Social Media Rocks and Rules

Understanding how Social Media plays an important role in today's selling and sponsoring market and it's rules of engagement.

Transcript

2. Understanding how Social Media plays an important role in today's selling and sponsoring market and it’s rules of engagement.
3.  Your customers are using it  Your competitors are using it  It's a two-way conversation  It keeps you visible and increases your exposure  It increases your social influence and generates referrals by word of mouth  It's inexpensive advertising  Support groups for small businesses  Networking groups for event opportunities
4.  There are SO many Social Media choices... Should I do them all? … Not unless you're an uber geek  Choose ONE Social Media network that you enjoy using more than any other and ROCK IT OUT. Then expand your horizons.  There are ways to synchronize accounts, so that you can post to more than one Social Media site at the same time. A simple Google search on "synchronize my Facebook/Twitter posts" (for example), will get you a started. However, first mastering your primary choice is recommended.
6.  Where are my customers?  How do I prefer to communicate? … Short updates - Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn … Audio - phone marketing (Dial My Calls) … Text - Email, e-news marketing (Constant Contact, Mad Mimi), text marketing (Dial My Calls), Blog … Video - YouTube, Animoto, Vimeo … Images - Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr  How much time do I have to invest in Social Media?  What are my goals? … Connecting with existing customers, reaching new leads, or establishing relationships with potential new team members?
7. Facebook - Social Networking The goal is to create a business presence in your already established social circle. Create a PAGE for your business. Do not use your personal profile for business posts and spam your friends. (An occasional post on your personal profile about a great special or where you went on vacation because of Scentsy Family is OK, but your friends want to know about YOU, not what you want to sell them all day all the time.) Twitter - Micro-blogging The goal is to increase your reach (followers), provide value and stay active. Keep it brief and consistent. Think of Twitter as a real-time information network super-highway shared in 140- character snippets. Jump right in, follow cool people and establish a rapport. LinkedIn - Professional Community The goal is to connect to other business professionals who share mutual business connections, colleagues, schools and friends. A virtual game of six degrees of separation, so to speak. Express your personality, but keep it toned to a professional networking environment.
8. Pinterest - Virtual Pinboard The goal is to provide high-quality content through images and shared ideas. Think instructional videos, business books, links to blog posts. Also, by looking at popular pins, you can get an idea of the type of content that the Pinterest users like. Instagram - Photo Updates The goal is to share your vision in pictures instead of words. When connecting on image-sharing sites -- and any Social Media sites for that matter -- focus on quality over quantity. Be sure your profile is updated so that people who feel a connection with your artistic side, can get in touch with you. Make your visuals fun and shareable. Blog - Online Journal The goal is to showcase your expertise, connect with potential customers and recruits, and establish your online personality. Keep your content useful. Write a new post and share it on your primary Social Media choice. Promote your blog on other social media sites. Alternate daily or twice weekly.
9. Forums - Message Boards The goal is to choose the right forum suited to your industry, personality and interests. Engage in trending topics, ask questions of other like-minded forum members, and be helpful and informative. Provide a link back to your primary Social Media choice in your forum signature for those who find you knowledgeable and personable. YouTube - Video Updates The goal is to build relationships and make a personal connection by way of a "virtual" get-to-know- you clip. Short, quality videos with solid information or useful tips go a long way to building trust and followers. A great way to introduce people to your sparkling personality. *designlab10.com
10. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer. Nobody wants to hear a song for the umpteenth time. Oh, and there's that commercial again, Ugh. Hand me the remote. Don’t wing it - choose a strategy, set your objectives, goals and balance your time Don’t set high expectations - social media is not an overnight cash cow, diligence is key Don’t treat it as a bulletin board - it’s SOCIAL; interact, engage in feedback and dialogue Don’t spam friends - believe it or not, even your closest friends will put you on “ignore” Don’t ignore opportunity - if someone comments, likes or asks a question; get on it! Don’t post emotionally - it only takes one minute to lose a good reputation Don’t be boring - don’t just share what other’s share; make it your own and add YOU flair Don’t make private stuff public - your customers and potential recruits are watching Don’t self-promote - share something useful or informative; it’s not all about you Don’t SELL; SHARE
11. Be professional - keep it clean, be the kind of person that you’d want to do business with Be trustworthy - people do business with people they respect and trust Be reliable - do what you say you're going to do when you said you were going to do it Be authentic - be yourself Be consistent - stay active, so you’re the first person that comes to mind Be patient - it won't happen overnight Be diligent - hard work pays off Brand yourself - find that comfortable "nitch" and keep using it Use common sense Be personable - have FUN!
14.  While Social Media plays an important role in today's selling and sponsoring market, a PERSONAL CONNECTION is still KEY.  Social media can help fill your tank, but if we don’t put our key in the ignition, turn it and step on the gas... NOTHING HAPPENS.* *worldslaziestnetworker.com