04 Sep Connect to Cultivate
Building a successful business is and always has been, about Building Relationships! Long-term success, in any industry, cannot be achieved without long-term relationships.
At the end of the day, people still buy from people.
Yes, closing a sale is important for all of us, BUT opening a new relationship should be a top priority!
Social media has impacted the world in countless ways, changing the way many people are choosing to conduct business. LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc. can be great vehicles to get your message in front of a large audience. And the reality, if people don’t know you exist, how can you be of service to them?
But here’s the rub … it’s not just reaching people that matters. Being authentic and communicating in meaningful ways lays the foundation for building long-lasting relationships.
Engagement matters!
LinkedIn is considered one of the largest professional social media platforms, used globally and is a great vehicle for growing your network. But, there are some things to consider when reaching out to make new connections.
Think about why you want to connect with that individual. Are you in the same industry? Have they shared content that you find valuable? Did you hear them speak? Do they have job experience you find interesting? Are they your target client?
Personalize the invitation. No one wants to feel like a number in your marketing plan. Review their profile for something of interest to highlight in the message.
And, one of the most IMPORTANT things to remember … ADD VALUE before asking for anything. When an individual connects and then immediately pitches their product or service, it is a clear sign that they are not interested in cultivating a relationship. So, think of the Golden Rule and treat them how you wish to be treated and ADD VALUE first!
“Saying hello doesn’t have an ROI. It’s about building relationships.”
Gary Vaynerchuck
Share a blog or industry article that requires no more than 2-3 minutes to read (we’re all busy). Send them a short video. Communicate regularly (bi-weekly or monthly) to stay top of mind, but do not overwhelm them and clog up the inbox.
Know your audience. Make sure what you send is relevant to the person you are sending it to. When communicating, the goal should always be to engage in a meaningful way.
Established relationships will always be the lifeline of businesses. Once someone opens their wallet for you, the likelihood of them purchasing from you again goes up exponentially. And we all know it costs a lot more time and money to find a new client, than it does to retain a current one. Keep cultivating!
Even when using social media to connect with the masses, it still involves building a relationship. Again, no one wants to feel like just a number. Yes, you’re going to share information about your products and/or services, but you also want followers to know you on a human level. Be authentic when engaging with your audience. Don’t we all appreciate the people in our lives who “keep it real”?
Relationships are the most valuable currency of any business, so let’s continue to connect and cultivate!