I was going to make this specific to one social networking environment but then I realized that there is a need to understand this for all social networking opportunities.
First: Why do I social network?
Joining a social network keeps my skills up to speed. When I can utilize things that are familiar and then move to another social network and incorporate what I know with a new environment then I am learning and using skills.
In these social networks I search for personal purpose. Generally my answer is to find that targeted audience. But sometimes the greater success is developing a "Pull Marketing" team. It is through this process that viral marketing is achieved successfully.
There is not much social going on if I join a group of dog lovers for example where the discussion is about training sessions, the types of foods, dog sweaters and creating a community dog park. If I have nothing to offer that is ok, but this is not the place to try and "Push" a product that doesn't fit the audience.
It is the wrong social group if I can not contribute or stay on topic. I need to move on and not disrupt the group.
They have a purpose and goals too. These are the things to respect in a social group, which is why backlinks are about quality not quantity. So look for a group who has something in common with what you want to achieve. The right choice leads to conversation and the search engine spiders love conversation. This type of environment generates "real time" content with common ground.
Second: How to meet goals?
Don't use the same copy in various places. A shorter description with a link to the main site or store is enough BACKLINK marketing. IF you get carried away thinking more is better JUST REMEMBER less is better. You only need a few backlinks from one location.
If I put out a complete duplication of what I have somewhere else then I appear in the online world of webcrawlers to be a link farm, which is not good. In addition, buyers become confused as to where the product is located. REMEMBER: Research says it is a three click rule. If it takes more than three clicks to get to the product or information the audience moves on.
"Pull Marketing" is the optimum of good social networking groups.
Music
In the setting of a brick and mortar store there has been enough research to support that playing music in the store will keep a shopper in the store longer.
In an elevator: playing music will keep the passenger calmer while in transition.
In a social networking group: It is annoying. This is the online world. Most of the individuals in the online world are part of the 21st Century of gadgets. Generally they have their own "toys" to keep them happy while playing with more tech savvy toys. And sometimes the audience is trying to surf in secret. That is blown if the computer starts singing, which announces to fellow workers, students and teachers that you might not be doing what they think you are doing SO keep the music out of your online social page UNLESS that is the purpose of the social group. IE: Reviewing new podcasts, videos and launched CDs. In this example the computer user would know there is going to be sound. This is ok.
A few words about Twitter:
I have eight different accounts and each is for a different audience. I really try to keep a focus on the accounts so the audience is seeing a pattern of thought. I find that Twitter is a great quick tool for getting the word out about whatever the "real time" discussion might be.
When I am in a particular account then I go through Twitter's Find People and add a few at a time. Then when it gets a little slow; I look at my followers and check who is following them. Not everyone in my followers list fits my audience but I might find one or two. I make lists of my followers so others might look at a list and find some followers too.
All eCrater store owners that are my followers are on my eCrater list. I have lists for: Etsy, Zazzle, Bonzale, Zibbet, Indies, reporters, and political citizens (those are the fighters for a cause). This is just an example of what I do with my twitter accounts. Each becomes a tool for the success I am hoping to achieve online with various businesses.
You can follow me on Twitter:
Sher2x4Landing™ - resorts, travel, events, small business
KissMyConfusion™ - eco, climate change, pets, birds, indie, reporters, political organizations
DeEclectic - fashion
GDRL - art
ShutterEyeOpen - photography, photojournalists, film
ngd2u - writers, goth, steampunk
cnjAR - news and events for NW Arkansas, SW Missouri
lvq - Entertainment Business ONLY
Now I can add to this in the future.
A comment: Social Networking for a corporation that already has brand recognition and an audience utilizes Pull Marketing in their social networking arena. Keeping the Brand audience is of concern to the larger companies and they attempt new ideas for specialized social media groups. A few have created some very outstanding social networking platforms.
