Before I dive into my actual blog, I want to share some exciting news with you. Starting tomorrow, I will begin working for The Growth Partnership as their Marketing Manager. I will be launching a social media campaign/strategy for the firm and will blog about it, so 1) I hope you'll follow that blog too, and 2) I probably will not post quite as often to this blog. But don't give up on me! I want to stay connected to you and will share more information with you as I have it...
Okay, you've seen me quote Jeffrey Gitomer more than once, out of his "Little Black Book of Connections". And I'm going to do it again, because social media is all about CONNECTING. Here are a few tips he mentions in his book:
GIVE VALUE: You strengthen relationships by giving value to them - not facts about you. Get them (whoever you are trying to influence) leads or put them in front of contacts that might lead to business for them.
TELL TRUTHS: You build relationships by telling the truth even if it hurts or embarrasses you. (me: think about Covey's emotional bank account)
HAVE ANSWERS: Be a resource. Get to the point where they consider you a resource of information rather than a salesperson or just another acquaintance.
FIND LINKS: Part of the relationship building secret is to break the ice. Find something in common - a link that ties you together.
USE LINKS: Find stuff that helps them build their business, and surprise them with it.
GET PERSONAL: Use personal information in a creative, sincere way.
BE THERE: Stay in front of them without an agenda (asking for the sale). Just earn it with valuable information they can use.
BE FRIENDS: Perform acts of friendship as well as acts of business. Have fun. Do nonbusiness things with them.
Social Media, as with any Web 2.0 medium, is about user/consumer control. You can't control - nor should you even try - the content of social media, including what others are saying about you or your brand (i.e. Firm). What you can do is be proactive with tips like these, and if you do come across some negative comments, do your best to own whatever the problem is/was and try to fix it. If you succeed, not only have you regained someone's confidence (and business) but you have probably also created a positive story that this person will want to share with others.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Jeffrey Gitomers "Little Black Book of Connections" it is available on Amazon.com.
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