Recent statistics suggest that 80% of businesses, who engage with social media sites, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook etc are only communicating with their audiences one way.
What does this mean? Well, simply put, the other 20% are turning that social media engagement into business.
It’s easy, for anyone new to social media, to be forgiven for taking literally the advice of many social media experts, who tell you that this ‘new form’ of marketing is all about providing valuable information to your network and to avoid selling at all costs.
Firstly, let me tell you, I totally agree that you should avoid heavy selling tactics when engaging with others via social media sites. However, there comes a point where someone needs to suggest that a meeting takes place, with a view to doing business.
The most successful companies using social media sites are the ones who make a connection with a prospective business partner or client through LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and then ensure that they engage with them regularly, either by providing valuable information to them or by responding to articles or discussions posted by their new ‘friend’.
Once a degree of trust has been built between you and your new social media contact, it’s at that point that I believe it is important that the relationship is then moved off-line and conversations take place that suggest doing business together.
Why else are we all LinkedIn or any other social media site, if it is not to do business? Sharing useful information is important as far as brand positioning is concerned, this is marketing. At the end of the marketing funnel though, there needs to be a sales strategy.
What’s yours?
Have a great rest of your week.
Best wishes
Steve
Steve Phillip is an expert in helping businesses to create sales strategies to grow their client base, through social media
steve@linked2success.co.uk http://uk.linkedin.com/in/stevephillip http://twitter.com/linked2success
The importance of businesses being flexible, innovative and understanding clients’ changing needs has never been more important.
When hiring PR agencies ask them the pertinent questions posed by Gini Dietrich in the fantastic Spinsucks blog to ensure they are the right ‘fit’ for your business.
Russell Evans, MD of organisational and people development consultancy Primeast – a client of Quest PR since 2007 – explains why he values adaptability and a deep-rooted understanding from his supply partners.
