As you know, the LAST thing I ever want to be called is a “social media expert” or social media marketing coach. Yech. That ain’t what I do and it aint’ who I am. Ain’t. Ain’t. Ain’t.
There, that feels better… now what I AM is a social media enthusiast. I love it and I think it’s a great tool to add to your internet marketing game plan.
Is it perfect for everyone? No.
Is it useful for some? Yes.
Is it vital for a few? Certainly.
So… to help you ramp up the effectiveness of your social media efforts, you need to know what to say and how to say it.
And most outreach “templates” that these social media tools offer you are pretty weak. Things like the standard LinkedIn connection invite, the Facebook friend connection, and others. No worries, you’re about to get hooked up.
LinkedIn:
Quick Marketing 101 review – Do people care about YOU or do they care about themselves? Yes – that’s right! 5 points. They don’t give a rat’s tushie about you and they care 100% about themselves.
Now look at the standard LinkedIn connection invite:
I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
Hmmmm… how do you feel about being “added”? And who cares about “my professional network”? This is all wrong.
Here’s your new template – notice the switch in focus and benefit. Plus I added a new line with even more value. Finally, I prevented someone from clicking the “I don’t know them” button which LinkedIn penalizes you for:
I’d like to put my professional network on LinkedIn at your disposal. After we connect, if there’s someone to whom you’d like a personal introduction, just let me know.
If you prefer not to connect at this time, please archive this message now. Thanks in advance.
Facebook:
Vanessa – Wow! We have 37 mutual friends. We GOTTA connect simply so we can talk about all these people!
Twitter:
First rule, don’t use automatic Direct Messaging (DM). People hate ’em. I hate ’em. Most savvy Twitter users hate ’em too.
They’re used by spammers, affiliate marketers, and MLM salespeople. Just awful.
Not sure how to set that up? Good. You don’t need to know. Didn’t I just specifically ask you NOT to do it? No matter how “cool, valuable, friendly” you think they are – DON’T do it.
This next bit isn’t a script, it’s more of a practice. It’s called ENGAGEMENT. Rather than simply pumping out clever tweets and retweeting others, build relationships. My formula for social media success (as a social media enthusiast, remember!) is the 3 R’s formula:
Resources – Yes, certainly share your blog posts, your micro-ideas, and retweets of cool links and thoughts from others. Your first week on Twitter, this is fine if it’s all you do. The second week, though, you better get busy with…
Relationships – Build relationships with other users you follow, admire, or resonate with. Use public @ messages or private DMs to connect with them, comment on their latest contributions, or thank them for an idea. Be detailed – so don’t just tweet “@dnewman Hey – Cool!” Instead tweet this: “@dnewman David, awesome ideas on your blog about those social media scripts. Thanks!!!”
Reciprocity – Once you get the Twitter thing going, you’ve built some good relationships and you’re seen as a valuable resource and contributor, it’s only natural that people will start to promote you with some reciprocal love. They’ll respond to your ideas, they’ll Retweet you, they’ll promote you in their #followfriday recommendations, and they’ll scratch your back as you scratch theirs.
Your Email Signature:
This is where I see all kinds of stupid stuff. For example:
Joe Shmoe
Profession – Email – Phone
Feel free to subscribe to my newsletter / read my blog / check out my articles – Web link
What’s wrong with this signature file? 2 little letters – MY. MY. MY. Remember marketing 101, nobody gives a hoot about YOU.
Consider my new signature file – and one that you should feel free to copy, emulate, or steal:
_____________________________
David Newman :: Tel 610.716.5984
Helping professional services firms do a better job of marketing themselves
to get MORE leads, BETTER prospects and BIGGER sales
Three resources you can grab right now:
1. Fat-free marketing ideas for the brave, fast, and smart:
https://doitmarketing.com/blog
2. Follow me on Twitter to get cool micro-ideas to grow your business:
http://twitter.com/dnewman
3. Connect with me on LinkedIn so you can tap into my 8900+ connections:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjnewman
What’s the lesson? Appeal to VALUE, appeal to EGO, and make it worthwhile for people to click on your links, follow you in social media, and join your Tribe.
Use these guidelines to turbo-charge YOUR professional bio right now and you’ll thank me later — DO IT!
Grab your FREE copy of the Do It! Marketing Manifesto
Are you a DO IT freak? Welcome to the club!! Please use the social media buttons at the top of this post to share it with your network. YOU are a rock star!