Ethics of Social Networking
Social networking is an advertising method that uses social networks to build one’s business presence on the internet. It is one of the most popular methods besides forum marketing that is available to internet users today. Places like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter among others have gone from just social interaction spaces to a part-time marketing program as well. With all this popularity, there are a few ethical issues that you will need to know in order to become successful at your social network advertising campaign.
The first important thing that you need to realize as a business owner is that when you join a social network you are joining a community. As any community in real life, your business has a place in the community but should not invade one’s privacy. If you are pushy in your marketing campaign, you will fail in your internet business.
While it is perfectly to use social networks such as MySpace to drive traffic to your site, you should not use auto friends’ software or spam the boards. Either of these will not drive traffic to your site instead, it will drive it away. Intentionally spamming will not help your social networking advertising at all. Most social networks have just recently begun weeding out these business scammers and banning them from their social network permanently. So be courteous to others feelings. Take time to meet the members before beginning to promote your product. But when you do begin advertising do it without being pushy.
You need to participate as a member to get integrity to be used toward your social networking campaign. Join communities that are closely related to your business area. Also contribute, communicate, and make friends with the community members that are truly interested in what you have to say and the product that you have to sell. This is a great ethical tip as this would be a great way to start your client list.
As you post more content on the boards beware of coming right out with a marketing campaign. For your content too effective in promoting your product it needs to be of a genuine value and interesting to the other members of the community. You also need to be careful not to mislead any of the members as they can be considered potential clients. Do not over do your titles and lure clicks from other members. Not following any of these can lead to a mistake that can ruin your social network advertising campaign and even possibly get you banned from the network.
Another great ethical practice to pay attention to is not to criticize other member’s beliefs. You need to remember that there is a real person behind the post and that they can be a potential client. Treat their posts with honesty and integrity.
Finally when posting on social networks beware of copyright laws. Study the issues of media law closely and be sure to understand them. You need to especially pay attention to the sections on an invasion of privacy, intellectual property, and copyright infringement as all of these have serious repercussions.
Social networking is a great way for you to advertise your website if done correctly. If you follow these simple codes of ethic, you will have a successful campaign.
