Quantity or Quality

A few months ago I was introduced to Twitter. I find it very intriguing and am convinced if used to build relationships, it can be a great business building tool. I got pretty "gung ho" about it and decided to grow my follower list as quickly as possible. In the process I also felt obligated to follow everyone and ended up auto-following so that I could keep up. While my number of followers was small compared to many, I was none the less proud of my accomplishment.

All of that changed this week when I read about Robert Scoble (@scobleizer) un-following 106,000 Twitter followers. When I went back and looked at my follower list, I was appalled at what I found. Through the auto-following, I was following many that I would never have followed if I had taken some time in checking out profiles, profile pictures and the content of what they were tweeting. More importantly, I realized that I had violated my own belief that the key to networking is building strong relationships not just being out there passing out business cards to everyone. Or, in this case just following everyone

I have begun my own purge of followers. How far I will go, I am not sure. I think the numbers really need to be based on what is right for you. However, this week instead of following 100's I have only followed a couple. I am trying to be more thoughtful in my process by being sure to send a personal note of welcome as well as trying to engage the individual. I am back to working on building a relationship in which I can bring value to the other person, remembering that it is about them and not me.

Thanks Robert for your bold move and for helping me to remember that it is all about quality and not quantity.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2009, Bill Hurlbut

If you like this article, Follow me on Twitter.

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

-------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2009, Bill Hurlbut

If you like this article, Follow me on Twitter.

Is Social Media For Me?

I recently began to get involved in networking through Social Media. I am using LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, with the latter being the one I use most. It has been a very interesting trying to learn how to use these tools. While no where near an expert on the subject, I thought I would at least express some of my observations.

I see that this can be a great extension of any current networking activities you currently use. If you realize that networking is about building relationships, you can build them anywhere regardless of weather it is at a networking event, at a charity event or on the Internet. If you are making everything about how can I help the other person and not yourself then these all are great venues.

In relationship building you need to keep it "low key" and see how you can help the other person and not just look to sell. I see so many people just coming out any using Twitter as a source to run their latest sales ad. There is no relationship building there. They are just an old time peddler. Instead the "tweet" should be something that is offering value to the other person. Provide a link to an interesting article, a good motivational quote, a piece of trivia or a useful tip.

Another very important area is your bio and a picture. Since you need to make yourself real to others, let them have a chance to know you as a real person. While I prefer the avitar to be you even a picture of your dog is better than just the avitar that is used if you don't upload one. I prefer to see a picture of the individual so I can get to know them. Being on Twitter to promote your business make it something in good taste.

Normally you will not go to a networking event and not speak to anyone so don't do that in Twitter either. Share some "tweets" with others and engage others in a short conversation. Who really wants to follow someone who has very few if any "tweets".

Be courteous and considerate as you would be in person. Thank those that follow you and try to make some sort of comment based on some of the "tweets" they have made or something in their profile "bio". You can do this if you answer them personally instead of using an automated process. Again, be REAL.

Remember that this is a public forum. In the business world we have been taught that there is no place for cursing or profanity. You should observe the same thing here.

Let people get to know you and then you can occasionally let them know that you are in a certain business or profession. You can offer answers to questions that are posed in your area of expertise. You can even do specific word search to be alerted to "tweets" that fall in your area so you do not miss things.

In the short time I have been using Twitter I have been able to form some relationships, open some business opportunities and hopefully soon, close a couple of sales. I think that almost any business can do this if they are willing to spend some time developing those all important relationships. While it takes time, just as in networking "face to face", it should be well worth it over the long haul.

Only you can answer whether or not Social Media is for you. But for me, I have found my answer. I hop you do too.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2009, Bill Hurlbut

If you like this article, Follow me on Twitter.

Networking: The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How Part 3

When I originally wrote this article about 16 months ago, the third part was just a resource list of a couple of websites to check out and a short reading list. I have included that below but I wanted to make a few comments about another type of networking I have recently begun doing. That is, social networking.

With social networking or social media as it is often called, the basics are the same but applied to another medium. With the world shrinking more and more every day, thanks to the Internet, it is now more than ever possible to create relations around the globe.

The concepts are the same in that you want to create a relationship with people so that they get to know you, like you and trust you. When connecting over the Internet, again keep it low key and provide value to others. Do not just be a peddler of goods and services.

I will discuss this more in future posts but for now I would just mention that I personally use Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Websites:

www.hellomynameisscott.com

www.fripp.com

www.theconnectionqueen.com

www.eyeonsales.com

Books:

Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty by Harvey Mackay

Power Networking by Donna Fisher and Sandy Vilas

Cracking The Networking Code by Dean Lindsey

Endless Referrals by Bob Burg

The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann

The World’s Best Known Marketing Secret by Ivan Misner & Virginia Devine

Prospect Factory by Ted Stevenot

-------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2009, Bill Hurlbut


If you like this article, Follow me on Twitter.