Networking in the Social Media Age: Do's, Don'ts and Do I Have To?

Misty Hataway-Coné

Who Is In YOUR Network?

What is Social Media?

According to Dictionary.com, social networking is the use of social networking media throughout the use of online media that people may use to communicate and interact with each other (2012).

What Is Your Network?With 30M followers on Twitter, 25M on Facebook and 28M on Instagram, she’s cultivated a larger audience than most of the Fortune 10 companies combined.

What Is Your Network?Most of us are familiar with and use social media daily. From Facebook, to Twitter or Instagram, we all stay connected on social media.

What Is Your Network?According to Adweek.com, the average internet user has 5 social media accounts.

But Just How Many Networking Sites Are There?

According to Sitepoint.com, there are at least 20 networking sites for entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals. These include:

• Biznik• cmypitch.com• E.Factor• Ecademy• Entrepreneur

Connect

Fast Pitch

Focus

JASEzone

LinkedIn

Networking for Professionals

PartnerUp

PerfectBusiness

Plaxo

Ryze

StartupNation

Upspring

XING

Young Entrepreneur

Ziggs

Bridging Traditional Networking And Networking On Social

Media

Despite the prevalence of social media and social networking, handshakes still matter.

A Fortune 500 CEO once said that when he had to choose between two candidates with similar qualifications, he gave the position to the candidate with the better handshake. But after you shake that hand, enjoy a glass of wine, and have a good conversation, you must translate that encounter to your overall social network.

Bridging Traditional Networking And Networking On Social

Media

Do's of Social Networking1. Develop a "brand", something you're known for.

2. Commit to it. Do something each day on at least one social media site, to keep your presence active.

Do's of Social Networking3. Model good behavior and stay positive. Our online activity may feel private, or shared with only a select few, but it leaves a permanent mark. You're not anonymous and you don't want to be.

Do's of Social Networking4. Do promote your own work. Social media offers many ways to grow the reach of your business.

Don’ts of Social Networking1. Don't be fake.

2. Don't avoid other tasks.

Don’ts of Social Networking3. Don't be a know it all. Resist the urge to be a know-it-all in your posts, comments and messages.