I was recently asked by a Realtor publication to contribute to an article being put together on Social Media and how agents just getting started could use it effectively. After some noodling and refining, it’s pretty apparent that these are guidelines that could apply to anyone seeking another avenue to stay in touch. So here are Tony’s Guidelines for Social Media Etiquette.

1. Participate: If you are going to join a network by all means participate. Your keystrokes are your voice. It’s how people get to know you. Stunning good looks and prior reputation will not get much attention in a medium of this nature. There are superstars everywhere.
2. Play Nice: Negativity does not get much mileage in this environment. Blocking/hiding/unfollowing are so easy to do if someone is annoying.
3. Add Value:  Give more than you receive. Respect and attention/retention is given, not a given. In the end, people will communicate with and converse with those who offer value to the community.
4. Be Real:  We are all multi faceted individuals with different characteristics that attract others. Be that multifaceted person. Single focus folks don’t last. People who are all business all the time will be turned off by the community they are trying to attract. Remember, it is a SOCIAL medium.
5. Participate: Spend time, stay with it and participate regularly. Be a presence in the environment you choose to be involved in. I had a colleague at a former firm I worked with follow me on Twitter. He has double digit followers and follows a double digit number of people. Has Zero updates – i.e. no comments, no interaction. Ask yourself how much value is that agent going to get out of Twitter?
6. Be Two-Way:  Interact, reach out and touch those in the social community you are involved in. If you blog, read others related blogs and comment. (Be sure to leave your real name and web/blog link – good Google juice) If you are on Twitter, tweet in response to others tweets. Tweet your thoughts on subjects, news items. Don’t block your updates – how are others going to get to know you? On Facebook, let others see you, write on walls of friends, comment on pictures.
7. Respect Others: If you disagree with something, that’s normal, comment without flaming. Remember what you put out there builds your reputation.
8. Be Social: Act as if you are at a party or networking event. These tools are about connecting with others on a frequent and regular basis. You have been doing this for years in different mediums. Your behavior should be the same here.
9. Participate: It takes time and participation for others to get to know you and you them. There are social networks out there for just about any interest. If you join and participate, you will connect with more people. You will build your personal network. You will have fun. You will enjoy. You will get value to the degree you give value.

I cannot stress enough, if you are going to be involved with or choose to use Social Media or networks you have to be involved, you have to use it. It’s really like anything else you join: Participate and give value and it will be returned.