When it comes to the various social media platforms, a common question I am often asked is whom to connect with? Here are my recommendations:

• Anyone requesting to connect with you who has initiated such request. However, they must be genuine and credible. A quick look at their profile should help determine such.
• Clients.
• Past clients.
• Prospective clients.
• Executives in organizations.
• Journalists.
• Colleagues and professional business acquaintances.
• Interesting individuals in groups you belong to and others asking and answering questions.
• Popular bloggers and thought leaders.
• Competitors.

Years ago when Chad first started to use Facebook, he asked this question on his Facebook wall: “Is anyone seriously reading or even paying attention to these silly status messages?” A few minutes later, his nephew from Australia replied: “That is what we live for!” Although probably a humorous but sad commentary of what may epitomize the trivial interest level of Facebook members, it also made us wonder, could it be that some are looking for quick, stimulating interesting and provocative ideas to interact with or reflect upon or is it possible that they have nothing better to do? Let us share with you some conceptual differences between such posts and ours. Here is a random and quick sample of some of the posts on our Facebook walls today and please keep in mind that these are from entrepreneurs and service providers:

• Thinking of taking surfing lessons later this week. Been watching them and I think I can do it!
• Eating healthy, went for a brisk walk.
• Missed my flight this morning for the first time in about 9 years..
• Oooommm …. “I love my life.” “I love my life.” “I LOVE MY LIFE!” Repeat this all day long to yourself & out loud to others. Wishing you a peacefully & delightfully glorious Tuesday.
• Do something amazing today!
• This quote hit me between the eyes so I have to share it…
• “He that would live in peace and at ease, must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees.” – Benjamin Franklin
• View from my coaching room – Just counted 19 bunnies!
• Marketing contest is underway. The votes are fascinating. I love seeing the numbers and what people think. Check out my blog or search on FB.

On the other hand, here is a quick sample of some of the posts from Chad Barr and Alan Weiss:

• Language controls discussions, discussions control relationships, relationships control business. Watch your language. Below is an example of how this thought has stated to generate a discussion.
• Confront, don’t enable, poor behavior: “You’ve cancelled 3 meetings at the last minute. I can’t work with you if you do that.”
• Effective Podcasting. Ever wonder? Listen now: http://bit.ly/qq5eKt
• In first 2 minutes of your speech, audience determines to what extent they’ll listen to the rest.
• Changing Your Small Talk to Big talk http://bit.ly/n5VG3H
• Requisites for newcomer to consulting: High self-esteem, six months of expenses in bank.
• How to Handle Objections: http://t.co/qFtm3XZ
• Requisites for veterans in consulting: Building brand, becoming IP, thinking big.
• Viral marketing incorporates exponential power by leveraging the web, people & your outstanding content
• How easy is it to contact you? Just had to call a colleague but no phone # on his site or email signature!
• How frequently do you have something new to say? Increase your success by saying something unique & often.

Our recommendation is that you ought to consider how unique, qualitative and provocative your posts are. Notice also our incorporation of powerful hyperlinks to the proper landing pages on our sites. And finally, if you are attempting to strengthen your thought leader position, why not demonstrate original thoughts and quote yourself and not others.

This is an excerpt from my new and upcoming book Million Dollar Web Presence - Leverage technology to build your brand and transform your business, which I am coauthoring with Dr. Alan Weiss and which will be published by Entrepreneur Press.

© Chad Barr 2011. All rights reserved

I have recently received the catalog from Johnston & Murphy which does have some nice selections I must admit. What also caught my attention was actually the back cover which I scanned below. Notice how they promote their page on facebook with the enticement of finding exclusive offers and news.

Are you leveraging the various aspects of social media such as facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and others to communicate with your clients?  You should.

Are you providing exclusive offers and news with these social media tools? You should.

Are you paying attention and taking notes of what others and your competitors are doing with social media and beyond? You should.

Are you offering your own genuine value by exploiting social media concepts? You should.

Here is Chad’s definition of social media:

The connection of people online to explore mutual interests, share ideas, wisdom and expertise, build relationships, have fun, provide and solicit answers to questions and conduct business.