These days, much of the online marketing has to do with social networking sites like Twitter, MySpace, Facebook and others. Social media is a different type of marketing for some old school marketers, but it can really be effective not to mention quite a lot of fun most of the time. In the past few years, I’ve seen a lot of marketers really start trying to build their business using social networking sites, but one of the things I’ve noticed is that a lot of them aren’t really very social.

I know it sounds obvious, but if you’re going to join a social networking site, you need to talk to other people! Sometimes I see people post their information on a Facebook page or on Twitter, but I never see them talking to other people… this is very important! If you just want to say your part and move on, there are ways to get that article done by writing and blogging like a couple of them. But if you’re going to be on Twitter, you need to be tweeting to other marketers.

On a social networking site, the more sociable you are, the more attention you’ll get, and that’s a good thing. Also, the more social you are, the more friends you’ll probably end up having, and the more friends you have, the more people will be able to see what your business is all about.

Also, when it comes to social networking sites, you want to keep it light and fun. Sure your business is serious, but Twitter isn’t exactly the place to be serious. It really is just a fun and goofy website, so don’t take it too seriously, be social and have fun. People can tell if you’re just doing something to get people to come to your website and that’s a big turn off. So have conversations with other marketers, exchange success stories and tips and maybe just have a laugh and it will pay off. people will start to be more interested in you and your business and it will end up being a lot more fun.

So don’t be a social media hermit. Talk to people, have fun and keep your social network social!