Less words. I promised myself and my readers that I would say more with less this year. I have failed miserably. I write and talk too much.
Here goes my attempt at sharing my latest observation with you by just getting to the point.
Social media is the best business development tool that has ever come down the pike. It’s simple (when you let it be), it’s relational and it’s informational. These are the most effective elements of taking someone who knows nothing about you and your product / service and helping them to decide, on their own, if you are good fit or at lest worthy of a real conversation. It builds trust which builds business.
Simple – If your message is simple people smile because you took the onus off of them to have to figure out what the heck you are saying.
Relational – If you let someone see who you really are, not your business persona, you are way down the road of seeing if there may be a chance to do business. Actual, honest to goodness, well-intentioned, win / win business.
Informational – If you give someone great information and expect nothing in return you are valuable. You are allowing people to make up their mind based on good information. Information you provided. When it’s time to buy you will have an inherently higher position in someone’s pecking order of possible vendors. You are a trusted source. That’s good.
Keep it simple. Build a relationship through giving valuable information. Build trust. Now you are truly developing business and not just a transaction. That’s cool.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent post. Straight to the point and right on target. I agree that social media is one of the best tools for business development and you make a great point in stating that we need to keep it simple. So many times people are trying to add complicated layers – promotions, programs, incentives, etc. You are dead on with with the three points – that’s all you need. That and perseverance and a touch of patience. Like all great relationships, they take time and continual investment. Thanks for sharing!
The key is “when done right”. I believe blogs are one of the best social medial tools. I just see too much garbage in Twitter and Facebook. It is harder to just get the good stuff there. With a blog, the searcher more or less finds you. If they don’t like what they see, they move on.
I like your post and info, I’m just too jaded, I guess.
cd :O)
ChrisCD´s last blog ..Best IRA Certificate of Deposit Rates – October 2009
@Rebecca – Thanks for stopping by. Honestly, I can’t take any more these days other than just simple. Any more seems like selling.
@ChrisCD – Jaded is what we are all likely to become because most of the stuff we come across is insincere and not helpful to anyone. I think you could dial it back to just being a cynic though
. Next stop after jaded may not be a pretty place.’
Thanks again.
Ouch. :O) I will strive to be an honest voice and bring light to the darkness. At this point, I really only have time for our blog and website. Take a look and let me know if you think I’m too much of a salesperson vs. a relationship builder. I think I do a good job of being the latter.
I prefer realist to cynic, but I know the difference between the two is so small as to be almost indistinguishable. :O)
ChrisCD´s last blog ..Best IRA Certificate of Deposit Rates – October 2009
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