The BIG 3 Social Networking Components
Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Why network? It is the most powerful way to build professional relationships, actively foster contacts and disseminate information. The key word is relationship building. The BIG 3 components in social networking, in no particular order are, relationship building, your circle of influence, and viral marketing.
Relationship Building: Most people personally know at least 250 other people, and have even more acquaintances. You reached this point by building trust and credibility with the people you already know. So how do you build and maintain a social network? This too should be a relationship building strategy of establishing trust and credibility. One of the more important sayings I've heard is, "It is not what you know, it is not who you know, it is what you know about who you know." Another saying that we have all heard, "They don't care what you know until they know that you care"!
Also keep in mind relationship building creates long term relationships (for marketers that means repeat customers).
Beware of social networking errors. (1) Be sincere; (2) Don't ask for (or expect) payback; (3) Respect other people's time; (4) Follow through on promises; (5) Use special care with referred 'friends'; (6) Don't make disparaging jokes; (7) Err on the side of politeness and formality; (7) Don't wait to be properly introduced - practice a self-introduction; and (8) Say thank-you.
RECOMMENDED READING: "Social Networking Basics & Etiquette".
Your Circle of Influence: As human beings, our lives are shaped and influenced by a myriad of factors, and relationships is at the top of the list. Think about how much of "who you are today" was influenced by a specific parent, sibling, relative, teacher, coach, neighbor, author, speaker, boss, co-worker, spouse or friend. Values, habits, behavior, knowledge, skills, passions, hobbies, tastes and attitudes are typically learned through association with others. Yet, as influential as relationships are, most people haven't consciously chosen their greatest "circle of influence". More than the conscious decision to go "friend" or "mentor" hunting is the AWARENESS about your circle of influence. Just being present to the impact someone has on your state of being is powerful.
Final Point:"You Are Either Influencing or Being Influenced"
Note that influence doesn't mean pushing a point of view across. In different situations, influence can mean listening in a certain way, using facts and logic, involving others to develop a consensus, sharing a vision, offering incentives, asserting boundaries, or building up a power base.
Also, different organizations tolerate different amounts of "pushiness," depending on the situation and on the culture. By dividing the world into influencing and being influenced, and understanding the subtleties of influence conversations, you can help your clients, associates, and network friends achieve their goals.
RECOMMENDED READING: "What Powers Your Circle of Influence"
Viral Marketing Effect: I admit it. The term "viral marketing" is offensive. Call yourself a Viral Marketer and people will take two steps back. I would. "Do they have a vaccine for that yet?" you wonder. So what does a virus have to do with marketing? Viral marketing describes any strategy that encourages individuals to pass on a marketing message to others, creating the potential for exponential growth in the message's exposure and influence. Like viruses, such strategies take advantage of rapid multiplication to explode the message to thousands, to millions.
Off the Internet, viral marketing has been referred to as "word-of-mouth," "creating a buzz," "leveraging the media," "network marketing." But on the Internet, for better or worse, it's called "viral marketing." While others smarter than I have attempted to rename it, to somehow domesticate and tame it, I won't try. The term "viral marketing" has stuck.
RECOMMENDED READING: "Elements of a Viral Marketing Strategy"
In conclusion, social networking is a softer sales approach. In fact, the art of social networking is based on the premise that to give is to receive. Some people get it, some don't and are quick to blame the process. In fact, they have their modus operandi backwards. They want to "get" immediately ... or at least within a week or a month of having made a new contact. Social networking isn't a shortcut to success. However, it offers an intriguing platform for customer, employee, and supplier relationship management that can serve not only existing connections but also help to identify new prospects. Social networking provides greater recognition to its most influential and active participants.
One of the challenges of mastering social networking is determining where to invest your resources, time, energy, and possibly capital. As you gain personal experience using on of the many networks, you can begin to identify, and ultimately prioritize, the universe of possible initiatives to enhance your career, your brand, your staff, and revenue.
Mastering these 3 components you will become successful with social networking campaign's.
