brand.
- Use Different Accounts For Your Personal Interest and Business
Personal life and Business are two different things. Do not mix them. Both have different audiences and your personal account and your business account serve different purposes.
- Follow the Guidelines Of the Social Channels
Every social channel has its own set of guidelines and rules. Following guidelines is one of the most important social media etiquettes. For example, communities (Google+) and groups (LinkedIn) have certain posting policies. Follow the terms of use of the social channels you are using and post accordingly.
- Avoid Spelling Mistakes and Poor Grammar
Avoid doing these mistakes as it does not look good and reduces your credibility. Before you share anything with your fans or followers, make sure to proofread it. I am using the Grammarly Chrome extension to avoid spelling mistakes and poor grammar. You can also read about it on Grammarly Reviews. Do not use many abbreviations, it may lead to misunderstanding.
- Use Hashtags Wisely
The hashtag is a good way to categorize and connect to all other posts on the same topics with the same hashtag. But do not make your every word into a hashtag. It looks bad and unprofessional. Use hashtags that are relevant to your post content. It provides greater visibility and reaches the network.
- Do Not Annoy Your Followers
Do not annoy your followers in any way. Never share the same posts again & again. Similarly, do not send continuous emails. It is annoying and it might cost you to lose your followers and even subscribers.
Also Read: A Complete Guide On Using Quora To Drive Traffic
Other Useful Social Media Etiquettes
- Do not post when you are drunk, angry, or upset.
- Remember what you share is what defines you. Be polite, positive, and encouraging. Send a thanking note if you like something or if someone helps you. Apologize when you are wrong.
- Never misbehave and let anyone misbehave on your post or network. If you find any such activity, try to solve the problem or delete the activity to avoid further issues.
- Interacts with your audience. If you see any questions or queries, write a friendly reply.
- Do not compel your network to share or retweet your posts to gain more reach. Things take time. Just because you have put time and effort into posting that does not mean it will pay you right now. Be consistent and build a reputation. You will start seeing results.
- Appreciate your social media followers. If you want to recognize someone individually, do a shout-out with your network. They will feel good and will love to be in touch with you.
- Do not say bad words about your competitors. They are doing their work and you are doing yours. Showcase your products or service features but never badmouth your competitors’ products. Maintain a good reputation online if you want to go a long way.
Read 10 Reasons You Might Be Losing Twitter Followers
These are just a few social media etiquettes that you should take care of. There are lots of other things you should keep in mind, though. What do you suggest on these or what can be added to the social media etiquette? Do share your feedback in the comment section below. I will love to read your comments.
You can connect with me on Instagram Or Quora And Linkedin as well.
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Hello Mohit,
very nice post, you have describe each point very briefly and nicely.
Proper social media etiquette should be encouraged..
excellent post .
Congratulations ! Excelent article! Thank you…
Dear Mohit,
Effective tips to maintain social media sites. Thank you for your writing. As a blogger, these are valuable for me.