If you’re like Sherry and you cringe at the thought of selling on social media – read on!
Sherry approached me at one of my workshop; a slightly defeated look on her face. We had just finished a session by Stuart Crawford, one of my favorite social media experts and a colleague I really admire (follow his blog at http://stuartcrawford.com/).
“I don’t see why I would want to have a newsletter or a blog,” she looked worried. “I hate people who are just always trying to sell their stuff in their newsletter. No one reads it anyway!”
I smiled, seeing the over-whelm. Somewhere in the volume of content she had missed one of the key points.
“You’re right.” I smile. “Your social media tools are not so much to sell what you do as they are relationship building tools.”
“But I build a relationship with my clients in person” she persisted.
“Great,” I said. “How do you build relationships with influential people in your industry. The kind who you really admire and would LOVE a public endorsement from?”
She stared at me for a moment as a smile started creeping over her face.
“I’m guessing the answer has something to do with social media” she smiled weakly.
“Perfect answer!” I smiled back.
So for those of you who don’t believe in the power of what social media can do for your business, your assignment (should you choose to accept it) is this:
- Pick two influential people you admire who would make a big difference for your business if they were to spread word of mouth about you. Pick people who have loyal followings who are in your customer base.
- Write about them in your newsletter or blog, let them know you’re writing about them and offer to link to their website or events.
- Get in touch and suggest a phone call where you can explore ways of helping each other, and notice what flows from this.
Report your results back here at my blog!
Not sure if I take this as a compliment or not.
Are we not in business to make money? How does the world know about our services. Sherry you must market your services to your target audience. Then your value and knowledge will sell naturally.
You are in business to generate revenue not to have a group hug.
Cheers
Stuart
Thanks for the debate Stuart.
And to be clear, the point I most agree with that you often say is that “Social Media is a relationship building tool”.
In the world of word of mouth it is of far greater impact to have others selling you that to attempt to sell yourself!
Teresa, it is not that I don’t agree with you but this thinking is also what stalls most business owners from reaching their true potential. Small Business especially has to market their business. This is a must, sure do a great job and deliver value….the market will natural speak on your behalf…but do a horrible job and watch the market go to work as well.
Small business must focus on marketing, delivering exceptional service and get to work selling and creating positive cash flow.
In business, you are successful when you are profitable. We are not in the charity or non-profit.
Now let’s get to work building our business, creating positive cash flow and taking care of our clients.
Stuart R. Crawford
Calgary Small Business Marketing Professional
403.604.9464
He remembered when they’d met, and the many things they had done and accomplished. The memory of when he’d started out in Westfall felt closer in time than it truly was.