Continued Success,
Robert Mesa
SiliconPost.Com
Relationship Building: Most people personally know at least 250 other people, and have even more acquaintances. You reached this point by building trust and credibility with the people you already know. So how do you build and maintain a social network? This too should be a relationship building strategy of establishing trust and credibility. One of the more important sayings I've heard is, "It is not what you know, it is not who you know, it is what you know about who you know." Another saying that we have all heard, "They don't care what you know until they know that you care"!
Also keep in mind relationship building creates long term relationships (for marketers that means repeat customers).
Beware of social networking errors. (1) Be sincere; (2) Don't ask for (or expect) payback; (3) Respect other people's time; (4) Follow through on promises; (5) Use special care with referred 'friends'; (6) Don't make disparaging jokes; (7) Err on the side of politeness and formality; (7) Don't wait to be properly introduced - practice a self-introduction; and (8) Say thank-you.
RECOMMENDED READING: "Social Networking Basics & Etiquette".
Your Circle of Influence: As human beings, our lives are shaped and influenced by a myriad of factors, and relationships is at the top of the list. Think about how much of "who you are today" was influenced by a specific parent, sibling, relative, teacher, coach, neighbor, author, speaker, boss, co-worker, spouse or friend. Values, habits, behavior, knowledge, skills, passions, hobbies, tastes and attitudes are typically learned through association with others. Yet, as influential as relationships are, most people haven't consciously chosen their greatest "circle of influence". More than the conscious decision to go "friend" or "mentor" hunting is the AWARENESS about your circle of influence. Just being present to the impact someone has on your state of being is powerful.
Final Point:"You Are Either Influencing or Being Influenced"
Note that influence doesn't mean pushing a point of view across. In different situations, influence can mean listening in a certain way, using facts and logic, involving others to develop a consensus, sharing a vision, offering incentives, asserting boundaries, or building up a power base.
Also, different organizations tolerate different amounts of "pushiness," depending on the situation and on the culture. By dividing the world into influencing and being influenced, and understanding the subtleties of influence conversations, you can help your clients, associates, and network friends achieve their goals.
RECOMMENDED READING: "What Powers Your Circle of Influence"
Viral Marketing Effect: I admit it. The term "viral marketing" is offensive. Call yourself a Viral Marketer and people will take two steps back. I would. "Do they have a vaccine for that yet?" you wonder. So what does a virus have to do with marketing? Viral marketing describes any strategy that encourages individuals to pass on a marketing message to others, creating the potential for exponential growth in the message's exposure and influence. Like viruses, such strategies take advantage of rapid multiplication to explode the message to thousands, to millions.
Off the Internet, viral marketing has been referred to as "word-of-mouth," "creating a buzz," "leveraging the media," "network marketing." But on the Internet, for better or worse, it's called "viral marketing." While others smarter than I have attempted to rename it, to somehow domesticate and tame it, I won't try. The term "viral marketing" has stuck.
RECOMMENDED READING: "Elements of a Viral Marketing Strategy"
In conclusion, social networking is a softer sales approach. In fact, the art of social networking is based on the premise that to give is to receive. Some people get it, some don't and are quick to blame the process. In fact, they have their modus operandi backwards. They want to "get" immediately ... or at least within a week or a month of having made a new contact. Social networking isn't a shortcut to success. However, it offers an intriguing platform for customer, employee, and supplier relationship management that can serve not only existing connections but also help to identify new prospects. Social networking provides greater recognition to its most influential and active participants.
One of the challenges of mastering social networking is determining where to invest your resources, time, energy, and possibly capital. As you gain personal experience using on of the many networks, you can begin to identify, and ultimately prioritize, the universe of possible initiatives to enhance your career, your brand, your staff, and revenue.
Mastering these 3 components you will become successful with social networking campaign's.
