When you’re new to the internet, it’s difficult to know what you should and shouldn’t do. In our daily lives the rules of etiquette are a little easier to understand; after all we deal with them each and everyday. However, the internet may seem a whole different world to someone just starting out.

If you’re new to the nets, we have some great netiquette tips to help you navigate your way through this whole new experience.

The ability to influence and persuade others is a highly coveted skill. When you can accomplish it, you’re able to build your business quickly, you’re able to work better with others and you’re able to attain your goals with less struggle. The good news is that influencing and persuading others is actually less complicated than you may think. Let’s take a look at how to do it.

#1 – Empathize

When you’re speaking to someone face to face, it’s easy to understand what they’re saying. After all, we don’t only speak with our mouths; we actually communicate using our bodies too. When face to face, you can read someone’s hand gestures, body language, tone of voice and facial expressions. All of this makes it very easy to understand what the person is saying.

Online it’s a whole different ballgame. When you’re communicating with someone via email, forums or even webcasts it’s not always so easy. You can’t after all read any of the above mentioned expressions.

It’s been said that “no man is an island” – this couldn’t be more true when it comes to working online. Particularly when you’re working from home; it’s very easy to get into a “lone worker” mentality. Avoid this by using our networking tips to help you expand your network.

#1 – Build a support system. Find others in your field or work and build up a support system. These people will not only understand your business but they’ll also be able to support you in a number of ways, such as sending new business referrals your way or recommending a great service provider. Of course, you’ll also want to help them in return.

At this point, most people have heard of social networking sites such as Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, and a host of other sites. They have been accepted as a great way to connect with friends and as a business networking platform.

But if you want to use social networking sites to propel your business to the next level, your best bet is a lesser known site called LinkedIn. It’s a social networking site that is designed just for business-minded individuals like you who don’t want to be bothered with all the useless frills and apps that come with other networking sites.

Chat Groups & Discussion Forums

Every web surfer sooner or later ends up in a chat room or a newsgroup or on a discussion board. Communicating on the web is different than communicating with people in person. No one can see your facial expressions, or hear the tone of your voice. Learning proper netiquette is a good way to help you network effectively with your fellow webmasters while getting your point across the way you intended it. Be sure to check out the Do’s and Don’ts for more Netiquette tips.

Lurking

Some people will label you no matter what your intentions are, but the majority of webmasters reading the boards will judge unknown, known, and newer webmasters by how they behave on the boards — both in their writing and how they choose to post.

Like many things in life it isn’t always what you say, but when you say it, where and how. After all, if webmasters haven’t done business with you, corresponded via ICQ/IRC, met you in person, or talked to you in on the phone, then what other way can they determine if you are someone they might want to do business with?

by TDavid of http://www.tdscripts.com/

Ever see a post like the following: “If have a script you could use and you do design work. Can we make a deal?”

Here’s a concept that is almost as old as time and works as well on the Internet as offline. Let’s say you run a website and would love to get a reciprocal link on a major link site. Instead of submitting the link and getting turned down or dealing with the myriad of restrictions most sites put up, maybe you can look at what “else” you can bring to the relationship to get a foot in the door.