12 things to consider while networking online
This was written in 09 and is every bit as germane today. What would you add to it?
1. Have a plan. Understand what you want to get out of your online networking time and what you have to give to it.
2. Upload your address book. This step will allow you to grow your networks faster. Larger networks lead to more opportunities.
3. Realize the importance of being interested over being interesting. Networking isn't only about what's in it for you. It's about what I can do for you, what you can do for me and what we can do together.
4. Ask good questions. Social networking is really all about conversations. One of the best ways to engage others in conversation is to ask questions.
5. Be interested in helping others. Without a healthy interest in the well being of others, any networking will be a total waste of your time.
6. Make connections. Know two people that need to meet? Introduce them. Networking sites like Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook make this very easy to do.
7. Shine the light on others. By helping to spread the word of others you actually help spread your own word as well.
8. Spend time working your online network daily. It doesn't have to be all day, and it shouldn't be overwhelming. But you do need to make a consistent effort on this.
9. Alter the time you are online. Most people are creatures of habit and are online at the same time everyday. If you want maximum exposure, mix up the times so different people are seeing your message.
10. Upload a photo. People do business with people. Having a photo online makes you human, accessible and more interesting. This is true regardless of how bad you think the photo is.
11. Find another medium by which to connect- Can you meet them in person? Do so. If not, pick up the phone. It's great to connect online over keystrokes, but it's also important to do voice to voice or face to face networking.
12. Get started. There isn't a reason you can conceive that would exonerate you from doing this. Online networking is the most important thing to hit the internet thus far. If you need help, call me!
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These are all great points Terry - Thank you for sharing as I (and I'm sure most everyone else) always needs to be reminded of these points or atleast a refresher as we get lax in our ways.
Keith
Well thank you good sir. You have done a fantastic job garnering business from social. I know you post a lot about the work you do and who you do it with AND for which I think is brilliant. Any other tips?
The most important thing I share with people when it comes to social media in terms of what is going to get people's attention is to simply talk about what you are doing, what and who you are benefiting, and how they can utilize your services all in a simple 140 character blog, status update, or mention....
How can I fit alll that in to a simple 'mention' or status update you ask?
Simple: Focus on Key Words that are going to grab the attention of those that you are focusing on and or trying to get in front of (kind of like a subliminal 'ask')
It is also another approach to educating and not selling...
For Example:
I would post something like this (and I will put the Key Words in bold)
"Just had a Great Home Purchase Closing in Royal Oak with the happy 1st time Buyers thanks to Realtor, Donna McManus of Real Living Cranbrook"
So, I caught the eyes of those folks looking to buy a new home, I caught the eyes of those folks about to have a closing or have had a not so great closing in the past, I caught the eyes of 1st time home buyers looking and or debating on looking, and I caught the eyes of Realtors out there reading my blog seeing that I work with someone from 'Real Living Cranbrook' as well as potential home buyers/sellers looking for a Realtor. ....simple right? I agree.
Another angle that I have taken with that approach of educating on not selling and to catch the eyes of those reading is posting things like this:
"Just had a wonderful lunch meeting with new mortgage client from Livonia, MI who educated me on the fact that interest rates are in the 3's & he can finance those who are underwater, wow!"
This captures the folks that are looking for a mortgage and don't think they can as well as those who have higher interest rates and do not know that interest rates are in the 3's - This also captures the Loan Officers out there seeing that I am working with other Loan Officers in their area and open's their eyes to Franklin Title.
Always educating... never selling.
Thanks for letting me share,
Keith Stonehouse
Thank you for taking the time to do so.