Happy Friday! Why not take some time today to pay it forward in your social mediasphere? Here are five ways you can do that:
- Comment on a blog. Spend a few minutes surfing some of your favorite blogs (or better than that, read some not-so-familiar blogs) and then post a comment on a post that especially resonates with you. Since the idea here is to pay it forward, the comment should be positive or constructive, but sincere. And make it meaningful — something more than, “Great post, Johnny!” (Note: I’m not purposely trolling for comments here.)
- Retweet — sincerely. On Twitter, the practice of retweeting has become a big part of the experience and has become the Twitter version of paying it forward. People retweet articles and blog posts they like, so that other members of their networks can get in on the action. But as often as many people retweet (RT) posts, I get the feeling some folks aren’t really reading the contents; they’re just forwarding the links the way your Aunt Gracie forwards emails about Microsoft money giveaways or Neiman-Marcus cookie recipes. So, don’t be one of those people. Don’t gratuitously retweet. But do retweet those posts or articles you find worthy of the act.
- Give a Facebook friend the thumbs up. Use Facebook’s “like” application to let some of your Facebook connections know you like or appreciate their status post.
- Give props. If you’re on the popular music site blip.fm and hear a song you like, give that DJ props. Better yet, reblip the tune. (Reblipping is the musical version of retweeting.)
- Send an email. Remember email? OK, technically it doesn’t fall under the social networking rubric. But still, it’s a good way to connect with some folks. How about dropping a line to someone today to congratulate that person on a job well done, or even just let that person know he or she is in your thoughts?
Higher Ed Marketing 
Good advice and instructive for all of us.
This is a great list of quick and easy-to-do methods to create a more positive experience for everyone. I like the idea of paying it forward on the internet, what an opportunity for an exponential ripple effect! I will be back to revisit your blog, you have some terrific information here.
Good posting, and as you’ve probably seen recently, people are talking about email as “the biggest social network.” Regardless of what you think about that, I thought this was a provocative take on a different approach to social network dominance…
http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2009/10/07/revealing-googles-stealth-social-network-play/