"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
" -Ecclesiastes 3:1 The top social media sites I recommend are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Better Networker.
It is important to understand what it is for and what it is not.
It is not a place to place ads.
It is a place to meet people, build relationships, establish your Internet presence, and have fun.
Think of it as a party.
You don't want to be the person that goes up to people and says, "Hi! I'm David.
Give me your money!" Soon you'll be standing in the corner, ignored.
Don't focus on your business.
Build friends and relationships based on other interests, such as art, music, politics, religion, sports, hobbies, etc.
A scuba diver or painter just might be your next customers, but after they know you.
Always give valuable service or content.
Be funny or interesting, but always yourself.
Don't sell.
Remember, you're at a party.
Talk about life style, not your business or its benefits, and especially not on on Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook: Facebook is the largest of the four sites.
On Facebook you can post comments, videos, pictures, and find friends through networks of schools and employment (YUCK - GAG - NEVER AGAIN!).
You can join groups with shared interests, join discussions in the different groups, or just post short comments on your wall.
On the information page, you can tell more about yourself, your background, and your business with links to your websites, but don't go overboard.
DO NOT SPAM! You will quickly be ignored.
Add friends at a regular pace, but don't be too aggressive or Facebook will freeze your account.
Twitter: Twitter is a microblog.
With Twitter you can post short comments, quotes, and links to articles and videos in 140 characters or less.
For this reason using a URL shortener like bit.
ly is useful.
Bit.
ly also records how many clicks for each URL you post.
This can tell you what is of interests and what is not.
Remember, Twitter is NOT a classified ads site.
You will also quickly be ignored if you only post advertisements.
Post quality information and comments.
It too is a party.
Join the conversation.
The majority of posts should be related to you and your friends, not your business.
I also recommend on your bio that you post a link to your blog, but not directly to your business.
Invite people over to your house (blog) first.
LinkedIn: LinkedIn is different than Facebook and Twitter.
Here you can focus on your professional life to network with other professionals.
You can post your employment history (YUCK - GAG - NEVER AGAIN!), your resume, education, and links to your business sites.
It is more difficult to link to people, but you can join groups that can help you add contacts.
Better Networker: Better Networker is a social media site dedicated to network marketers.
While everyone is there to market their business, SPAM is not appreciated.
Here you provide quality information to help others in their business.
On your profile, as with all other social media sites, post your background and links to your website.
Ask and answer questions regarding network and Internet marketing.
Provide quality information and service.
That will draw people to you and your business.
These are the most popular social media websites for Internet marketers.
By now you should see a common theme in your marketing strategy.
Provide quality service and information.
People very quickly learn to ignore advertisements as they skim through the social media sites.
Don't make that mistake.
Show yourself as a leader who provides quality service and you will quickly build your business and on-line reputation.