Wouldn’t it be great if there were a list of rules to follow that were simple and clear on how and what to do for your social media marketing? Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, there are no rules for social media except one; Do Not Spam…
That single rule seems to be one of the best kept secrets from newer social media marketers as well as many that believe they are really good.
What can be considered spam?
Tagging or mentioning people in posts that are pitching or linking to your product, service, website or offer that you have not built a relationship with. On Google Plus it can also be tagging or sharing with circles directly that have not asked to be updated on your every post about yourself.
Though Google Plus and Twitter seem to be the platforms that have the highest concentration of spam tendencies, Facebook and Linkedin see their share of inbox spam messages from brand new connections or “friends” that invite you to their every event in Texas, though you live on the East coast, etc.
How can you market and promote without spamming?
A great way to think about social media marketing is that it’s a parallel universe to the real world. Would you go to a business networking event and pitch everyone you shake hands with before you even build a relationship? Of course not. You would first get to know them, etc. So think about it this way… Whatever you would do in the real world, do in your social media marketing. Whatever you wouldn’t do in the real world. don’t do in social media.
Here is a nonexclusive list that should exist within the context of how you approach social business.
1) Earn the right to discuss what you do one on one with your connections.
2) Earn the right to promote to your connections by providing selfless value in your streams and occasionally posting your marketing information in between then non-promotional content and posts. Be sure that the content you post that is not about you, is something your community is interested in.
3) Respond to and converse with your audience. You would never ignore someone in real life that introduced you to all of their business contacts or told someone about an article you told them about. Don’t ignore when it happens in social media. Thank, respond, share their content and get into conversations.
4) Social media works in real-time, so responding in real-time is crucial.
Now that we have burst your bubble about there being no social media marketing rules but one, please don’t be discouraged. Understand the ONE rule that you must follow and use these three guidelines that will help you build a framework for being effective with your social media marketing efforts without being seen as “spamming”.
Are there many other guidelines that one could follow and execute to be more and more effective with social media marketing? Indeed, there are probably tens of thousands of nuances and tips that one can learn and use. However, if you don’t follow this single rule of social media marketing, no amount of learning, tips and guidelines will ever enable you to achieve results.
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I agree that GooglePlus has been increasing with its spamming. I usually try to give the benefit of the doubt that they may not be aware that they need to uncheck the email box. However, after several requests to stop without avail, blocking or at least muting is the only resolution.
I find the invitations to communities that are not at all within my topic interests (listed on my profile) to be the most violating of social media etiquette. I have one gentleman that emails me every day to join the same community. Decline does not appear to deter his efforts.
I have those same concerns and issues on G+. Such is life in Social media :-)