Social Networking Tips

Most entrepreneurs will agree that they have had little to any success in their Social Networking efforts. Many will tell you (if they are being honest) that they feel they waste a lot of time with Social Networking. Why do you think this is the case?

In my opinion, it is probably because of one of these reasons:

1. They suck at networking. (sorry…just being real)

2. They have never been taught how to create lasting business relationships.

3. They don’t have a strategy, plan or vision of what they want out of Social Networking

4. They don’t know their purpose or what solutions they provide.

5. They don’t know WHO specifically they help or how they help them.

6. They just assumed they could figure it out on their own.

7. They haven’t given it any thought.

Regardless of the reason…..one of the most overlooked benefits of Social Networking for business is how it can ENHANCE everything you are already doing to generate business.

Think about this…..you go to a networking event. You connect with people you love. The event ends. Time goes by and before you know it a month has gone by. You go back to your networking event and happen to see the same person again. This is repeated several more months.

Imagine now, when you leave the event….you connect with them on Facebook or Twitter or Linkedin or Pinterest or Google+….and you learn more about them. You find that you both love to cook and golf. You get together for a home cooked meal. You invite each other for a round of golf. Suddenly…you feel like you have known this person your entire life and feel excited to look for business for them.

Social Networking is about interacting with human beings. It is about creating relationships with people. If you combine your Social Networking efforts with human interaction…..you will experience such an amazing burst of energy and growth. It will feel like the referrals are constantly coming in, your sales are growing, you are helping a ton of people and best of all, you have real friends that worry if you don’t show up to an event. They call when they hear you are sick. They offer to bring you a meal if you are down and out. And if you ever get arrested….they are someone you know who would come bail you out and not judge you.

Now I ask you to seriously consider the “friends” you have made on Facebook or Twitter or Linkedin or any other Social Network…..how many of them would do that for you? This is a powerful video….please watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VdO7LuoBzM

I would like to invite you to learn more about how to grow your business with Social Networking.  Get a Free Social Networking Class by going to http://www.SocialNetworkingAbundance.com

In addition, make a point to reach out to one person a week who you have connected with online and meet with them in person.

A great Facebook recipe:

So many entrepreneurs waste time in their Social Networks. By being focused on what you want to get out of Social Networking and having a simple plan, you can maximize your time.  Social Networking works when you focus on GIVING.

Here is your Social Networking tip for Facebook……or a great recipe for Facebook:

1. Each month, acknowledge 5 people on their walls. Write something about what they mean to you, why you feel they are an expert in their industry, why others should connect with them, etc.

2. Each day: Check the upper left corner for friend requests, messages and notifications. When you accept someone’s friendship: write something nice on their wall about them, send them a personal message to let them know you are glad you are connected and ask them what are their top 3 intentions for the year and then try and connect them to one person who could help them get one of their intentions. (e.g. If they say one intention is to lose 5 pounds, you might connect them to a personal trainer you know or a friend that was successful at losing weight)

3. Each week: Choose one person to get to know better. Setup a video chat (you can do this in facebook through their IM system). Prepare a list of questions to ask them (what are your 3 top challenges, what do you do for business, who is your ideal client, what are your 3 favorite things to do when you aren’t working, what are the top 3 things you are most proud of, etc) Make it about them and make a point to connect them to one person who might make a difference for their business. Be sure to send a thank you card (this means one of your questions should be what is your mailing address). Schedule a follow up call to them in 2 weeks….just check in to say hi and ask what is new and exciting.

4. Each month: Upload 10 pictures and tag others in it. Everywhere you go make a point to take pictures….you and your clients, your client’s office and staff, you and your networking groups, you doing interesting things with your family, etc.

5. If you have a group and/or Facebook Page: Each month make a point to invite 10 to each and tell them why they might benefit. Be sure to ask them to share it with others.

6. Post two tips in each of your group and your Fan Page – I like to post video tips (yes….these are coming). You would upload the video to YouTube and then embed it into a blog post. Then simply share the link. You will get traffic to your blog AND get credit for someone viewing your video.

7. Create a monthly event (live or online) and post the event in your group and Fan Page.

Please understand there are what I call “Maintenance Items” not setup. Setup is another conversation. What additional things would you add to this list?

Would you like to learn how you can create a powerful Social Networking system for your business?  Access a free Social Networking training instantly by going to http://www.SocialNetworkingAbundance.com