Yes, Virginia, You Can Say No!

When small business owners join social media sites, they often come with the expectation they must respond and keep in contact with every friend, connection or follower on the sites.  They have been told “building relationships” is the key to their social media marketing.  Well, Virginia, you can say “No” and be successful with social media marketing.  In this post I will share how selective engagement on social media sites is more profitable. Enjoy and prosper.

When small business owners join social media sites, they often come with the expectation they must respond and keep in contact with every friend, connection or follower on the sites.  They have been “building relationships” is the key to their social media marketing.  Well, Virginia, you can say “No” and be successful with social media marketing.  In this post I will share how selective engagement on social media sites is more profitable. Enjoy and prosper.

The Reality

A small business owner with limited time quickly realizes there is no way they can keep up with all of their followers, friends, connections on social media sites.  Some resort to software, doing automated responses or automated follow ups.  Even with software tools, this task becomes unmanageable.

The Business Party

You’re invited to a large business gathering where you can potentially meet new customers.  Do you feel obligated to listen in on every conversation in the room?  Or do you find it more effective to have three or four selective conversations during the course of the meeting and take them to a deeper level?  Being selective produces better results.

The Story of a Rookie’s Mistake

When I initially began my retail carpet business, I committed the rookie mistake—seeing all potential customers as equal.

It didn’t take me long to see my mistake.  I had tire kickers; I had price shoppers; I had “lookers”; I had people who were serious carpet buyers; I had repeat customer buyers.  They are not equal prospects.  When I learned how to sort out the different prospects, I made more sales in less time.

Social Media Marketing

Social media sites are no different from the type of shoppers coming to a retail business.  You have a mixed bag of friends, followers and connections.   You have tire kicking participants; you have serious shoppers; you have people that are just looking around; you may have people who are there because of some automated program; there may be a 13 year who has made their way on to your social media site.

The key to success on social media sites is to have your own agenda–know why you are participating and with whom you want to participate.  With a social media agenda you sort out who you want to engage in a social media conversation and what you want to say.

A Social Media Agenda is Not a Bull Dozer

Having a social media agenda does not mean you spend your conversations talking only about your business.  It does not mean you never show the personal side of yourself or never show an interest in the other person.

A social media agenda is a frame work to help guide your time and participation on social media sites.  Look back on the successful contacts you made at the business meetings.  They were successful because you did them selectively.

Conclusion

You don’t have to feel guilty because you have a social media agenda that doesn’t engage and follow everyone.  Saying “No” to engaging everyone can make your social media marketing more profitable.

To be continued, your comments are welcomed…

Al Hanzal