As you get increasingly involved in sites like Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus, it's important to monitor your emotions and not let them get out of hand. This is particularly important if you are using these platforms for marketing purposes. Of course this is easier said than done. After all, the whole reason you're using social media is to connect with others; to forge new online friendships with people who share your interests.


Be friendly but detached

But you really want to maintain a bit of detachment while doing this. If you don't, you could easily end up feeling hurt and upset. That's unpleasant in itself, but it could also result in you doing things that negatively impact your reputation.

And I'm not just talking about avoiding romantic infatuations, or stalker-like obsessions with celebrities you've been conversing with on Twitter -- needless to say such pitfalls are to be avoided like the plague! I mean that you should be careful of taking the actions of those with whom you've built a friendly rapport too personally.

For example, occasionally people you've been happily engaging with for a while end up unfollowing you. It can be quite a shock when you discover this. But rather than being angry with them -- or wondering what you yourself have done to deserve this -- you should take a step back and look at the big picture.

Be understanding

It may be that they don't even know they've done this -- particularly if they're very popular and active on the site. If you're following heaps of people you'll probably decide to do a follower "cull" from time to time. If you do, it's quite easy to simply not recall the interactions you've had with some of those you ultimately decide to unfollow.

Also, while executing such a cull, some users may well know who you are and still decide to call it a day. While they have appreciated their contact with you, they may have simply decided to drastically scale back to a small "A-list" of followers they rate above all others. In such a scenario they probably regret doing this but just decide to bite the bullet anyway. They can't send out apologies to everyone individually. That would take too much time.

Another thing that can be upsetting is when people who usually respond to your questions and comments stop doing so. Again, it's unlikely that this is due to them not valuing their connection with you. It's probably because they are just flat out.

I have several blogs running, along with Facebook pages and Twitter accounts for them all. I try to respond to, or at least acknowledge, all comments and questions that they attract. But there's only so much time in the day! And compared to many bloggers, I have small readerships. The big dogs must be responding to just a tiny fraction of interactions.

Just as you shouldn't be put out if you don't always get feedback, don't beat yourself up if you can't supply it when asked. You can only do so much, and most readers understand that -- or at least come to know it in time.

Don't feed the trolls

You might also attract one or more trolls. This is highly unusual in a niche like the one this blog's in. But in a more emotive field of interest such as politics, it happens a lot. Actually, in this genre it would be unusual if you didn't have a few trolls after a while.

Whatever happens, just don't let them get to you. The expression "don't feed the trolls" is well worth remembering. Your outrage is like oxygen to them. So the best policy is to not respond to them at all. But if you really have to, fire back defiantly and assertively, making sure to convey a position of emotional strength. If that's not enough to stop the harassment then block and report them.

Whatever you do, try not to respond with the same level of vile personal abuse that they hurl at you. You could end up regretting this -- and not just because they've brought you down to their level. If they're really vicious, and some are, they could report you for abusing them! Now that Twitter is trying to make itself a warmer, friendlier place this is definitely something to be mindful of.

Blogging regularly is vital if you want to establish authority in your niche. Sure, you don't have to do it every day, or even every week. But if you only write new posts once in a blue moon it's very difficult to build momentum with your blog.

So there is substantial pressure to come up with new ideas regularly. If I am finding it hard to do so there are some "tricks" I use to beat writer's block and get the words flowing again. One of the most effective is to simply get up and go for a walk.

A change is as good as a rest

I think the reason this works so well is simply that having a break from an activity is a great way to refocus the mind generally. A change is as good as a rest, as the saying goes.

Then there's the invigorating effect of exercize out in the fresh air.

But there's a less obvious benefit that I think is still powerful. Specifically, this has to do with a change of scenery. As you walk along a path you may not be consciously focusing on your surroundings. But your brain is still recording them.

While you may be mulling over ideas consciously, perhaps even talking to yourself (I know that sounds a little weird, but I do it sometimes!) another part of your brain is dealing with the visual input. It's a very different combination than when you were just sitting in front of a blank screen trying to force yourself to write. I think this is what helps “kick-start” creativity.

Walk a different route each time

With this in mind I believe it's best to vary the route you take when you do go for walks. Not only does this spark creativity on a subliminal level but you often see things you've never noticed before such as landmarks, interesting buildings and evocative scenes and events.

Some of these may be so visually interesting that they actually provoke ideas for blog posts in themselves. That's why taking your camera with you is a good idea. Actually photographing some striking scene or object is worthwhile because you can reflect upon it later. And needless to say, you'll have the perfect image to include in the blog post that results from this process.