When Asked "What Do You Do?"

Over the years, I have read a lot of material on answering the question "What Do You Do?". Most of the articles I have seen all want to talk about crafting short, concise "elevator speeches" which contain a USP (unique selling proposition).

My approach has generally been different for a few reasons. The primary reason I didn't like these other approaches was that it started to make it about me. I always like to keep it about the other person so that I may get to know as much about them and as quickly as I can. As stated in earlier articles, I am all about it being about the other person. My intent is to do all I can to help them and not to worry about myself.

The second reason, is having a USP or any other selling proposition just doesn't seem to make sense. You can not sell anyone in 30 seconds or less, at least today, as it is about doing business with people we know, like and trust.

In a new networking group I was asked to help get started, I have had the privilege to get to know Roland DesJardins (@flyingfrenchman in Twitter), a business coach. We share many of the same ideas about the proper way to network. He has written a great entry in his blog, entitled "So What Do You Do?" Take time to read it. I think you will agree, as I do, that it is a great way to answer the question, "What Do You Do?".

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Copyright © 2009, Bill Hurlbut

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The Groundswell of Social Media Marketing by Stephanie Cross

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of meeting Stephanie Cross at a Mastermind Group I was invited to join. The group has had a great impact on my business and the way that I approach it.

Stephanie has a great grasp of how to market on the Internet and I asked her to provide me with an article I could use in an electronic newsletter I put out monthly. Her insight is so "right on" that I thought that I would also publish it here so that even more people could gain from her wisdom.

The Groundswell of Social Media Marketing
by Stephanie Cross

I have been reading a great book called "Groundswell" by Charlene Li and Forrester Research. It refers to the emergence of social media marketing as "the groundswell". With almost 300 million users on Facebook, 14 million on Twitter in the US alone and 40 million on LinkedIn, the groundswell is definitely here.

Why get into social media marketing? Is it really necessary? How is it going to benefit me?

These are questions we hear all the time. Let's address each question.

1. Why get into social media marketing? In the past, before the groundswell of social media marketing, how did people find your website? They either found it through Search Engine Optimization (searched on Google) or they already knew your URL beforehand. Now, Search Engine Optimization is only one of several ways people can find your site now...albeit an important way, it's not the only way. We have Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogging, enewsletters, articles and YouTube (these are the main outlets, in my opinion). There are many other resources you can use to drive traffic to your site. If you are only relying on Search Engine Optimization, you will be left behind -- WAY BEHIND!

2. Is it really necessary? ABSOLUTELY! Like we discussed above, if you are only relying on Search Engine Optimization and your competitors are using social media, they will have a HUGE advantage over you in regards to exposure, traffic generation and online presence. Think of it this way...if you had the opportunity to speak in front of almost 300,000,000 people, would you take it? Facebook alone gives you this kind of platform...use it to your advantage!!

3. How is it going to benefit me? It will benefit you in several ways.

* It will increase your online exposure on multiple platforms.
* It will drive traffic to your site.
* You will grow your contact list (your potential client base).
* Become known as an expert in your industry, which leads to increased sales, press opportunities, speaking engagements and more!
* You will be able to keep tabs on what the public is saying about your service or product. By keeping up with what the public is saying, you can respond appropriately or make needed changes if you see a trend. This component alone has saved several companies from situations that could have been a crisis. Instead they responded appropriately online and avoided the crisis altogether. Whether you like it or not, people are talking about you and your company...you need to know what they are saying.

Think of it this way, keeping with the "groundswell" theme...the wave of social media is here. You can either embrace, ride the wave, and be on top, or you can stand on the shore and be crushed by the tidal wave. Where do you want to be?

Stephanie Cross
Accounts Supervisor of Click To Client
http://ClickToClient.com
http://Shama.TV

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Copyright © 2009, Bill Hurlbut

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It's All About Relationships

If you have read any of my blog entries, you know that I firmly believe that networking is all about building relationships. This includes not only networking on a "face to face" basis but also through social media.

I had that further confirmed this week when I received a phone call from a very nice lady from near Kerrville, TX. When I answered the phone, she asked if I was the insurance agent she had seen on Twitter. I confirmed that I was and she said that she had seen my tweets but as yet was not following me.

She had several insurance questions which I answered during our 25 minute conversation. The part that was the nicest was when she shared with me why she had called me over all the other health insurance agents she has seen on Twitter. Her reason for calling was that all the other agents she had seen were only sending out tweets about buying insurance or getting quotes from their websites. She said that she choose me because my tweets were all about providing value and that I was not out there trying to sell.

While it is okay to let others know what you do, make sure that what you are really letting them know is that it is about them and that you care about them. Build those relationships first and the rest will take care of itself.

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Copyright © 2009, Bill Hurlbut

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