What was it like for you when you first ventured into social media sites? Did you feel a little insecure and awkward?

Probably most people feel that way.

I remember when I was the “new kid” on the social media block and someone on Twitter would follow me back. Or even favorite or retweet one of my tweets. Each time this happened, I was so touched.

 

Another memory I have is being new to various groups on LinkedIn and feeling a little nervous about making a comment and especially nervous about starting a discussion. I felt very vulnerable and wondered what kind of response I would get.

Each of us who are active on social media was once new to the sites we now use with ease and confidence. Someone likely gave each of you a few pointers to help you learn the etiquette and style of each site and even the differences between different groups within the same site.

As part of my social media tutoring, I frequently work with individuals who are new to social media and want to learn the ropes of a particular site. In doing this, I am constantly reminded of how it feels to be the one trying to figure things out. Perhaps you find yourself in a similar position occasionally.

Here are some suggestions for how to help those new to a social media site, in case the days of being a beginner are so long ago that you can no longer remember the feeling.

 

Ways to Help the Social Media Newbie

• When someone sends you a LinkedIn connection that uses the generic invite provided by LinkedIn as a template, take a minute or two and review the person’s profile. If they look like someone you would like to know and who might be able to use your help, accept the invite. Then use the “send a message” option to write back, ask what prompted them to invite you to connect, and suggest ways you might work together.
• If someone follows you on Twitter or Pinterest, check out their profile. Even if they don’t have many followers, consider following them back to boost their confidence about using the site. You have nothing to lose by giving them some encouragement and self-assurance.
• When you find helpful tips about using a particular social media site, send that info to the newbie user via the site’s private messaging system. Include a note indicating that this information seemed useful to you and perhaps they know someone they can share it with. By taking this approach, your act will come across as a friendly gesture, rather than as a lecture or reminder that they have less experience than you.
• Invite your new cyberspace connection to join a group on LinkedIn or Facebook that you think would be of value to them.
• Comment on their discussions in these groups to encourage them to become more engaged once they join.
• Consider putting your Twitter followers who are relatively new to Twitter into a private list entitled “newbies.” Periodically check in with those folks via the list and retweet and favorite their tweets as a way to foster their Twitter participation. Don’t forget to remove names from that list every few months as your contacts move from beginner into intermediate or even expert status.

How About You

What is your approach to the social media newbie? Do you ignore them? Do you reach out a hand to help them get acclimated to the sites they join? What was your experience on various sites when you first joined them?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 50 and up, to become more comfortable using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.

She works with business owners, nonprofit organizations, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com