pros 12 habits of successful social media

What’s the secret sauce of

Social Media?

Well, it’s not just one recipe.

But it seems the pros share some common habits.

They do these 12 things:

1. Help

It doesn’t matter whether they have 1,000 followers or 100,000, Social Media pros often help others. If it could be harnessed, the karma flying around the Twittersphere (and on G+ and Pinterest and so on) might be

sufficient to advance all humanity closer to world peace.

2. Share Fairly

The pros never steal. They don’t have to because they’ve figured out that it’s not actually content that’s king. It is the creators of content that rule the kingdom. Social media stars create amazing content. And they

also share content liberally, crediting generously as they press the words: publish, pin, or post.

3. Thank

The smoothest social media folks are also among the kindest. Just check out the Twitter streams of those with hordes of

followers eager to sop up the social savvy. Tweets from the pros often contain thanks and kind words for others.

4. Remember

To have an effective social presence, you need to be mindful of others. Social media pros remember what it was like to not know that RT stood

for retweet (or to not know what retweet meant). I think it is, in part, their own memory of feeling like a newbie that keeps the social media pros so

generous with their tips and advice.

5. Don’t Patronize

The pros don’t talk down to their audience. And they also aren’t afraid to admit if they don’t know something and need to double check before

answering. I’ve listened to more than one webinar in which presenters gave a best guess to a question. Being so comfortable with their

competence that they exude authenticity only underscores their social media chops.

6. Follow

In many, if not most cases, they follow back.

7. Have Conversations

They have a lovely way with the back and forth, but also they

know when to take it offline or move to direct messages. Social media is not

one-way or performance art. Not

when done well, anyway.

8. Make time for Social Media

They also know how hollow this comment is: “I don’t have time for social media.” So many tools help with scheduling posts, keeping track of

mentions and chats, or monitoring various aspects of social presence that makes this excuse just that—an excuse. Social media pros find ways to

find time.

9. Blog

It’s nearly impossible to be effective with, on, and around social media without blogging. This is a vital way to stay engaged with your audience

and to maintain and build a social presence. Pros blog. Period.

10. Remain Present

Sure, everyone needs to take some time off and seek downtime. Social media mavens are no

exception. But generally, the pros are present. They ask, respond,

reach out ,and chat with many others. That’s one of the ways they hone their skills. They’re out

there, doing it. They don’t fake it.

11. Show Their Personality

Personality draws followers. It’s what lures readers to blogs, viewers to webinars, and eyeballs to shared content. The

best on the Web all have a personality that pops.

12. Laugh at Themselves

We’re all learning on social media. So much is new that it’s impossible to have mastered

everything. But the most effective social media types maintain a sense of humor about it. They can, and do,

laugh at the funny things that crop up so often online. They

don’t take themselves too seriously. That’s one of the things that make them so

effective, and so fun to follow.

What do you think?

pros 12 habits of successful social media