Back when Facebook was a wee tadpole in the Web 2.0 pond it was a GOLD MINE!

One of my favorite features, in Groups, was the ability to message every member with one message.

Before people “knew better”, we made a lot of money spamming the pants off of those groups.

It didn’t take long, though, before people got sick of that and actions were taken to prevent it.

Eventually, Facebook removed that feature completely and justifiably so.

As Web 2.0 evolved. social media had embraced a ZERO TOLERANCE policy in regard to spam.

Granted, there were still means, methods, and a few tricks but as Facebook grew into the powerhouse it is today, they got wise to the shenanigans as their audience demanded a spam-free experience.

This forced marketers to evolve… connecting and communicating became the name of the game. This sounded the death knell for many who refused to conform.

In social media, today, relationships are the name of the game. There’s an art form to creating trust with people and they can smell a rat a mile away. Hackers, scammers, and schemers have caused the masses to act with uber caution to the point of paranoia.

The good news is that those who genuinely care to serve others can THRIVE in the modern social media environment. Even through digital media, intentions are apparent and TRUTH is mandatory!

Therefore, it’s important to implement the following into your social networking routine consistently…

1.) Be GENUINE – Use current, up-to-date images and pictures that show people what you look like NOW, not 15 years ago. It might seem trivial but we live in times where it’s very easy for people to purchase software that makes them look like someone they are not. Therefore, it’s important that you use imagery that presents personality, professionalism, character, and TRUTH. If you’re going to use old images of yourself, tell people the images you’re using are from “back in the day.”

2.) Give BIG VALUE – Even today many marketers are banging their heads against the wall when it comes to free offers. The reality is that just because it’s free doesn’t mean it has value. To bait someone with a free offer and not deliver will result in little or no sales in today’s digital social economy. When you give, give people something that will get them a RESULT! Doing so creates trust and creating trust produces sales.

3.) Get VULNERABLE – I know that this word makes even the most seasoned marketers a bit squeamish. However, letting people see your human side is a great way to solidify trust with your audience. When your prospects relate to you even the toughest objections will fade into the back of their minds when they realize “Hey, this person gets me!”

4.) PRO TIP (Use Responsibly) – There’s still a way that you can reach every person in your group with one message. You may already be aware of it or have used it. If you’ve overused it you’ve probably experienced what happens in your group when people get ANNOYED by it. What are we talking about? The @everyone tag. It’s a powerful little gem with the ability to reach every member of your group via notifications. However, it must be used strategically. A good way to use it is to promote live events. Host a live event, once or twice per month, where everyone in your group is invited to connect with you, ask questions and get professional advice. When you follow tip 2, listed above, people will be less likely to buck when you use this feature. They’ll also be, more likely, to come back consistently. They won’t even mind an occasional call to action  !!

The way you behave on social media matters. Be smart in your approach and you’ll reap the rewards of cultivating a community of action-takers who love you because you genuinely love them!