Networking in the social media-centered world

I always find it funny when I add friends on Facebook or accept a friend request and then I can see the person's friends, compare mutual friends and even add some of their friends.  It really puts the seven degrees of separation into perspective--forget seven, in many cases you can find people through one degree of separation through social media.


Recently, I've started using social media, namely Facebook, for business purposes (I've been using Linkedin and Twitter too).  I've connected with new contacts whom I've actually met in person and I've started listing my blog entries as my status.  I was surprised to see comments and likes from people I hadn't spoken to in years.  It's awesome really.

I am curious about social media networking etiquette.  Does it exist?  For example, I think if you're going to connect with friends of friends whom you have never met before, should you ask the mutual friend to make the introduction, or at least give him/her a heads up?  I think maybe yes.  I also believe you should limit messages to new contacts to just a few lines and save the witty banter/pitch for a personal email once you have the new friend's email--think of it as an elevator pitch.  Thoughts?  Finally, I think if you don't hear back from someone after you've added them three months ago, expect that they don't want to be bothered--this goes for friend requests you've sent and messages sent too (3 months, 3 tries, I like things in 3s).  Agreed?  I'm definitely a "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again" kind of person, but you also sometimes have to get the hint.  I'm interested to hear what others think.

It's a tricky virtual world we're living in, but some of the same rules seem to apply when it comes to networking.  Knocking on doors is like sending friend requests, sometimes we get ignored for one reason or another.  On the other hand, you never know who you might connect with and the possible partnerships that lay ahead, so it's worth a click to see what opportunities may lay ahead.  So, I'm going to keep typing away as I launch my new business...watch your inboxes and walls.