BY BARTON HOROWITZ 

President, Relevant Public Relations LLC

NEW YORK — The No.1 rule for utilizing online social media as a business-marketing tool is: Don’t be annoying.

Communicating the benefits of doing business with your enterprise is arguably an essential component of success.

However, with the avalanche of information being distributed to users of Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms, it’s very easy for most of us to morph from a provider of useful information into an irritating self-advertising behemoth.

The way to avoid this is to share useful information with those in your social media circles, and limit ad-like content. It’s much less intimidating when a business engages online communities with beneficial advice, as opposed to aggressive sales pitches.

Most importantly, be honest. Friendships are built in much the same way. It’s a lot easier for others to appreciate the value of your business services and/or products if you’ve first established a reputation for integrity.

About Relevant Public Relations

Relevant Public Relations LLC is a New York City-based full-service multimedia public relations, e-marketing and commercial copy-writing company. The mission of Relevant Public Relations LLC is to strengthen your organization’s bottom line by clearly defining its products and/or services, emphasizing its uniqueness, building and maintaining its public image, and fueling its growth through measurable, results-producing communications strategies. For more information, call 718-682-1509, or log onto www.RelevantPR.com.