To start look upon a social network as a networking event you are attending. You meet people, introduce yourself, have short conversations, ask questions, introduce them to other people. It’s the same process in a social networking site.

You join, introduce yourself, find people with similiar interests, ask them about their interests. You ask them about their business. You comment about what you’re doing in your business. It’s all very natural.

In fact, many people who otherwise have a hard time marketing online because they are not comfortable with the “hard sell” find social networking very comfortable.

Don’t make the mistake of marketing directly on social network sites. This is not the right way to use the social sites. Though an Internet Marketer may not be technically spamming, trying to directly market themselves or their products will not get any decent results. Instead use social networking sites as they are meant to be used: for social networking. For meeting people and conversing with them.

That sounds really basic, right? Of course you use social networking sites for social networking. Right? But how many Internet Marketers actually do this? Not very many.

Using social networking the right way means that you only use these sites to connect with people. Obviously you connect with people who are interested in the niche that you are marketing, but all you want to do is connect with them. Make that your goal. Speak with people, help people, become friends with people.

Then, when people see you as a friend and as someone they respect, they just might ask you what you do and then you can tell them. Still, you don’t want to make any hard sells. You don’t even want to come right out and try to sell to them. Instead, simply direct them to your site or to your blog. Give them the choice of whether or not they want to go there. And when they do visit, you’ll be selling to them without even using the social networking site.

Do you see the difference? Simply get to know people on the social networking sites. Establish yourself as someone who is a nice person and an expert in your niche. Socialize as much as possible.

Mix your marketing messages in with your social messages. For example, when working on an upcoming product, mention it in your conversation. You can even ask people for their questions about your topic, their opinion on a graphic, or where they would suggest you list your upcoming product. Just make it a part of your natural interaction.

Using social networking sites the right way is actually a very easy to accomplish. All you have to do is get to know people as you would in a face-to-face environment. Then talk with them as you would if you were at a seminar or party together. Ask questions, answer questions, make comments. It’s all part of the socialization and a very natural method of marketing.

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Dr. Jeanette Cates is an Internet strategist who works with new online business owners who are ready to create Online Success. She shares her 10 Steps to Online Success in a free video at http://OnlineSuccessIncubator.com