Social media etiquette

By Frida Owinga

Social media is the in thing. A recent report shows that there are more than 1.3 million Kenyans online. Business people can use social

networking sites to build their careers, promote their business and grow their reputations.

The most popular social networking sites are Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin and Twitter. Each one of these sites is uniquely positioned and serves a particular population or purpose.

Here are tips on social media etiquette:

1. Fill out your online profiles with information about you and your business. Use your real name and photo. Your child may be adorable, but unless you are a paediatrician, use your face or company logo depending on the name of the profile.

2. Create a section on your main profile detailing who you are, who you are seeking to befriend and ask visitors to abide by that information. Everyone need not apply.

3. Offer information of value. Don’t talk about yourself or your company. Give information that can establish you as a leader in your industry.

4. Don’t approach strangers and befriend them so that you can sell to them your products or services. You will quickly lose credibility with your so-called ‘friends’.

5. Pick a screen name that represents you and your company. Avoid being ‘cute’ or ‘smart’.

6 Don’t send out requests for birthdays, invitations to play games or other time wasters for those using the site.

7 Don’t put anything on the Internet that you don’t want your future boss, current or potential clients to read.

8. Check out the people who want to follow you or be your friend by looking at their profiles.

9. Avoid posting when you’re overly tired, jet lagged, intoxicated, angry or upset.

10. Compose your posts, updates or tweets in a word processing document to counter-check grammar and spelling before you send them.

The world of online networking is new to most of us, but there is little difference in connecting with people online and offline.

The same basic tenets hold true. Trust and authenticity remain high on the list.