6 Rules for Social Media Websites
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With Delores’ recent trouble with Sphinn, I thought I’d write a quick guideline to follow for social media and social bookmarking sites. Here are six basic rules and tips for a successful social media user account.
Always Read Their Rules
Each social media website will have a different set of rules. This is a given, but sometimes I am guilty of not following this one. However, the most important rules you’ll generally find in more than one place.Pay special attention to the “rules” on the post submit page. These are most important.
Have a Profile Picture
A common thought on user profiles without pictures is that they are “spammers”. I like to keep the same picture on all of my profiles. This not only helps users recognize me, but hopefully also vote for my articles. If they liked what I submitted before, they should again.
Make “Friends”
After uploading my profile picture and updating other information, I start adding friends. Usually it’s people that I recognize. Sometimes I just add people who are voting on and submitting similar content.
Stay On-Topic
Don’t submit your posts in the wrong categories. If it’s being submitted in a certain category, make sure it’s that category.
By not following this rule it will only force moderators to adjust or remove your post. This can lead to getting banned.
Don’t Create Multiple Accounts
Many social media websites don’t allow you to have more than one account. So don’t do it. If you do, don’t link them together with the same homepage. And don’t name them similar, example, profile1, profile2, profile3, etc.
Don’t “Spam” / Submit Good Content
Social media users want quality articles to read, especially on the main page. Even some of my posts that have hit the front page haven’t received the best responses. It’s all up to opinion however. Digg users are by far the hardest and most likely to “bash” your article.
I strongly recommend NOT submitting each of your posts to the same site. It can do more harm than good.
All in all, it’s pretty easy to have a good user account standing on any social media site. Let’s recap. Read the rules, put a picture on your profile, add friends, stay on topic, create only one account, and don’t spam!
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9 Comments on this post
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sir jorge said:
i rarely use those social media things.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:01 am -
andymurd said:
Good points all, I have one more to make: learn what type of content the other users like. A hot article on Sphinn is unlikely to make it to Digg’s front page, and vice versa.
By acknowledging the interests of the community, you contribute to the signal rather than the noise. Everybody likes that.
OK, a bonus tip – don’t get mad if somebody disagrees with you. Since the early days of slashdot, trolls have tried to ellicit a response by being contrary or abusive. Ignore them, it’s only the internet.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:56 am -
deloresdefacto said:
Thanks for the props, Matthew. I do want to mention that I’ve have seen some blog services, such as WAYN state in their rules that the images used in a profile “which are obviously bogus, of celebrities, children, cartoons/animations or inanimate objects may also be deemed inappropriate.” Just an FYI because it may be the same for some social networking / link services as well.
March 24th, 2008 at 12:20 pm -
Karlonia at Internet Marketing Blog said:
This is a very good list of tips for dealing with the social media sites. It is also a good reminder that I still need to update my avatar image for some of them.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:16 pm -
P.B.Eswar said:
Yes, this is a good post with important points to remember since i am very much new to social community sites i still cant understand the word post.can u please suggest me how to post in any social sites? For instance, after becoming a member in stumbleupon, or digg, or any for that account how can i post in this sites.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:01 am -
deloresdefacto said:
P.B.-
I have installed the StumbleUpon, Delicious and Digg buttons to my toolbar. That way, when you come across a site that’s interesting, you click on the button and add it to your account.
There are widgets to add to your site that can list your social networking links as well.March 28th, 2008 at 10:37 am -
Tom Ross said:
Good tips, I like the idea of using the same picture – it helps to build up a personal brand within your community.
March 30th, 2008 at 10:32 am -
rock said:
I like this site very much. it is gives the good tips, and suggestions.It is also a good reminder that I still need to update my avatar image for some of them.
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rock
Social BookmarkingNovember 6th, 2008 at 11:47 pm -
Willie said:
More fishing poles into the internet sea I say…
Great post sir.
May 25th, 2009 at 7:48 pm