Social media platforms such as FaceBook and Twitter are now two of the fast growing sites.  More and more people are hooked into updating their profiles, playing games, engaging with friends and family.  Who wouldn’t be engrossed?  It is easy and it is fun, but most of all it is real time.   I realized this phenomenon even further when I attended a conference on social networking in the Philippines and the statistics presented were staggering.  I was most interested when they presented something on Twitter.

1.  Build relationships not just your follower count - This is done by conversing and engaging with the people you meet on Twitter.  I find it interesting and an honor to meet wonderful and caring individuals everyday. I know their birthdays, when they became parents, when they passed an exam, simple everyday happenings that can really re-enforce community building and positive energy.

2. Take into consideration your follower’s interests-  Tweet good and useful content.  People will appreciate the things you find that are helpful and can give them the boost they need.  Remember they,  like you are humans behind the avatars.  They will listen if the information you share with them is relevant to them.

3.  Re Tweet – Re -tweeting is a sign that you appreciate another person’s tweets.  It can also mean for you to meet new people.  Just make sure you use the old version of  Re-Tweeting and not use the one that is on the web interface, as it eliminates your chance of others seeing the Tweet and the person that Tweeted it, if others were not following him or her.  Again, here you have the chance to build your network with people of the same interest as you have.

4.  Listen to your stream - Read your @replies but don’t stop there, answer back if they have questions, help if someone asks for help. Sometimes people question why they don’t get feed backs when they ask for help.  Ask yourself, do you listen and do you speak with them?

5.  Use DM properly - Don’t spam your followers with links and automated DMs.  There are so many ways you can use this function.  You can communicate on a much more personal basis with DM and you can even ask questions and do interviews too.

6. Follow back at your own will – Follow back only if you want to, there is no rule that says you need to follow back everyone who follows you.  If you want to follow everyone,  go ahead, it is your right to follow and unfollow people, no one has the right to tell you what to do.

7.  Don’t be a bully – Bullying is a no, no on Twitter.  Never force anyone to do what you ask them to do.  Just like in real life no likes a bully. Treat everyone the way you would want them to treat you.

8. Brand yourself properly - Use an avatar and fill in your bio.  People will appreciate knowing who they are speaking with.

9.  Be Yourself – The last and most important guide is just be yourself.  You do not have to be a celebrity or an expert for people to respect you.  Just be who you are in real life.