Continued Success,
Robert Mesa
SiliconPost.Com
Tags: etiquette, influence, marketing, networking, relationships, social, viral
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nascent Dynamics ( ) on -
Interesting. One of my themes is considering the change social networking implies to contemporary business to consumer relationships. There are businesses who are unknowingly being condescending to their markets by continuing to utilize sell/buy approaches on what essentially reduces to a level playing field. One way to really insult someone's intelligence is to talk at them instead of with them. However, a lot of business owners find the traditional order had some benefits in terms of time and insensitivity. For instance, you can save time by putting an article in the paper and not worry about people contacting you who are not interested. I wouldn't recommend this for a business using networking to market. Outreach needs to be intelligent, considerate, and responsive.
I've seen some businesses do a good job of channeling people to their information or content. There are some sharp ways to feed in the kind of relationships that lead to doing business. On the other hand, the unusual benefit of entertaining relationships who do not necessarily qualify as prospects is how you can indirectly be extended in to their circles of influence. So this just reiterates the importance of social networking etiquette. You still want to infect people with your attention and value in whatever way is welcomed. Perhaps when planning a viral marketing strategy, it's a good idea to consider just what and how much you are willing to both give and receive.
Best,
Anthony
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Permalink Reply by Gopal-theVFusionGroup on -
Social networks are great for sharing ideas with people all over the world and being able to target your audience based on so many search criteria available. The important thing is to never overstep one's boundaries if not the trust that you can build with your potential customers/partners can be ruined. You only have one chance to make a good first impression and spawn positive word of mouth. The opposite can happen just as quickly and will spell certain doom.
Stay away from hype at all cost. Connect with people on a human level. Share info, tips, opinions just as you would if meeting someone new in person. Never beat anyone over the head with your Business Op. Too many make this mistake and ruin it for the good ones. That kind of conduct will cheapen even the most legit of opportunities. So many entrepreneurs are pitching so many things it's impossible to keep track and moreover know who is for real and who's a total scambag. If you brand yourself and a knowledgeable leader people will be attracted to what you have to say and what you could possibly offer them of value. Then you have a great opening to engage an interested person in a conversation about your Business. You'll have a much higher chance of recruiting a new partner in success that way. Relax and have fun!
Gopal (The Musical Mad Scientist and Entrepreneur)
www.boom.thevfusiongroup.biz
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Permalink Reply by Charlene L. Ragsdale on -
Nice post, Robert.
For me - it's in my MOTIVATION and BEING GENUNINE
I belong to several Social Networking sites. Only one (this one) is business oriented. The others are about my personal interests where I can enjoy my time and build relationships with people with common interests - like myself.
However, when I came onto SUP - I was HIT with people jamming their links and their pages down my throat. Oh yea, that drove me to THEIR business - LOL. It's not about numbers and how many people see MY links or pages. Those people might of received a few good hits on their links but I also believe those who just post "to post" loose so much credibility - they have lost more than they have gained. With my one on one approach - I receive between 10-15 prospects everyday and I don't have to chase anyone down. I build relationships and I if they do not enroll with my company or purchase my products, my world is better because I met someone new!
The other day - I spent over a half hour on the phone with someone who got my phone number from this site. He was in a different network marketing business than myself and wanted help. I helped him, I guided him and NEVER did I throw my company in his face. I GENUINELY wanted to help him - I gained a friend. That's what is all about. And guess what - he enrolled in my company the next day. :)
Has my business grown since I have been on social networking? 10000% yes! But, if we are not genuine in our approach - networking doesn't work.
Afterall, take 30 second to read my profile before you send me your link or promote your company to me. If you don't even know my name or the business I am in - how do you know I should patronage your services? Give me 1 minute of your attention to show me I am not just another Profile Page on your list - and you have my attention!
Mass emails annoy me - just as bad as banner ads. :|
All the best,
Charlene Ragsdale
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Permalink Reply by Robert Mesa on -
Hi Charlene,
Yes, Yes, and Yes.... Finally, I found you! I wanna have your baby. LOL Okay, we know it's not physically possible for me to have a baby. But you get my excitement. Back to my article, this is exactly what this conversation is all about. It's not about the hard sale, it's about the relationships we build and how we present ourselves. I love your description of "BEING GENUINE", on a one-one basis. You are a REAL Diamond Social Networker.
