Networking online is the same as networking in person.
So recently, I got fed up when I saw a post in an online group I am part of on Facebook. It just set something off in my head and now I have a little rant, vent…or maybe a better term is a Lesson for All of Us!
I was reminded of this lesson recently while teaching the ACE Your Content Marketing Planning workshop that my main philosophy with regards to networking online is very much: Be the same online as you are in person.
Type the words you are saying online, the same as you would say them to someone face to face.
Or as I like to say it:
Be Real. Be Social. Get Clients Online.
If you can master this and apply it to anything you do online, even networking and talking to others in groups online… you can authentically get your presence out there and have people feeling you are the real deal.
Distance, location, and even platform will not matter – if you can be you anywhere – even typing a short response to a Facebook comment – then you have mastered online networking. You have figured it out. And people will get that.
PLUS it may lead to someone connecting with you and signing up to take your course or program.
People will see this authentic you in what you do online. They will get to know you – even from small back and forths on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
It’s all about the KLT Factor – Know. Like. Trust.
The “Get to Know” you, is that vital first step before getting to Trust and Like you – and that’s the kind of person we all want to do business with. Someone we Know, Like and Trust.
With marketing, you need to be planning to do some networking online. Especially in today’s world where few events are happening in person. Part of what I was teaching in the workshop is how important the “Persona” content is with your marketing.
Persona content is the type that you do when it is you posting online, being real. Being you. Talking to people in groups, on posts and networking back and forth with people.
Now, putting my philosophy into place… Can anyone see why I need to rant about a Facebook comment that said this:
“Need a Keynote? HIRE ME!”
What is that!?!? If you apply this statement, with a link to a website that was not working by the way, to my adage of: Don’t say anything online you would not say to someone face to face – how would this come across?
For those of you who have done keynote speaking, when you are talking to people in person would you ever say that to someone? “Need a Keynote? HIRE ME!”
Yes, I often look people in the eye when having a conversation and say – “Hey, Do you need a Keynote speaker? Hire Me!”
Yeah… not ever! NEVER!
Wow, talk about how to sound pushy or sales-sleazy… It just would not fit into a conversation – maybe as a joke but not as part of a conversation.
The added formatting of the words hire me were even worse… and for those who are not up to speed with online speaking it is worse because of the capital letters, it seems like the person is yelling the HIRE ME!
Well, online they are! All caps is often seen as yelling online… well, unless it is followed by the words of lazy folks like me, who just adds words to the end of the all caps wording and say ”Ooops not yelling!” 🙂
What do you think? Let’s say you were planning a virtual event and needed a keynote speaker.. would you be interested in reaching out to this person? Am I overreacting? It just seems so fake and salesy to me.
When you plan your marketing time and activities, part of what you need to plan is time to connect with others. To get online and Be Real. Be you. This is that persona type of content.
How you post this content is just as important as when and where. You want to be sure you really do type as you would talk to people. It really can hit home and people can get to know you in this way.
I should know… I have worked with over 470 clients 1-1 in my 12+ years in business, and I have only met a handful or two of them.
Many people wonder how folks can so easily trust me to work with me… but here’s the thing… it is thanks to my online presence. It helps them get to know me. They hear my voice in videos, and webinars, and then they hear my voice in the words I write and type online. Plus, I am fairly open and post a mix of persona content online that shows my professional side and my personal side.
And as they say, you get what you get.
It is this ability and presence that has often helped me find new clients. Or rather they find me. They see and hear me online, and that leads to building the trust in working with me and signing up. Getting clients.
Soooo, think about that the next time you are online and doing some marketing via networking. Talking to people. And whatever you do … do NOT make a post that says in all CAPS… the words HIRE ME!!!!!
I promise you… people will run from you versus reaching out to hire you when you do this.
Well… that’s my content marketing tip for you this week. I hope it gives you a few chuckles as you envision all of this happening and that you learn a little more about marketing your business online!
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