If you join the right social networking sites and become an integral part of the community, you be furthering your business in a passive, yet very beneficial way. First, by being active in the communtiy people will get to know you. After a while you will become one of the established members and people will begin heeding your advice. Once you cross that threshold, people will begin seeing you as a professional and being seen as a professional in the community will put you in the place that we all strive to be in, that is the place of an INFLUENCER. Sudying and learning are great and we most always be receptive to learning new things or ways of approaching any given situation. However, the real test comes in the application of what you have learned.
The beauty of being involved in a community, especially one you help found, is that you get to know everyone involved and you soon develop a sense of camaraderie and trust. And if you have been listening, that is the keyword of 2009, building a trusting relationship with your customers/clients. Also, just because you have developed a relationship, so to speak, with members of any given community does not mean that they will not be your customer in one instance or another and vis versa.
So, while there are thousands and maybe even millions of networks to join, one must be mindful of the communities they join. What is the primary reason for joining a particular community, what can you get and what can you give. You may join a community because you feel that you can learn from those involved. You may join another community because you feel that you have some knowledge to impart. And you may join another community strictly for leads. As long as you are clear about what you are doing you should be alright. Just do not find a new excuse for not being successful– that being the joining every social network that strikes your fancy leaving you no time for conducting business.
I wrote these words more to reinforce what I am learning but if you get anything out of this, please feel free to comment.
Talk soon.
Gil
"The only way to influence someone is to find out what they want, and show them how to get it."