Comments on: How Not to Use a Social Networking Site

By: Indie Business

Indie Business — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:51:32 +0000

I am laughing with you, now that you mention it. Have you ever been to a pot luck and realized you didn't bring enough food, or worse, you forgot to bring anything at all? I have (not intentionally) and it's not a good feeling. I guess that's how I knew it would be such a good example to make this point.

By: Katherine@SterlingMinerals

Katherine@SterlingMinerals — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:29:44 +0000

Hi dM, I not only found this article to ring true in so many ways as the “what not to do’s” but when I read the last section on the “neverending potluck” I laughed so hard, I think I coughed up a lung. What a great analogy! Perfect, says it all. In fact I am still laughing! Keep up the Qwips!

By: Valerie Reed

Valerie Reed — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:25:59 +0000

Thanks for this post Donna! I think this ties to another post you wrote about leadership. It seems that when we create online communities we need the same leadership skills we use for our indie-businesses.

By: Donna Maria

Donna Maria — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:28:21 +0000

@Jermaine: Thanks for stopping by and sharing such a succinct truism — just be involved in the discussion and be relevant. I think we have a tendency to over-think that, so your reminder is a good one!

By: Donna Maria

Donna Maria — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:56:15 +0000

@Kelly: I’m glad you enjoyed the article. That means a lot coming from you because I respect the work you do at the soapmaking community you maintain. I do think most people mean well, but just aren’t sure how to transfer common courtesy from the physical to the virtual. It’s a process for all of us, this new social media stuff. I love meeting and interacting with people so I am finding it a whole lot of fun!

By: Jermaine Holmes

Jermaine Holmes — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:16:26 +0000

Wow, can’t believe some of the social networking tricks people play. My belief about using a social networking site is really simple: be involved in the discussion. I’ve used this plenty of times and have drawn traffic to an older blog I had. That’s the best way to use social networking: be relevant to the discussion. This wont fail!

By: Kelly Bloom

Kelly Bloom — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:33:02 +0000

Donna Maria
I loved reading this. You articulated so well the key, most common issues of running a large forum or community of any type. So many personalities, as well as levels of exposure to social media and how to effectively market… and when not to.

I find that most members mean well. As you said, when an issue is pointed out to them, they recognize the problem from the forum owners perspective and make adjustments.

By: Donna Maria

Donna Maria — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:02:16 +0000

@Valerie: I’m so glad you found the information here helpful. I am like you — if all I see is self promotion, I choose not to pay attention. I like to connect with people who bring much to the table without having to obnoxiously shout it from the roof tops. For business owners, the beauty and effectiveness of social networking likes in its subtlety.

By: Valerie Rice

Valerie Rice — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:24:39 +0000

Thanks for this article (a great Etiquette 101 for social media) ! I’m fairly new to social networking and find it interesting to learn about people in our industry through their blogs or twitter. These sites enable us to view people in a broader sense and observe what drives and inspires them. Yesterday I checked out a hi-end baby company’s Twitter feed. The two women who own it are creative, dynamic and forward thinking, but I was sorely disappointed to see that every post plugged either a sale or new products. I decided not to follow them. Thanks for the reminder that the beauty of these sites is to connect with our peers, not to overly self promote.