5 Tips to Transform from SM Faker to SM Shaker

I awakened earlier this week not to Superstorm Sandy’s slashing roar, thank God, but to a CNN phone interview with Corey Booker. What registered impressive was the exclamation point the interviewer attached to the Newark, NJ mayor’s commitment to audience engagement. Dubbed the Mayor of Twitter for having been the first city chief to hook over 1K followers, Booker exudes Social Media swag. Massive following aside, it’s actually his through-the-roof responsiveness that’s fist bump worthy.    

Social Media expertise I don’t dare claim but as a former journalist, I know a little ‘something something’ about communications. If here to confirm what I say, Ray Charles would be inclined to orchestrate a requiem for courtesy. Blog comments, tweet responses and retweets left unacknowledged and unanswered punctuate the abandonment of manners in the digital age. Ugh, the choice not to engage is rattling and seemingly, technology’s sharp gains have dulled our communication edge. 

Believe it or not, tools billed as social are sometimes the very antithesis of. As writers, we bear responsibility for revving the conversational engine and showing a little audience love. So, who will you be on Social Media – a faker who avoids engagement like HIV or a conversation shaker like Booker?

Here are five tips to transform you from Social Media faker to Social Media shaker:

1. Check Direct Messages on Twitter regularly and respond accordingly. If a fellow Tweep has taken the time to contact, the least you can do is respond. Without reciprocation, silence sends the message to the one who initiated contact that they’re unimportant. That’s so not a good look.  
2. If a fellow Tweep initiates a #FF (Friday Follow) recommendation, don’t hesitate to acknowledge his or her kindness. Better yet, repay the #FF favor in the near future.    
3. Keep tabs on mentions and never fail to recognize Tweeps who maintain your presence on their timelines, especially when you’re not actively tweeting.  Mentions are quick draws for new followers.
4. Never take retweets or favorites for granted. Retweets and favorites indicate informational or interest value so express appreciation for the opportunity afforded to broaden your audience.      
5. Make a habit of acknowledging Tweeps who comment on blog post tweets. Of all the things that could be read, the choice was made to invest time in your written creation. The decision to indulge your words or video deserves thanks, especially when one doesn’t have to.    

Like communication discourtesy, the Social Media faker is dead. Wake up and shake it up!