Latrac Education

No one disputes the importance of Twitter, Facebook, Yelp and other social media platforms to internet home business marketing. They are necessary tools of the trade. Using them correctly is a horse of different color. Etiquette is not just for history books. It has direct application to today’s social media utilities.

Here are the 6 most important etiquette rules to avoid social media faux pas with your internet marketing campaigns:

1) Don’t ignore your competition. It’s easy to keep track of competitive measures online. Stay attuned to the activities of your competition and respond accordingly. Use sites such as TweetBerp and Google Alerts to receive auto notifications every time your competitors are mentioned online.

2) Don’t ignore what your audience is saying about you. “The customer is always right.” This adage remains true today. A single negative comment about you or your products or services can cause more damage than numerous glowing accolades. Negative commentary tends to be more contagious than positive press; it is simply human nature. If negative press should arise, respond to it right away in an upbeat, proactive manner. Correct misinformation. Explain. Offer a solution. Respond quickly.

3) Don’t argue. Your personal brand is judged not only by the fact that you are responsive to a prospect but by how you respond. Arguing, especially in public forums, is a total no-no. Remain professional at all costs and do not inject emotion into the controversy. If you make a mistake, take responsibility for it and make it right.

4) Keep the promises you make. If you make a promise on Twitter or a blog, fulfill it. Dropping the ball in public generates bad press that, again, can go viral in the worst way. It can become uncontainable because it is difficult, if not impossible, to monitor growing negative commentary which is what you will have to do to repair any damage. There are better ways to spend your time online.

5) Be efficient. Experimentation has a place in your campaign development without question. If you’re not sure where a particular site is worthwhile for your business, try it as a non-business consumer first. If your experience is positive and useful, establish your personal brand on that site. Don’t tweet just for the sake of tweeting. Make every word count on every platform. Post about things that matter to you, are revealing about who you are and are helpful to your business.

6) Always be polite. “Please” and “Thank you” are ever validating and appreciated by your prospects. Even if a matter is frustrating or challenging, deal with it in a polite, professional manner and you will never get stung.

Avoid committing social media faux pas at all costs. Your time is best spent on positive, productive maneuvers, not damage control. Emily Post has arrived in 21st century media and her rules still apply to your internet marketing efforts, perhaps now more than ever before.