Social Netsharing Instead of Networking
by Kellyann Zuzulo
When it comes to social networking, try sharing it instead of working it. Whether your "brand" is a book, a blog, or a business, social netsharing means reaching outside of your virtual self and acknowledging others you find interesting or informative. This means retweet, share, like, comment, review, and recommend.
It sounds like a lot of work, doesn't it? Well, it's not. Here's a good formula for spreading kindness on the internet:
All of these actions together, will take you maybe a total of 30 minutes over the course of a month, and that includes scanning the articles before endorsing them. Before you get started on this journey, choose your focus and stick with it. This is your business. Since I'm an author of paranormal romance, my interests range across fiction, publishing, romance, book review sites, author websites, paranormal sites, grammar tips, writing workshops. Don't go out there without a focus.
Since I mentioned StumbleUpon, I'll point out that this service, along with Reddit and Tumblr, are great resources to share the love. You should always check the "share" button at the bottom of blogs or articles that you enjoy. It's a very simple matter to click on a share button and spread the word. You should definitely make sure you have these buttons on your own blog. And when you post a blog, make sure to add it yourself to Reddit or StumbleUpon. That's not tooting your own horn, that's just being smart.
Meanwhile, there are blog services like Wordpress that function as their own social communities. I'm familiar with Wordpress because marketing maven Lisa Pietsch just transferred my website to this free blog service and the results have been phenomenal. I've increased my traffic 100%. And that's literal, not virtual. Wordpress allows you to surf within the blog community and like or follow other blogs you find interesting. Wordpress bloggers will do the same for you.
Why are you doing all this? Well, for one, it's nice. Kindness is not difficult and the rewards are great. But I'm not talking about rewards in heaven. Every time you interact on social networks, you're increasing your exposure. Obviously, positive interaction garners a better reputation than negative interaction. What your mother taught you in the real world also applies to the virtual world: If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything.
I originally intended to write a blog about "One Hand Washes the Other." But that's not the message. You don't acknowledge another because you want them to acknowledge you. That's cheap. Like, retweet, and share if you truly appreciate what you read.Ultimately, the good vibrations will reach back to you. And don't get bent out of shape if someone doesn't immediately like you because you like them. This is not grade school. You are making this effort because you are cultivating a professional persona in your field. Netshare with confidence.
And you know what? You'll feel better.
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless."
-- Mother Teresa
It sounds like a lot of work, doesn't it? Well, it's not. Here's a good formula for spreading kindness on the internet:
- Retweet a minimum of three times a day.
- Like Facebook friends or pages five times a week.
- Share a friend's post on Facebook to your page once a week.
- Comment on blogs you already follow or "stumble upon" twice a week.
- Write a book review on Amazon, Nook, or sites like Goodreads once a month.
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| Tweet kindness. |
Since I mentioned StumbleUpon, I'll point out that this service, along with Reddit and Tumblr, are great resources to share the love. You should always check the "share" button at the bottom of blogs or articles that you enjoy. It's a very simple matter to click on a share button and spread the word. You should definitely make sure you have these buttons on your own blog. And when you post a blog, make sure to add it yourself to Reddit or StumbleUpon. That's not tooting your own horn, that's just being smart.
Meanwhile, there are blog services like Wordpress that function as their own social communities. I'm familiar with Wordpress because marketing maven Lisa Pietsch just transferred my website to this free blog service and the results have been phenomenal. I've increased my traffic 100%. And that's literal, not virtual. Wordpress allows you to surf within the blog community and like or follow other blogs you find interesting. Wordpress bloggers will do the same for you.
Why are you doing all this? Well, for one, it's nice. Kindness is not difficult and the rewards are great. But I'm not talking about rewards in heaven. Every time you interact on social networks, you're increasing your exposure. Obviously, positive interaction garners a better reputation than negative interaction. What your mother taught you in the real world also applies to the virtual world: If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything.
I originally intended to write a blog about "One Hand Washes the Other." But that's not the message. You don't acknowledge another because you want them to acknowledge you. That's cheap. Like, retweet, and share if you truly appreciate what you read.Ultimately, the good vibrations will reach back to you. And don't get bent out of shape if someone doesn't immediately like you because you like them. This is not grade school. You are making this effort because you are cultivating a professional persona in your field. Netshare with confidence.
And you know what? You'll feel better.
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless."
-- Mother Teresa
Best Wishes,
What Would You Wish For?
THE GENIE IGNITES now available for your sharing pleasure.
perfect quote to end your article with -- "Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless." -- LOVE that message xx thanks for sharing today!
ReplyDeleteMe, too, JoAnne. I love the sentiment of that quote. It's so true!
Deletethanks for stopping by,
Kellyann
As a newish blogger I started this way, sharing others work as well as my own in hopes that others would return the favour/karma.
ReplyDeleteReally great post for those experienced or new social to networking
Murissa
Thanks, Murissa! And I also find that besides the bonus of getting my own work shared at times, I'm also making new friends.
DeleteBest Wishes,
Kellyann
This is a great reminder that social networking should feel like fun, and if it doesn't, it's worth it to find ways to make it fun. Social networking has made the world a smaller place for me as I've gained friends around the world.
ReplyDeleteYes! Fun and friendly, Julia. That's what makes all the social networking worthwhile. And I know I'm surfing every day anyway to find new and interesting tidbits that I may or may not use in my writing. It's so easy to click an acknowledgment. Sort of like a waving at a friend in the real world.
ReplyDelete