Recently, a 16 year old employee was fired from her job for writing on her Facebook wall “I’m bored at work today.” Agree with the firing or not, the reality is everything we do online is visible to the world. This young lady had to learn this the hard way.

Networking online is just like networking in person. You would never walk around at a networking event saying “this place is boring” or “buy my product”. People would shun you. Yet, for some reason when we get behind the computer screen or mobile device we feel as if we are anonymous and can say things we would never say in person. I’m going to share the two biggest etiquette rules to social media use.

Rule number one. Think very carefully about what you’re saying. Don’t say anything negative or controversial – religion or politics – if you’re using social media for your company. Never correct or criticize someone publicly. If you must let someone know they are acting inappropriately, do so in a direct message.

Rule number two. Build relationships with people. You will not make friends if you continually spam people and broadcast messages. Social media is a conversation, a dialogue. It’s not a monologue. Would you put up with listening to someone talk on and on about themselves at a networking event and never ask anything about you? No, you wouldn’t. It’s important you comment on people’s posts, reply to them, retweet their tweets (send someone’s posts out to your followers) on Twitter and thank them for doing the same for you. These are all ways to engage and endear yourself to your contacts.

Social media is a big world. Be sure you practice good etiquette so you’re not defriended, unfollowed or otherwise ostracized.

Have you heard about the little blue bird of happiness? No, this one is virtual and it’s called Twitter. This social media tool is growing by leaps and bounds and as of March 2009 had over 8 million users in the US. Is it just a passing fad? I don’t think so. As more business is conducted online people are realizing the power of social media, especially Twitter, to promote their business. To truly succeed with Twitter it’s vitally important you know the etiquette before you jump in and accidently alienate your followers. [...]