I am not going to sit here on my soapbox and say that I am a expert with social networking strategies. Because I am not. In fact for years I didn’t want to really get involved with the whole social networking movement. I just am not a social person like that. I still don’t like putting anything remotely promotional on my Facebook wall.
I think Facebook fan pages, and Facebook groups are the only places you should even consider promoting. In today’s post I want to share with you how I use social networks.
Social Networking Strategies – What you should be selling
Even though I am not particularly fond of socializing online, I have more important things to do like write this blog post for you 🙂 Over the past year I have been focusing more on understanding how they work. I have joined paid social networks , free social networks, micro blogging site, bookmarketing sites etc..
What I have observed is a good percentage of people that use social networks use them all wrong. They use social networking strategies that really borderline straight up spamming the hell out of someone. There is nothing more annoying than getting messages saying something like “hurry up and check this out ground floor opportunity”
Don’t be one of those people who connects with people only to try and sell them something. Trust me, you aren’t going to make any friends that way. I know you may be thinking who would do something that stupid? Well my friends tens of thousands of people pull that shiz all the time. On all social networking plateforms.
Wanna know why? They are so lazy and desperate that they will do anything to try to make a few $’s. Even if it means that they burn every bridge in the process.
Social Networking Strategies – Moving In
When you first decide to get involved with these social groups you need to see yourself as you just moved into a new house and your new neighbor’s are throwing you a house warming party. You don’t talk business except maybe what you do for a living. Your not trying to get people to buy stuff from you. It takes time to get to know a person. I think the #1 contributing factor to bad social net-workers is they approach from the mindset of “How can I make money with this?”
The right mindset is: “How can I add value to the conversation?”
If you are honestly looking for help, don’t seek it from someone who is just shoving different biz op’s in front of your eyes hoping that something catches your interest. Again, your probably thinking, that is a bad way to do it. Yet there are tens of thousands of people doing it. Stay away from social networking strategies that teach you to spam.
Social Networking strategies – Moving Into The neighborhood
With all that said, I do get sign ups from all the social networks I am involved with. I think it’s because I don’t promote directly what I do, or if I do promote it I do it softly while giving away a ton of value. I attract followers in social networks because I engage people and offer advice and tips. I always present myself as a leader. I never present myself as a nub.. Why would anyone want to join a newbie? This is why it is so critical for you to work on your leadership skills. Especially if you want to be involved in Internet Network Marketing.
When you join a social network, think of it like you just bought a brand new house. Do you want your neighbors to like you or dislike you?
I am a good neighbor , you scratch my back I will scratch your back. when I make a purchase I do so because I want to , I seek out the person I want to buy from and that’s it. I have never joined anything because someone pitched me.. I always do things because I want to , the more I am pressured the less I want to do stuff with the person.
Do you like to be pressured into sales? —–> I didn’t think so. If you don’t like, you can bet your prospects won’t like it either.
Approach social networking like you just moved into a new neighborhood. Make friends first before you start asking favors…. 🙂 There are many different social networking strategies that are good. I just happened to notice that there are more bad social networking strategies than there are good ones… Which makes sense because the failure rate online is around 90ish%.
Don’t be a statistic..
Related articles
- The Myriad Future of Social Networks (bigthink.com)
- Half of All Adults Use Social Networking (cyberculturalist.com)
I agree, that the only thing you should be selling is Yourself, never try to pressure anyone into anything. Try to be available and help others to succeed and your own success will follow.
Hi Guy, I think some folks think that they can start an online business and not have to get involved with people. The truth is, you need to be available as much as possible.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting..
I can also add another strategy – maximal collaboration with other bloggers or writers or others, including your competitors
Oh I like that word! “Maximal Collaboration” I totally agree that is awesome social networking strategy 🙂
I can’t agree more on this. The only target to get the ideal strategies for social networking is to be have confidence and professionalism.
Be a good neighbor sounds easy enough. So why aren’t people doing that? Are lazy, I’m sure many are. But I also think there are a lot of people that don’t know any better. Then there are the ones that are just getting bad advice.
I post things to face book every day. My fanpages and the groups I belong to. My posts usaully contain a link to my recent blog post. I often wonder if this is perceived as spammy. I know I hate when I see links to sales pages and lead capture pages.
Hi Dave, I can understand a person not knowing, the reality is that these people are told dozens of times to stop it and they don’t. I think sometimes it’s just ignorance.
I think what you said about “softly” promoting yourself is key! Internet users are weary of spammers, and they can see advertising lingo from a mile away. It is definitely important to build up a bit of a rapport with social media users rather than just shoving marketing strategy down their throats.. But we have to get our name out there in some way! Thanks for the article, Larry!
Hi Serena, ultimately people buy from people they know and like. People like feeling like they are part of something. If they come to their own conclusion that they want what you have, you have a much stronger partner.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
I’m glad to see someone who shares my views on this. Whenever someone tries to sell me using social media I want to un-follow as fast as I can.
I think one of the best ideas is to view social media as a party. What would you say at a party of friends? The goal should be to make new friends, then invite them back to your house(blog/website) for an after party with some thing good or fun for them there. Then they are likely to ask what you do and then be in a buying mode if done right. Good work on the post.
Hi Martha, I totally agree. Lots of people are under some strange impression that connecting with people means shoving your business down their throat. They don’t even take the time to offer to buy you a drink or anything. 🙂
Just Hi, how are you now buy my shit…
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.. Happy New Year! 🙂
A social networking site plays an important role in online strategy of every business owner. Whether offline or online business, a simple shout out using social networking site can be very useful to keep all your connections updated. However, based from my own experience, one person connected to who always sent updates everyday for at least twice a day. In the long run, I find it very annoying so I delete him in my network. I hope not all business owners are just like him.
great post, you hit the nail on the head, when you said about “softly” promoting yourself, we are all weary of spammers,building a realtionship with your readers takes time but its worth it in the end