There is no shame in wanting to improve your ROI from using social media as a marketing platform, it’s most likely your key objective but to do business within the social market you need to embrace the social culture. Social Media is about people connecting, sharing and growing with each other. It’s unlikely your audience want to think about business and work when they’re socialising on Facebook, tweeting on Twitter, or watching the latest viral on YouTube.

Users want to be informed, entertained and have something exciting to share with others. Therefore, the key to a successful social strategy is to know the rules of social media etiquette.

Rule 1
When communicating with your audience do it authentically, openly, and know the world is watching.

Rule 2
Remember, there needs to be a conversation…not a one way push.

Rule 3
Let go to gain more. Have fun with it and show your customers you’re human.

Rule 4
It’s important to understand that the participants of these tools are in charge. The more an organisation is seen to control the dialogue the less effective it will be.

Rule 5
Know what Social Media is about, what it represents and what its values are:

It is…

• Consumer Driven
• Transparent
• Engaging
• Inclusive
• Sincere

And it is not…

• Controlled
• Impersonal
• Exclusive
• Formal
• One-sided

Rule 6
Remember that user generated content is now an integral part in peoples research and decision making process. If your customers are talking about you it’s better to talk with them. This means responding to both the good and the bad.

Rule 7
Share, inform and educate. Social media audiences want to learn new things they can then discuss with their friends and followers. They do not want to be sold to or preached, so think of new and refreshing ways to get your audience to engage with your product.

Rule 8
Be passionate! If you don’t sound interested in what you’re talking about then you can’ t expect your audience to be.

Whatever your ultimate goal is from using social media, you need to establish trust with an audience for you to gain loyalty – and without a loyal audience you won’t get very far.