“The Creed Official” : Rules for online (and offline)

You know how a quote from a person long dead can sometimes apply to today’s current situation, even though nothing that involves the current situation was even invented at the time of the original speech?

I had one of those moments this past week.I was volunteering at Patchwork Central last week, and every day as we read “The Creed Official” out loud, I kept thinking how appropriately it fits our online lives.

“The Creed Official”

Listen and be safe

Online LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN… it’s never all about you. Listen for feedback and ideas from your customers. Listen to what people are saying about your competitors. Listen to what people need, and develop accordingly.

 

 

Follow directions and stay with your group

This is my favorite. Most online platforms have terms of service, or directions that you must follow. Many companies don’t follow the guidelines on facbook in particular.

Be nice and respectful

Yes, if a company truly deserves to be called out, call them out, but do so with respect. As BGKahuna said, Let’s Cut People Some Slack.

Use good manners

This is one I’ve wanted to touch on for a while. If someone talks to you, it’s good manners to reply. If they say or do something nice, it’s good manners to say thank you. Many businesses using social think it’s another way to share a message with its consumers, and it is. The difference is, consumers are talking back. Are you listening and using good manners, or ignoring the people who keep you in business?

Have a good attitude

No one likes a whiner. If you’re always telling the world how bad your life is, who would want to be near you? If your employees have a poor attitude online, what does that say about you and your company? (Do you even know what they’re saying?)

Be respectful of others’ art

This goes for any type of content. Don’t plagiarize someone’s blog, use photos without credit, or disrespect someone online. First, it just makes you look bad. Second, there can be very real and serious consequences.

Keep your hands to yourself

Don’t be a creeper. I tease many friends that they are “twitter voyeurs.” By this I mean they rarely tweet, they just use twitter to get news and updates.  Don’t be creepy online.

Do your best and have fun

It doesn’t matter if you’re not great at composing tweets or blogs at first. Start small, ask for help, do your best, and have fun!

Use nice words – no cursing

I’ve seen people tweet their way out of a job because of the vulgarities of their twitter stream. I’ve seen teachers and youth leaders be poor examples to kids, with foul posts. Really, if you are trying to build your brand online, (See Branding Yourself for more on how to do that.) refrain from overly harsh language.

4 ways to Use Your Influence to Help

 

Do more than like

Like is good, but show the love

As more and more people flock to social media sites, like facebook, twittter, and youtube to get daily and in some cases hourly dose and over doses of information input, so too are businesses and not for profits following along. Go where the people are right?

As one of the people that not for profits are following to your favorite social site in hopes to get your attention, how can you use your influence to help?

Like is not enough

Ok, you band, youth group, club, church or other not for profit is on facebook and they asked you to like them. Great. But that’s not enough. Granted they’re going to have to provide good content and keep you informed. But other than just seeing it in your stream, what good does this do them?

1.  Share

If they share you share. Whether it’s a blog on the latest update, a picture of a cool event, or a link to a story written about them, share it on your platforms. And while you’re at it switch it up. If you want to truly leverage your influence, take what your NFP posted on fb and share it on twitter, or Linkedin. By mixing up the platforms you help your cause reach a greater audience both for that event or post and for greater awareness.

2. Support by attending

Was that a call to action they posted? Attend the event as a participant. If you use geolocation, check in and let people know your there and the details they need to do the same. Post pictures of you and the event on your social platforms.

3. Offer to help

Contact your NFP and ask if you can help. Sometimes one more set of hands is exactly what is needed. Offer your connections. Maybe it is an event that needs businesses to sponsor or support it. Offer to contact a few of your connections to present the opportunity.  Just as in selling, a warm introduction is always more profitable than a cold call. Don’t forget to post pictures.

4. Tell your story

Why do you support them? What did they do to win you over? If you, a family member or close friend has been impacted by a service or program from your favorite NFP, consider telling your story. Post it on your personal, or company blog. Don’t have one? Write it out anyway, and send it to them.

 

No matter how you do it, do more than like.

 

 

5 Simple Things to Rev Up Your LinkedIn in 2011

Linkedin, remember it? The social network for grown ups.  Many people often under utilize this very rich resource for business connections. Here are some quick, simple, easy ways that you can rev up your LinkedIn profile.

 

#1 Update your bio on your LinkedIn profile While reading the book Branding Yourself – How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself by Erik Deckers and Kyle Lacy, I was reminded I need to look at my LinkedIn profile. They pointed out “your bio needs to change and  update… in both written and verbal form” as your experience, skills, and accomplishments change. It’s a  new year,and  it’s a great time to reflect on your past year.

#2 Update all your current information Be sure to include any new online social platforms like a twitter account or a blog. Be sure your employer is current. Please be sure to list the e-mail that is best to contact you. I love it when I look up a professional’s e-mail on Linkedin so I can send them an important document and they have listed CurlyQ at yahoo dot com.

#3 Make sure to update your photograph Be sure to use a a professional head shot. Kyle and Eric remind us that LinkedIn is not the place to have a photo of yourself that’s unprofessional or worse yet – not have a photo at all. They compare not having your photo on Linkedin, the professional networking site, like going to a networking event with a mask on. What’s the point?

#4 Make it a point to update your connections on a regular basis After att

ending that networking event where you took your mask off, be sure to add those new connections to your LinkedIn connection.

#5 Give a recommendation Te easiest way to get a recommendation is to give one. The holiday season may be over but this is the time to be generous.

I love the way Linkedin can connect you to a variety of people all over to find common business and personal interests.  I met, via Twitter, Chris Husong. That led to our connection on other platforms like Linkedin. On Linkedin Chris Husong is a LION or Linkedin Open Networker.  Through Chris I met Clent Alexander, Owner of the San Diego Flash Professional Soccer Club. Clent had a great post today on his facebookstory about Linkedin:

“So my friend was looking for an attorney. I suggested he post a request on LinikedIn. He got a call from a guy, who knew a guy. He and the referral spoke on the phone. “Where are you located?”.  Turns out they’re in the same building, 6 suites down the hall from each other.
Conclusion: Sometimes the power of the internet can help you find someone 100 ft away!”

However you use Linkedin, to connect at home or around the globe, it’ll only work for you-

IF YOU USE IT

I’d love to hear your Linkedin story.