1) Think self-disclosure
I’m very tired of trying to reach 1,000+ followers inappropriately on Twitter, hoping they’ll @ me by a “That’s cool” response. I managed to get @armano's attention by tweeting about something we had in common: we both like sour stuff. All relationships online, at the core, are personal—because self-disclosure is easier online. If I met @armano on the street, would “I like sour candy” be the first thing out of my mouth? No. We’d probably talk about the weather or sports.
Moral: When you say things that strike a chord with someone personally on Twitter, trust me, they’ll tweet you back.
2) I actually read your post. Here are my thoughts.
On blogs, brands don’t try hard enough. Moreover, the PR agencies representing them don’t really know this blog editor at all, and a simple “Great post. You should check out this new product from…” is a great way to let the commenters know you’re a selfish spammer. Some might think a post with massive comments= strong opportunity to get the word out, but if you don’t read the post and the comments pertaining to the post first, you don’t know the context.
Moral: Know the context to determine if your product/service/event really suits the situation.
3) Check your motive
This really sums up the first two, but this needs a category all its own. In an effort to get ahead or standout, we act very selfish. We won’t acknowledge others in the space and we’ll only speak to the author or moderator. When I see comments or replies on Ustream or Twitter hashtag events like this, it indicates a person doesn’t want to be social; rather, they’re in it for themselves, and if applicable, their client. Moderators and blog writers can see through this and dismiss the deceptiveness by blocking you. (Trust me, it can happen)
Moral: Engage with the community you are now a part of (You didn't just hop in).
4) Listen. Welcome feedback.
Has it ever occurred to you that your subscribers or fans will give you answers to your unsaid questions as to why you’re not getting more traffic, or why this product isn’t selling as well as you thought it would the ‘beta time around’? Your community wants to hear from you, so if you’re not reaching out to them and welcoming feedback, how are they going to know if you’re actually listening and making the necessary adjustments?
Moral: Say the unsaid so you can get the answers needed
5) Now you’re ready to build a networking plan!
- Make a list of all the people you’d like to know online that are also within your professional network offline. These are the people you see at pro events and social media conferences—within your region.
- Make a list of all the people you’d like to know online that are miles away from you. These are the people that you can have a long distance relationship with by simply being an active community member on their blog, discussion forum, LinkedIn Q&A, or Twitter feed.
- Engage with your key members of your new community 2-3 times a week—whether close by or long-distance.
- Provide your community with some helpful info you’ve read about recently that pertains to what was discussed on their blogs, Twitter feed, etc. You can do this by simply commenting on their blog or e-mailing them the info. You know it will appeal, or your community will at least acknowledge-- if it pertains to what’s been on their minds lately.
- Beyond your pro network, reach out to niche-specific audiences that align with your interests and your client’s interests. Consider the steps above before making a list and making the contact.
Moral: A crowded space will bury you and it’s important to stand out by offering something the community can chew on—something that’s beneficial to all.
And that, my friends, is how people will start talking about you and your contributions to online communities appropriately.