Five Tips from the Harte for Social Media

All cartoons are by Steve Kayser and courtesy of the illustrious Guhmshoo at www.bitstrips.com

The Need to Break a Social Media Rule

I have learned from being on Twitter that the rules of culture and etiquette, among other things, for the most part, expect a reciprocate follow to a follower. Well, I am breaking that rule ... intelligently.

Here's the thing, as more people and companies become aware of Twitter and Plurk, they don't take the time to see what the culture is like. By not taking the time to do so, they don't see that most folks on Twitter are real people with real names. And from now on I am not following them back.

Here's why. The other day, after checking out a follower's profile (to make sure they weren't a spammer, etc.), I followed them. Here's the response I received:

Ahhh ...

Here's another favorite:

Noticing a pattern?

And my all-time favorite:

What am I, just a number to you?

Today as I was going through my followers, I was greeted by all kinds of avatars (some creepy), crazy names, and one-line descriptions (if any). It was very enlightening.

Five Tips from the Harte

Here are some tips to people and companies who want to join the conversation on social media sites like Twitter, Plurk, identi.ca, etc.

• Use a name, a real name, somewhere. If you don't want to use a name, I suspect you aren't ready to engage in social media or a conversation. I can't have a conversation with "BugGurlz." (Okay, I made that up, but you know what I mean.)
• Don't use Susie234 as a name; spammers do that.
• Use a photo of yourself, not an avatar. Okay, well, I can deal with an avatar if I have other proof you are human and not a spammer (as in a real name somewhere and a description).
• Fill out the description. And not just a one-liner. ("I am a blogger.") Tell us who you are and what you are about; otherwise, why should anyone follow you?
• If you are a company, designate a real person to your Twitter/Plurk/identi.ca account and let them have a voice.

I feel at a disadvantage. You know my name, what I do, what I am interested in and all about me (or at least what I share on Twitter & Plurk). I am asking you to reciprocate. You might be a real person with whom I could have a great conversation, or perhaps a business relationship ... but we will never know.

Trust me. Being real will benefit you more than me—really.

Courtesy – Beth Harte at Expert Access

About the Author

Beth Harte is a marketing and communications professional that started her career when companies barely had e-mail—let alone websites. Experiencing Web 1.0 first hand, she also enjoyed the mad dash toward implementing integrated marketing communications and SEO/SEM.

Beth is also an adjunct professor who has taught both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Classes have included:

• Marketing in a Global Economy
• Marketing Principles and Practices
• Introduction to Public Relations
• Writing for Public Relations
• Issues in E-Commerce
• Proposal & Grant Writing
• Creating and Measuring Customer Value

Beth is currently teaching at Immaculata University. Up next: Community, Government and Global Relations and Writing for PR in the new Master's in Applied Communication program.

Being a firm believer in "walking the walk to talk the talk," Beth will be sharing tips, opinions and observations that she's experienced firsthand or picked up from some of the best marketers, communicators and social media experts in the world.