Who poked me…and why?

If you are new to the social media scene, each and every social media experience is very different. Some, like Twitter, even seem to have a completely foreign language. This in and of itself, is enough to make you want to quit. Yet, you know it is important to be there, you just don’t know how to get past the learning curve.

Stop – there is no need to panic!

Here are some basic concepts that will help you fit in no matter what social media platform you choose to enter.

1. It’s ok to get your bearings before you start to poke people, follow people, or worse give those gifts of heavy artillery. I would have to say that the most common problem I face with those that are new to the social media scene revolves around all the ‘extras’ that go on.
2. It’s ok to set boundaries! Sometimes the impersonal aspects of being online can cause people to do things that they would never dream of doing in person. Stay true to yourself, and you will be just fine.
3. It’s ok to take it slow…actually, it is more than ok. The important part is that you stick to it and not let overwhelm keep you from learning. If you need to take it a little slower, by all means find your pace and just keep walking forward.
4. It’s ok to ask questions. If you don’t understand something – ask! I’m sure that at some point in your life you have heard that, “No question is a bad question,” and “There are probably a lot of other people with your same question.” Being in the dark will only cause you frustration.
5. It’s ok to experiment. One of my biggest fears has always been to look silly in a public situation. Well, I gave up that fear and traded it in for a brand new sense of silly. Making mistakes is part of the game and usually there is someone close by that has made the very same mistake as you.

These principles work if you are new to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or even the newest and greatest social media platform out there.

Tell you what – I’ll even give you one of my biggest secrets – Netlingo. This is a great place to go when someone types in ‘lol’ or any other obscure mix of letters. If you find you don’t know an acronym, chances are you will find it at Netlingo.

See! You will find great nuggets of information all over the place. Social media is about sharing information. Just like I shared Netlingo with you, I’m sure there is something that you know that would help me. Information is the currency of the Internet. The exchange rate just depends on how much you know and how much you need to know. Honestly, it is great system.

Yes, I know, there are many times you have seen people share either trivial information, or, well, information that would have been better off left private. These unfortunate exchanges do take place, I remind you of principle two!

When you encounter an episode of dialogue that you would rather not witness again it is perfectly acceptable to unfriend, or unfollow the person. I have not found a platform yet that notifies the person when you discontinue your connection with them.

Where do you go from here?

1. Continue to try different social media platforms, you may find that one seems easier to understand than another.
2. Remember the five principles, social media should be a fun experience and these principles will ensure that you do what is right for you.
3. Unfriend when the fit is not right, it may seem harsh, yet it is the right thing to do, and honestly most will be relieved if they even notice.

Participate in the information exchange, you will probably find that it can enrich not only your business, but your personal life as well.