4 Beats To Building New Relationships on Social Networks

Have you ever wondered how you could possibly have more friends outside of your close friends and family?  I lived in a town of 400 people and craved new friendship and could feel that the world was a heck of a lot bigger than just where I lived.   Welcome to the world of Internet and Social Networking.

Here are 4 rules to live by in Social Networking:

Rule #1:  Treat others as you would want to be treated - even online. 

After meeting someone new it’s always nice to introduce yourself, ask a few questions, or give them a quick thankyou for the friendship or follow.  Treat them with kind respect and maybe even give away a “warm fuzzy” or something for “free” like an ebook or access to your monthly newsletter.  Remember, first impressions are lasting. 

Rule #2:  Keep good & valuable updates.

Not only is updating a good informative way for people to get to know you, but it’s also a great way to spill some secrets that you’d like to share with your audience.  ‘Valuable’ means that whatever information you are sharing adds value to another’s business, education,  or life in some way.  For example, there’s a difference between sharing how late you woke up compared to sharing a website that explains how and where you could save on a Christmas tree.  Non-valuable and valuable updates…do both, but in moderation.

Rule #3:  Actually visit with other people.

Meaning, do not just keep updates on your own profile, but actually visit other people’s profiles and leave comments and read their writings or watch their videos.  Better to give than receive…  It takes two to tango.  It’s hard to keep friends if you are only one-sided.  Once, you start giving more - you’ll start receiving more.

Rule #4:  Take it slow.

Life is about relationships.  Build them and nurish them.  Think of it as baking a cake.  Add the ingrediants slowly and mix them, bake it, and take a good long look at it.  If you are in the money-making business, the moo-la is like the icing , only it comes into play after the cake is made. 

The money becomes more meaningful when there is a relationship backing it up.  Not only that, friendships can last a lifetime - money is just paper that buys material things that you can’t take with you when you die.

Remember the golden rule and you’ll do just fine.  Be social and be helpful on social network sites.  Think of people first and money last.  You’ll get a lot further in life if you do.