Here are some things you just shouldn't do while conducting your business in social medias.
Chapter three coming soon...
~Stephanie
- Don’t join 50 or more groups just to post the same self-promotional message in all of them, and then leave. Come on, that’s just rude. Remember to check the rules of the group and be respectful to the members.
- Don’t get yourself known as being spammy! Over posting self-promotional ads on your business and or personal profiles just makes you look very unprofessional. Less is more and truly it’s all in consistency, poise and good literature. Here's a good thing to remember “Say it without selling it”.
- Do not post your self-promotional add 5 mins or right on top of another individual selling the same brand. Really? Let’s give some curtsy. Don’t let yourself look bad for not paying attention to what’s going on in the group. Find a connection to the group, participate in the group. The benefits to these groups are meeting people and building relationships. (By the way did you check the rules of the group you’re in before posting that ad?)
- Don't POACH! Do not comment your business link in a conversation currently happening with another of the same brand individual who is already helping a said client. Meaning, if someone in a group asks who sell’s “la te da” and someone reply’s stating they do and that they are there to help, don’t pounce in on that same conversation! If the brand individual cannot help the client, I’m sure they will notate that in the conversation. This in my opinion is the worst tactic I have seen amongst direct sales individuals, it’s sick and it truly makes people look like vultures.
- Part two of Don't Pouch! Do not private message the individual after knowing that they have already been helped by undercutting or offering a special deal. That’s just down right stealing, making you look ruthless.
- Don’t talk down on another brand similar to your very own! Who knows you may find yourself selling that brand someday? I don’t know, it’s just an example. Really though, talking bad about another brand or company is just wrong and makes you look uneducated with direct sales.
- Don’t tag someone with out there permission first! Tagging people in photos is a great way to expose you and your business to their friends but please, always check with the person before you tag them.
- Don’t post your business link on another individual’s profile or business page! For goodness sakes, why would you do that? Posting your business link or business information on someone else page is just not good business ethics. There’s that word! Ethics, remember the definition? Asking someone to go “like” your business page, tossing out a recruiting or sales pitch is a big just don’t do. You can find a more creative way to share your business or opportunity with someone, usually that entails a private message or a lunch in. My suggestion would be, save it for when a relationship is formed.
- Don’t promote more than one brand in a single post. Meaning, if you are involved in more than one brand DO NOT, post both brands in the same post. This is usually against brand policies and procedures. If you are unsure, find a good time to read your p&p’s! Again, don’t make yourself look unaware of your business policies. This is a mistake you do not want to make when branding yourself on social media.
- Don’t email or private message someone with a self-promotional ad. It's good practice to email the individual asking them first if they would be interested in learning about your business or the opportunity. That was easy, right?
- This one is for Instagram. Don’t comment on someone’s picture “follow for a follow”, come on that just looks needy doesn’t it? (Shaking my head right now)
- Another one for Instagram. Don't post your pitch on others photo's unless you ask them first.
- Do not copy and paste other peoples stuff! Unless of course you have asked the individual if you can do so, otherwise this just makes you look lazy about your business.Come on, you can get creative - it's called passion and desire, share that with your clients!
- Do not use desperate advertising script. A good example of one is "I have been challenged". Yes these methods can work, but might make you look desperate for business. If you feel the need to use them, use them in moderation.
- Don’t let your Twitter account post to your Facebook, the other way around is OK to do. Don’t ask me why, I'm just advised that its not a good idea.
- Don't invite everyone on your Facebook list to your new group. I think it's best to just ask people first, adding your entire friends list would be a waste of your time and efforts because all don't have the same interest as you do.
- Don’t complain! Believe me, it doesn’t give you any class to just complain.
- Don’t send mass messages! You will drive someone crazy with notifications, because for everyone who replies a notification will be generated for everyone. I think it’s just rude, and not very personable.
- Don’t post multiple posts in a short time frame. Space them out, maybe every 3 and half 4 hours apart. Also try to limit your posts to about 3 – 4 a day.
- Don’t get into an argument: A difference of opinion is OK; a full-blown argument is definitely taboo.
- Ask before you pitch: When meeting new individuals online, and in some cases even someone you already know its respectful to ask the individual if they are working with someone already in your brand. You just don't know and their best friend might sell what you sell and then you might become a turn off if you try and pitch your business on them.
Chapter three coming soon...
~Stephanie