For smaller businesses, social networking is nothing less than a shortcut to success. Fully utilized, social networks offer an intriguing platform for customer, employee and supplier relationship management that can serve not only existing connections but also help to identify new prospects.
One of the challenges of mastering social networking is determining where to best invest your resources--time, energy and possibly capital, too. As you gain experience using Gibline, you can begin to identify--and ultimately prioritize--the universe of possible initiatives to enhance your busines, brand, and revenue.
Reviewing the commercial spectrum of social networking opportunities reveals gleaming possibilities as well as some potential problems for smaller businesses that pursue social networking initiatives. Here are some tips:
1. Prospecting
The marketing potential of a social network is undeniable. Potentially, it's an enormous database of prospects, and some of those prospects are future customers, suppliers or even employees. But uing social networks for cold calling can be a fruitless waste of time.
Tip: Mining social network information and contacts identified through social networks requires subtlety. For example, it's a good idea to do favors for others on social networks, such as recommending suppliers or former co-workers. That's what some refer to as "paying it forward." We recommend spending time on the message boards and discussion areas on Gibline to get to know others in the community better before launching in to ask favors.
2. Sourcing on a Social Network
Social networks are a great place to find suppliers and employees--cheaply. Hiring a recruiter or commissioning a search for a new supplier can cost thousands of dollars, and by comparison, membership Gibline is relatively inexpensive with immediate access to thousands of enterprising members who think just like you and want to do business with you.
3. Building Your Own Networking within the Site
It’s easy to get started. First off, check around for old friends who have similar interests. Bring them into Gibline. Then look for new friends among those already on the site. How can you add value to their membership and in doing so, add value to your own position here? Can you steer a friend who needs a part supplier to someone who has those parts? Are there any connections to be made among your friends?
Tip: Helping others can only enhance your standing and status in business and as a desirable connection on Gibline.
4. Build a Club for your Friends and Customers
This is true goldmine for some of our members. A club can be a group that focuses on working various sources for sales of services, or a group that augments each others sales, or more basically, a group of friends. Give your club a strong brand. Work with each other. If you have expertise, offer it. But ask for another friend’s expertise when you can as well. Whether it’s marketing, supplying services or goods, or discovering ways to keep the coin coming in, working together is the best way to build your business. It’s really true that when you do a good turn, it comes back to you.
One potential downside, sometimes we make the wrong choice at the wrong time for your business. Ask yourself is--is it worth the time, effort and money on your part, or can you better utilize a club that already exists within Gibline with a better return on your efforts? If you’ve got a truly unique approach, we recommend you go for it!
These are just some of the great reasons to social network. We think you’ll agree that growing your circle can only help you grow your business with connections to be enjoyed on and off the internet. We hope these tips will help you realize the benefits social networking can have on your business.
For more Renegade Marketing techniques, visit my website at:
rjfanucchi.ws
email any questions to:
psrjf@lycos.com
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