20 Ways to Say Thank You With Social Media

Posted by Ash Mashhadi

Okay, you’ve met some terrific people on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc. You want to give something back. How do you do it?

Luckily there are lots of ways you can do it. Here is how we say thank you the social media way:

ReTweet someone on Twitter
Send a “Thank you” tweet
Like someone’s Facebook Page
Like a comment they made on Facebook
Comment on their Facebook status
Recommend them either on #FollowFriday (or on any day)
Introduce them to someone they’ll like
Comment on their blog posts (hint! hint!)
Talk to them – easy via Twitter
Post something onto their Facebook wall
Include them in collective conversations
Blog about them
Offer to help them
Look for a way to help them without asking first
Give them a +1 on Google Plus
Vote up their answer on Quora
Write a recommendation for them on LinkedIn
Join their LinkedIn Group (if they have one)
Take an active part in discussions in their LinkedIn Group
Offer them the opportunity to guest on your blog

From Netiquette to Etiquette

Etiquette is essential in the social media world. Without the benefits of body language it’s easy to misconstrue the meaning of other peoples’ words. We don’t get all the normal non-verbal cues that human communication relies upon. Words that may sound perfectly friendly in your head could be interpreted as cold or even insulting. That’s why it’s all the more important to rely heavily on the rules of courtesy. Some people may consider it old-fashioned, but I think it’s essential online. Ignore it at your peril (or the peril of your online reputation).

The Next Step

What can you add to this list? Can you think of any I’ve missed out? Please share your tips: how do you thank people? Or do you think it’s unnecessary? Thanking people is part of a set of social rules that humans developed over millennia. I see no reason not to use them online. Here’s an original thought: why not try them offline too?

Ash Mashhadi

Ash is a Web Design and Social Media Specialist. He is also the founder partner at Design Inspiration. Ash is considered to be one of the area’s most prominent social media consultants. He speaks fluent Twitter for business. Ash is a respected and prolific writer; he is often asked for expert comment by the media and to write for professional publications and websites. Ash has appeared on national TV and radio. You can connect with Ash via Twitter where he is @inspirationguy