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One of the questions I am asked most frequently these days by clients is about how to get started using social networking as a business tool.

More specifically, they can see the appeal and are feeling pulled towards it, but are also quite nervous about the prospect of getting sucked into the social networking time-suck wormhole. Which is a really reasonable concern. I won’t deny having fallen into that wormhole a time or two before finding my bearings. Also, quite frankly, they are concerned about doing it “wrong” or looking like newbies or even worse, being perceived as inept in their initial fumblings. Again, not an unreasonable concern. Who wants to put their professional reputation on the line and end up looking like a wonk? No, me either.

Here’s what has worked well for me and what I have been telling my clients: ease into it.

One of the ways I  get comfortable in a new scenario in life is to ease myself into it. I look around a bit, observe…see what folks are doing. This helps allay my fear that I am going to be way off base and gives me some clues as to things like etiquette and social cues. The same is true with social networking online.

Social Media Plan of Action!
Just because you sign up for a Twitter account doesn’t mean you have to start Tweeting right away. Sign up for an account, mark it private, and find some folks you think are interesting and follow them. Then just sit back and pay attention. How often do they post? Too often? At what point do you find yourself dismissing them? At what point do you find you’ve become engaged? What mix of personal vs. business posts do you respond to? All of these cues can inform how you want to form your own online presence.

Start Slowly
Once you’ve spent some time observing and figuring out the do’s and don’ts, dip your toe in. Spend 10 minutes a day on it. Send your first Tweet or Facebook status update and see how it goes. If the world doesn’t stop spinning, if you didn’t break the internet, if you get no discernible reaction, try it again. Start to get into a comfortable (and time limited) rhythm. I find myself realizing a few times a day that I’ve just had a conversation or a thought that would be helpful or fun to share.

Share the Love
Also, I find it really helpful when people retweet (yes, it’s a word) resources and posts. Doing so is a great way to get in the habit of posting without having to generate 100% original content. And people will certainly be happy (and, for the most part, thankful in a demonstrative way) that you’ve passed on what they had to share.

Off you go, set up your social media account, start lurking and then share the love!!