Being There When it Counts with Rick ItzkowichThere are plenty of people who think social networking (SN) is a major waste of time, and truth be told, for many of these people it’s a fact. The time they spend social networking has very little payoff for their businesses. In reality this has more to do with "the way" they participate in social networking, rather than with social networking itself.
Many people think that SN is about the built-in tools and technology. I often get asked questions about which networks to join, or whether one should post to multiple sites using services such as Pingfm.com, etc.
The fact of the matter is -- social networking is all about building relationships through conversations that create trust. The premise is: if you build relationships and trust; profits will follow. The Internet provides us with the tools to help us build the relationships. Yet, it’s the people who build relationships not the tools. The sole purpose of this article is to help you focus on being human. By doing so, you’ll do just fine in social networking.
Starting conversations is the easy part. Every SN site makes it very easy for people to start talking with one another. Whether you invite someone to connect with you (LinkedIn), be your friend (Facebook) or you decide to follow someone (Twitter), you are able to start hundreds of conversations with the click of your mouse. Plus, you’ll have others doing the same to and for you.
However, these conversation starters will not lead towards building the relationship unless they continue. And in order for the conversations to continue, you must have a strategy – and some tools.
To use an analogy, think of playing tennis with someone. You must hit the ball back and forth for it to be any fun. Social networking is the same. You must engage people to continue their conversations with you and vice versa. So how do you go about doing this?
One of the ways to continue conversations is by having a "give to gain" mindset. You must be willing to help or give something of value to benefit others. When you do this, others will want to interact with you.
Here are three proven tactics to put this "give to gain" strategy for building relationships into action:
1. Act like a host.
Imagine arriving at a party where you don’t know anyone other than the person who invited you – and they are not even there yet! As you walk in, you’re apprehensive since you’re about to be in a setting with a lot of strangers. Imagine what a relief it is when someone walks up to you, introduces himself/herself to you and makes you feel welcome. They tell you a few important things like where the refreshments/restrooms are, and they also take the time to introduce you to one or two others to ensure that you are not alone. Is this someone you would want to get to know better?
The same is true in social networking. Joining a new online community or group inside of a community can be daunting. So when someone welcomes you and helps you get started, it something you appreciate. I know this has been true for me. Many SN sites have some feature where you can see who has recently joined the community. By acting like a host and welcoming new members, you are providing a very valuable service to both the new members as well as the SN community as a whole.
2. Invite people to connect with you.
Once you get the conversation started, the next step is to select the people that would add value to your network and invite them to join. After you identify a person, read their profile and find something that you have in common or that you find interesting
about them. Be sure you comment on this when you invite them. This will make your invitation much more personal. Once you are connected, it is time to go to the next step.
3. Pay it forward.
My wife is from Sweden. In her country it's very common for people who visit other people's homes to always bring a gift. This custom is not about gifts per se. It is about expressing gratitude. If someone is inviting you to their home, you express your gratitude by bringing a gift.
In order to apply this mutual hospitality mindset to SN, after I add people to my network or vice versa, I offer them a gift. Now, this step is a little tricky – especially in the early stages of the relationship. The reason being is that often salespeople use gifts as a sales tactic, and people are wary of these kinds of gifts.
The solution to this is to avoid offering gifts that are directly connected to your product or service. For example, if you are a massage therapist, you should refrain from offering a free massage. Or if you are a printer, avoid offering things like 250 free business cards.
I offer two gifts that meet the above criteria. One is a PDF eBook that includes useful articles to help the person with social networking. The other is a subscription to QuoteActions - an email product that delivers inspiring or motivational quotes with an action designed to brighten their day.
Since neither of these "gifts" are directly related to my core business of personal development seminars, people are, for the most part, very open and appreciative of my offering.
Another important element is -- when I first offer the gift, I ask them to respond to me if they would like to receive it. While I could include the gifts in my email, I have found that having them respond to me that they want it is much more effective. It is the equivalent of having a double opt-in system with emails.
To summarize -- social networking is about building relationships through give and take and conversations. SN sites are vehicles for us to create these positive interactions. And, remember as you meet and greet through the variety of SN options available to you, focus on being human. By doing so, you’ll find social networking is a good use of your time!
This Month’s QuoteAction is by College Basketball Coach, John Wooden
"You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
Your action for today is to do something beneficial for someone in your network without them finding out you did it.
Enjoy an Extraordinary Month!
Click *here* to find out more about QuoteActions and some of the other innovative products and services offered by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER.
As the creator of the QuoteActions, a unique relationship building system, Rick Itzkowich finds his articles, podcasts and blog messages regarding keeping your brand "top of mind" in high demand. His latest eBook, Social Networking for Business Profits, uses cost-effective follow up strategies. Rick is also the Co-founder and Vice President of Productive Learning & Leisure, a personal development training company for corporations and individuals. Rick can be reached at rick@productivelearning.com.
For more about Rick Itzkowich, please click here.
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9 comments:
Rick - What you say makes a lot of sense, but I haven't figured out where to find the TIME to spend on social networking sites.
Plus, some of them totally confuse me. Facebook, for instance. I have no clue what I'm supposed to do when I get there!
Part of my trouble is being so non-techie that much of the language might as well be Chinese for all I understand. How does one follow instructions when was has no idea what they're saying?
Oh well, I keep plugging away at it. Meanwhile, I enjoy your quote actions and I thank you for them.
One more thing - why did I do what you asked in your e-mail? Because your quote actions have made me feel like I know you and like you.
Therefore, glad to take a minute and fulfill your request.
Guess that proves that what you've said here is true!
great piece Rick.
I liked your article, acting as a host really rings true helping others feel comfortable helps me relax and feel comfortable. I think for those of us who aren't naturally outgoing having a plan is a great concept.
Fabulous article Rick. Thank you.
The platforms do not make you successful with social media as much as having a pen does not make you Oscar Wilde.
Using a pen with effect - now that's different.
Much as using the platforms with effect, such as creating conversations and networks or even within networks.
N
Rick, I enjoyed your article and I wish to invest more of my effort in your Quote/Actions program/gift. Two of my clients have recently emailed me that they enjoy the Q/As and are willing to share it with others. Thanks for introducing me to Q/As.
Al Burnham
Your article hit the right aim, Rick. I always keep in my mind three key principles of life: be a man of value, and success will find you itself; it is a long time required to build trustworthy and valuable relationships, and it's just work of a moment to break them; learn to give and share, and it will revert to you doubled.
Good stuff, as usual Rick. My response to the article's initial question of "Is social networking a waste of time" is no.... and yes.
If you know how to spend your time using the social media tools that are available and avoid the ones that are time killers, you can have a cost-effective marketing tool. Right now, I'm putting focus back on my blog after drifting from it this year as I experimented with all the fun sites out there. It helps me to have a central site where I can amass everything and then use it to feed the other social networking sites.
Also, I get more from other people's blogs than I do from occasional tweets, Flickr pics or Facebook entries. Those who share good material on their blogs are more likely for me to keep an eye out for them when I do see them floating by in my online lifestream.
Thanks!
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