Social Networking is not form emails, buying a email list or gaining access to the whole network. That describes mass marketing, not Social Networking. Okay I'll get off my soap box.
Thank you for sharing Charlene...
Happy Holidays, and a prosperous New Year "2009".
Continued Success,
Robert Mesa
SiliconPost.Com
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Permalink Reply by Mz. La~ on -
You made some very valid points Charlene. I think often times as business owners we get lost in our desires to "market" when we should be "nurturing" our businesses. I always try to read a profile and learn something about someone before I comment or request you as a friend. I've found a lot of people on here who have the same interests as I do or are even in similar businesses. It's more about being personable before being all about business. To me, it is harder to do business online than in person, so it is in your best interest to be genuine in your efforts up front if you wish to gain a future client.
Mz. La~
Your Personal Fragrance Designer
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Permalink Reply by Lorraine on -
Yes Charlene, I too would much rather read a email or comment from someone who at least knew my name & my main interests. I've found many people here who do read the profiles, usually after I've read theirs -- which is OK because I find it entertaining!! Thanks for the thoughtful comment here.
Keep Looking Up,
Lorraine
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Permalink Reply by Mz. La~ on
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Thank you Robert for sharing that information. I have been looking for ways to maximize the potential for my own social network. It goes above and beyond making sure that it is aesthetically pleasing. You've got to make sure you have the content, enough entertainment, and something worth coming back to see. The three components that you mentioned are all elements that I have been working on further developing. I'm glad that I am on the right track. Awesome topic of discussion!
Mz. La~
Your Personal Fragrance Designer
LimitlessFragrances.com
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Permalink Reply by Robert Mesa on
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Hi Mz La~,
The three compenents mentioned here are a good foundation for Social Networking. As you mentioned developing them further are the keys to success. My goal with this article was to point out the components and hopfully the reader will take it to the next level. Thank you for your comments,
Continued Success,
Robert Mesa
SiliconPost.Com
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Permalink Reply by Robert Mesa on
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Hi Rex,
You are right to point out this article suggests a strategy for Social Networking, and you are also right to note these are tools we can use to achive our objects. To often we look for the magic pill or silver bullet, when all along the "tools" are right in front of us. There are NO magic pills or silver bullets (sorry), but if you put the tools at your disposal to work for you, you are more likely to achive your goals.
Thank you for your comments.
Continued Success,
Robert Mesa
SiliconPost.Com
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Permalink Reply by Don & Annabelle @ Zionone on -
Today small Business need to use the Internet resources as a affordable source of advertisement and positive exposure.
Internet Shopping has becoming more and more common place every year more people are looking on the Internet for Contractors, Real Estate Agents, Housing, Loans, etc not just clothes and household items like in the past, Internet shopping has moved to a whole new level. Everything you ever wanted or need is now available on the Internet.
The Internet is becoming a safe place where clients can shop without high pressure sales, they now make their choices based on your web site, search engine results, profile elements and your history of client satisfaction .
You can't make a sale anymore by using your good looks and a slick sales pitch.
Today Clients have a greater source of information than they ever did before to make the best decisions possible and to get the most for there money without any pressure from sales people.
If you don't get on the band wagon now the cost will become prohibitive for the small business owner as the popularity gets stronger.
You will be left behind and no one will miss you or even look for you.
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Permalink Reply by Steff M on -
Robert -
Great points, especially in some of you replies. I especially appreciate the different Groups (A-C) - I will start to use this very soon.
Steff
www.steffm.weebly.com
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Permalink Reply by Bernardo Mendez on -
Thanks Robert, very good tips and insights for people like me wishing to learn more about social networking and how to make better use of our connections and network of friends, not only as a friendly contact but to increase our business opportunities. I want to learn more how to market my skills in Media, PR, multicultural profile and know how of how to invest in Mexico and Latin America.
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