It's simple. Talk to me like I'm a human being. I'm more than an inbox, Twitter handle, or opportunity for a Facebook "Like." I'm your audience. And if we connect, there can be a meaningful exchange that's beneficial for both of us.
Smart brands today realize social media isn't just another channel. It's a new and hugely efficient collaboration machine -- a mechanism for matching talent and knowledge with those who need it.
Some brands are holding their breaths while others are diving head-first into the social media pool, hanging on for dear life to both their budgets and resources while trying to navigate the many platforms that continue to emerge.
Don't put things online that you wouldn't be comfortable seeing again one day. This may be a particularly hard lesson for people who have not entered the professional world, but hope to one day. They've grown up with technology as a trusted means of self-expression.
Although the topic of personal branding has the word "personal" right up in front, most advice still warns against sharing too much of who you are with your customers and clients.