The same advice is true for social media. Approach the common venues such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook much as you would when you first walk into a room at a dinner party. Look around the room, see who is there, find someone with the same interests, hobbies, etc., ask about their life and then offer information. Do not begin to push your product or services to everyone the minute you walk into the room.

It is not socially acceptable in the social media world to constantly tout your own accomplishments or to sell your products and services without first building a relationship. Look for people like yourself if you are looking for a way to get started. As in real life, in social media, the old adage “give before you get” works very well. Offer information on blogs, articles, links to helpful sites, and share tons of great content before you begin to talk about you and your business. Keep the personal information and updates to a minimum; do not push your products or services right off the bat. A little promotion on you and your business is ok but if you are tweeting more than four or five times a day, you are just adding to the “noise”.