"I do this," and "I know that" - social media networks are ripe with bragging, selling and "regurgitating" their product or service online without building relationships, according to Bardi Toto, a branding expert, media personality, owner of Gratitude Lifestyle Magazine and author of "Thinking Upside Down, Living Rightside Up."
Toto had the idea in Nov. 2013 to create a "21-Day Social Media Gratitude Challenge" to spread the positive energy of gratitude. The Gratitude Challenge went viral overnight, changing the way many people on Twitter approached their posts and how they reached out to others.
Toto provides the following examples, for each of the big social networks, of how users can express gratitude and increase followers:
Twitter
Retweet someone's comment. Retweets not only provide great info for your network, but also recognizes someone's contribution to your twitterverse. A retweet is recognition of someone's value to you. That's a form of thanks.
It's also important to Tweet someone's article/blog post/informative essay, because they've said something you find interesting and you're recognizing it publicly.
Make sure to give public recognition via #FollowFriday (or #ff). By giving a shout out, you are showing someone you are grateful and your own followers can learn from them.
Facebook
You can comment on an update, news story or just about anything else to show your gratitude. Tell people "hey, I appreciate you putting that up." The media and businesses have promoted to "like" something on Facebook so much Toto says it has become over saturated. It takes a second to comment and goes 100 percent further.
Linkedin
The very best way to express gratitude on Linkedin? Recommend someone. It takes less than five minutes and adds weight and credibility to their profile. If a connection performs a great service for you (your mechanic, your advisor, your real estate agent), write them a recommendation.
Instagram and Pinterest
Reposting pictures, sharing, liking and following others on Instagram and Pinterest is a way to show gratitude for the information someone else has shared. Toto says Instagram and Pinterest will surpass Facebook in 2014, partly because pictures do say a thousand words and are eye candy to the consumer whether is it business to business or business to consumer.
Toto says she has not even touched on all the ways we can thank someone, express gratitude, or show appreciation on social media, but in the 21-Day Social Media #Gratitude Challenge she shows Videos and gives more ideas. To join the 21-Day Social Media Gratitude Challenge, visit https://befearlessonline.com.
