Use Social Media to boost Real-World Relationships

What I have realised with Social Media is that sometimes we become so focused on the metrics we are not paying enough attention to the opportunities being created.

Yes we want more Likes, Followers, Views, Hits etc – but if we are getting real world business relationships and new clients – this is the ultimate goal from using social media marketing.

My tips on how to turn your online Social Media activities into a person to person relationship:

1. The conversation starts with a Social Media dialogue. Interaction is your primary goal.

2. For customers who show interest in your business – get onto the phone with them as soon as you can. A text message dialogue over social media is good for the initial approach, but from there you want to show this possible customer you are a person with a voice.

Give them a call to introduce yourself, thank them for the enquiry and pass across some free advice or useful info. Before the sales approach it’s about building trust – and the best way to go about building trust is by helping that person for free and listening to their story. If you go in straight with the sales pitch it tells the customer you are about the money, not about the business and hearing their story.

This approach will put you on the leading foot as I bet many people won’t goto this effort to acquaint themselves with a new lead.

3. For the general public who enquire or give feedback on your product or service – if the number of  enquiries is not huge then make sure you reply to each person.

In some cases where you think further discussion is needed  (or maybe you have some negative commentary) provide an email address or phone number – showing that member of the public you will take out the time to answer their query, offline.

Conclusion

The approach is rather simple – don’t act like a salesperson from the start, build the relationship, show you are real – take the conversation offline.

Social Media is a powerful communication tool – but you don’t seal the deal over Twitter do you? This is when being face to face or on the phone will get the business.

To expect people to signup to your services without ever speaking to you is rather foolish and unrealistic.