"Now that I am here, what do I do?"

[Diane Guercio]

Top 5 things to when joining ANY group:

1. Look around. There are always unwritten rules in any group structure. One that I would say here- and it really goes without saying, being based on social media tenets- is that we were formed to help each other out. Do you have something to add? Blog about it, and contact some members to start some buzz. Do you have a question? Ask someone who looks like they can answer it if they will blog about it if it is of general interest, or friend a member and ask.

2. Contribute. Like life itself, you get out of it what you put into it. Spend some time here, or following the twitter hashtag twitterqueens, or over on facebook at www.facebook.com/twitterqueens.

3. Go to tweetups, suggest tweetups, plan tweetups! Move your relationships off of the computer screen and into the 3-D world. I am not for one minute suggesting that face-to-face relationships are any more real, but there is this. You have met someone here, and you "click". Bring that chemistry face-to-face- it will be the easiest thing you have ever done.

4.Ask! Check the profiles- each one details the specialties of each member. Need help with marketing? Need a real estate professional? Use the forum for networking. We have some pretty knowledgeable members of the social media and marketing community here- use this as an opportunity to introduce yourself. You will NEVER see the odds better for this kind of friendship-building.

5. Write a blog post introducing yourself, including what you do for a living, what you need, and what you can give. These are featured on twitter from time to time, and keywords are picked up by google.

In summary- give within the group's rules, make friends, and make use of and contribute to the wealth of knowledge that is already present here! Welcome!

[Diane Guercio]

I remember being blown away listening to Bill Lublin's presentation in Philly when he said that you can build Whuffie (social capital or "goodwill") the first time you ASKED for a favor. It didn't seem to make sense- asking seems like an imposition- but, really, asking someone for something honors the person being asked. You are saying that above everyone else you consider them to be the best to help you.
The fiftieth time you ask, maybe not so much! Pay it forward!

[Mike Mueller]

Good stuff! Be a part.
I like "Ask".
Asking isn't a burden on the group - it's a way to become part of the group.
There are members of every group that love to help others. They can't come forward to help you if you are silent.
Be helped and you become an active member of the group.

Now that you are an active member of that group - turn the table around and look for opportunities to help others.

[Diane Guercio]

Really good point, Morriss. There is strength in numbers, and when I meet someone who I feel would be a good fit, I tell them, regardless of their occupation.

[Morriss Partee]

Don't forget Thing to Do number 6: If, once you join a new community, you look around and like what you see, then tell your friends who would fit in about it too. The more good members of a good community, the more powerful the resource becomes.