This really opens the 2-way conversation which is what social media is all about.  It takes two to have a relationship and your engagement will determine your success in online social media marketing. 

If you’ve scored an online book, product, or presentation review… interact, promptly. Stop by and express your thoughts and sincere appreciation to the journalist, producer, or enthusiastic poster for taking the time to write.   Booked for a speaking event? The same applies; visit the site to express your excitement for the upcoming event. 

Imagine this scenario, you wrote a blog that included  a note about Donald Trump’s latest book and he stopped by YOUR blog and left YOU a note?  More than likely, you’ve just become a lifelong fan who raves about his latest read to your entire network.

That’s precisely what you are doing when you engage in every opportunity for online relationships. Interacting in a hyper social online environment is also a vastly important piece to your own online public relations and will provide exponential possibilities for viral buzz and exposure.

Once you’ve exhibited your manners by interacting promptly, take the time to share the writers review or thoughts through your own social media venues or website. You can do this by selecting the “share” button that nearly all websites provide today.   Let your network know about the interaction, interview, or review.

No matter where you share, take 5 minutes to grab your online megaphone and give the person your generous attention. You’ll find others much more likely to interact with you by practicing this easy social engagement recipe for success repeatedly and without fail.

In case you need one more reason to mind your social media manners, remember, before the media engages with you, they’ll hit the search engines. Do you want them to find a gracious and generous guest that interacts with their audience and is likely to share their work? Or, a phantom?

Turning a Page for the Economy 

” We’re inundated right now with  stories about the death of publishing, the demise of the book, and the woes of the author. Print publishing is suffering, and no amount of DRM (digital-rights management, for the happily uninitiated) can bring us back…’”  

Here’s the full link: http://bethannethebookmaven.typepad.com/stilllifewithbookmaven/2009/02/tk.html

-Laura