Cell phone alarm goes off. You wake up, check your Twitter, MySpace, or Facebook, and then you head to the shower.

Social media has managed to corner at least 25% of the average user’s time daily. We connect with others in our area code, zip code, and even trending dress codes. It makes you wonder, what are you doing with your bit of real estate on the World Wide Web? Is your social media profile the best representation of the person you are today, the person you want to be tomorrow? Moreover, if you ever to meet your online contacts offline would you be everything they expected you be.

Is your social media profile the best representation of the person you are today, the person you want to be tomorrow?

For me, Social Media is an important part of my life. I set aside 3 time slots in my day just to maintain my visibility with my domestic, as well as, international contacts via the web. When you are building your brand, promoting a project, or attempting to reconnect with old friends or colleagues, your profile on popular social media should have a few key things to communicate to others the person you are today.

Side note:

I always chuckle when some protest that they are a private person or they have a private profile, Obvious Family if you don’t own the domain, your information online is never completely private. Make the system work for you, or simply remove yourself from the matrix.

My latest and greatest challenge has been offline encounters. It’s always a strange arrangement when interacting with various personalities in real-time that you’ve exchanged a note with, commented on a discussion thread, or co-sign on a status message.  When the interaction is impromptu, here’s a few tried and true ways to make sure your Social Media encounter isn’t a #FAIL.

1. Be confident! Don’t slide over to them like a parking lot assailant. Make your approach purposeful and direct, so the introductions go smoothly.
2. Do more than just ask their name. Here’s an Example, “Excuse me, are you the program director for the last gallery event at the MET?” A professional advance to a new face that references something meaningful, is more flattering than yelling out their screen name.
3. Extend your business card, invite them to a cool event your hosting, or reverse the bullhorn and ask them about their organization, business, or current projects.
4. Continually say their name during your conversation, so that it sticks.  Politely exchange emails FIRST, and let them offer their number. Respect their personal space.
5. Last but not least, don’t be chatty. If the conversation is flowing, continue on. If there’s awkward silence, bid them adieu and carry on.

Overall, chance encounters with online friends shouldn’t be gauche.  If you represent yourself well on the web, be willing to further the connection offline.  You never know where an opportunity lies in simple conversation and friendly face time!