WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO? Effective Use of Social Media.
In this particular case, I am referring to social media and other online “networking” organizations.
Let me site a few examples:
- I started a free meet-up group by the name of Scottsdale Business Strategy. I clearly explained that its purpose was to provide essential education and support to help small business owners and commission sales people to not only survive but also to thrive. As of now I have over 530 people (and growing) that have signed up, but less than 2% have ever attended a function. I also noted that most of these people belong to a number of other groups but seldom attend those meetings.
- A client recently told me that he had built his Facebook followers to over 5,000 people and was ready to launch his new product. After 3 months of marketing to this group he had not closed a single sale.
- LinkedIn is a powerful business site but only if it is used properly. Having thousands of followers without an action plan is like throwing your business card into the wind and hoping someone picks it up and buys your product or service.
I am trying to make a point. If you want to participate in any social media or join a networking group, create an action plan to make it worth your time and effort. There are thousands of groups that are available for you to join and some actually can provide a benefit to you and your business, but unless you have a strategy on how to become “that go-to guy or gal” it is a waste of your time and in some cases, your money.
Ask yourself, why you are doing what you are doing in the area of networking and social media. What do you want the end result to be? Are you willing to take the time to learn how to successfully navigate a networking session? All social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc., have tremendous potential to help grow your business, but unless you know the strategy on how to best present your material and how to communicate with that specific group, your success will be limited.
All small business owners and commission sales people have a product or service that they know better than anyone else. They expect their target market to buy them because they are the experts. Follow your own expectations and reach out to the experts in how to effectively network or how to effectively use a social media outlet. Do what you do best and let them help you with what they do best.
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Tips & Advice by Nick Petra, CFP – Founder of Strategic Duck and BizQuack
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