SalesHQ

Sales Tips >> Browse Articles >> Networking

How to make your social networking communities work for you and not against you!

Social networking is definitely a means in which you can network, unlike any other we have seen to date.  Sales and marketing techniques and “normal” networking programs are not as effective here, should you choose to do it the way it’s been done before, by promoting you first!  You should treat these networks like you would any potential prospect.  Would you approach a prospect, especially one you have never dealt with before, with doing nothing but talking about yourself?  Of course not!  (At least I should hope NOT!)  (Prospecting and cold calling ) Avoid talking about your business the first time you contact a friend on your social network. 

Use the same procedures and common sense practices you would when developing a relationship with a potential customer.  Start with the basics.  People buy from people they like, trust and believe, and social networks work in much the same way.  Just as you would build rapport long before you would ask a prospect to buy from you, developing rapport on a social site is crucial. 

How do we build this rapport?  Much in the same way, by asking questions.  Ask your new “friend” about themselves and their business, or what brought them to the site.  Ask them what it is they hope to gain from coming to this particular network.  There are literally thousands (and more!) of various networks,  find out what it is that interested your new friend enough  to join this particular network.  Use as many open ended questions as possible.

Attempting to stack up “friends” just to reach a “quota” or win points, stars, or other “rewards” offered by the site may get you the gold star, however, as for helping YOU and your business, it may or may NOT get you the results you desire. 

Make an effort to reply to your friends once a month and make the message count!  People are bombarded enough with spam.  Do not let your messages fall in to the spam box! 

Treat your online friends like you would your personal friends.  Just because you may never meet them personally, does not mean you won’t.  It also does not mean you won’t build a strong relationship with them.  It can be a profitable experience, and at the very least, you may learn something!

When responding to your messages, ask the respondent about their business.  This is a good time to begin to work your business into the conversation.  But remember, you are interested in them.  Keep your message about you short and to the point.  Include your website.

Eliminate spammers from your inbox and friend box.  They will only “poison” your existing and future friends, as well as you!

Treat your friends list like the gold it is!  Many are potential customers. Most can teach you something!

Do NOT stretch yourself too thin by attempting to have hundreds of sites and networks (unless you have a staff that is managing them, and then be careful not to get “lost” and become too impersonal). 

Put your energy into your most important project, site and network.  Do this with all the excellence you can muster!  Do one thing with excellence and commitment and you will be a success!  If you spread yourself too thin, you will find yourself lost and your communications will show it.  Do not become complacent or mediocre!

 Effectively use your Social Networking Site so it’s a win win situation

Always respond to your “request for friend” message.  However, this is not the place to sell your product without any rapport being built, unless you are aked to supply info about you and/or your business.

When someone comments on anything you have posted, reply, and if they are not a friend yet, invite them to be one!   Because most people will have a curiosity as to who you are and what you do, this is a great place to post a link to your website     People will also look at your website to see if YOU are a potential customer for them. 

Recently a client was bombarded with marketing ads when he accepted a friend invitation.  He was furious, as he had no interest or need in the product being sold, and had no idea who or what the company was that was flooding his mailbox, except that they were selling internet marketing packages.  There was absolutely no relationship with the sender, and obviously  the sender was merely spamming in hopes that someone would bite!  Needless to say, not only was the sender elliminated from the contact list, but the odds of him agreeing to accept them as a friend again is about zero.  He also informed all of his contacts as to what this was and not a single one accepted invites from the sender. 

Remember, spend your time wisely!  Social sites can be fun, educational and profitable, when done right!  Otherwise, they can be huge time wasters.  Make your time benefit you in the ways you need.  Have fun! Make friends!  Build connections, build your network!  Business will follow! 

 There is always the case where a friend is just exactly that, a friend, and nothing more.  And how can you go wrong with that!

MAKE it a Great Day, HAVE a Fun and Fantastic week, and remember, as Dr. Suess says, "Fun is good!"

 

---