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Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s the world around me, but I’m feeling more and more like the Mother Superior of Social Networking, catching my “novices” in acts of sinfulness. Here’s why:
A few months ago, an acquaintance “Lauren” (not her real name) emailed me with a question. “OK”, she wrote, “I’m on all these social networking sites… now what?”
I suggested she begin breaking the ice with people by saying hello or commenting on their walls. I made a big mistake in this suggestion: I assumed she knew how to break the ice with others.
I trailed her on Facebook and found myself aghast at her actions.
On people’s wall comments, she was making offers for free complimentary coaching sessions. Zero subtlety, just “Hi, nice to meet you. Wanna free coaching session?”
Eeek, my skin crawled. That’s really tacky, I thought to myself. What ever happened to getting to know each other first?
Next, I saw her make a VERY suggestive comment (which I’m sure was in good fun but didn’t play out well in print) to a male social networking contact.
My inner Mother Superior kicked in full force, wondering what could possibly be next!
I must own my part of the problem: I assumed she knew about breaking the ice… in fact I’ve assumed this all along about all of you. Now I’m atoning (a sin of omission as Mother Superior would call it) by giving you these 4 social networking ice-breaking tips so you can get to know people without making a nuisance of yourself.
1. Check out the Notes feed on Facebook.
In Facebook, click on the Notes section and check out what your friends have been posting. Look for topics that interest you and people who you’d like to get to know better. When you find an interesting topic by someone, leave a comment on their note. That will open you up to continued dialog while making you more visible. You can also leave a wall message saying how much you enjoyed that person’s note or comment.
2. Post a question in your status update.
This is a great way to spark dialog and break the ice. I’ve asked about people’s reading habits, favorite social networking sites, and even advice for technical problems. You’d be amazed how many people want to connect and dialog with you. Just write the question and see what happens!
3. Find something to compliment.
Look at the feed (activity on the site) and see if new photos or profile updates have come up. Then go to that person’s wall or photo and leave a complimentary comment. Just sign your name, no other information is needed.
4. ReTweet a post on Twitter.
When you’re on Twitter and see something especially useful, type in Retweeting @UserName and the original message or link. It will re-broadcast the Tweet to your entire network. It’s a nice act, and nothing breaks the ice better than a little generous promotion of others.
Making new contacts on social networking sites is fast and easy. But after you make the contacts, you need to invest time and patience into developing relationships. By using these ice-breaking tips, you can keep the conversation light and your visibility high while you assess the upcoming opportunities.
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Nancy Marmolejo is a PR, media, and social networking strategist who teaches women entrepreneurs how to generate more money and attention by positioning themselves in the spotlight. An award winning business owner, Nancy is frequently quoted in the areas of business, creativity, and social networking. Get Nancy’s 7 part free audio course by visiting www.VivaVisibilityBlog.com
About Nancy Marmolejo
