Later, you log back into Facebook and see a post from a local businessperson asking for SEO copywriting help and 6 out of the 8 responses are other people recommending you.
Social media is one of the best and easiest ways to research potential clients and start the relationship-building process that can land you the assignments you want.
That’s where social media comes in.
You can use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other networks to showcase your knowledge and connect with others.
You may have noticed, each of these tactics involves building a relationship. Social media experts Ted Rubin and Kathryn Rose wrote a book called Return on Relationship. The idea is that relationships are the new currency nurtured through social media. Since the dawn of business, people have conducted business with — and given referrals to — those they know, like, and trust.
What’s exciting is now you have power that reaches far beyond people in your geographic area. It’s relatively simple to build connections with people globally.
Use social media to target your ideal clients and get to know them. Send them articles of interest periodically, “Like” their posts, make recommendations … After a while, your name will be familiar and when you reach out via an email/phone call or snail mail, they’ll know who you are.
Ultimately, the method for social media success is the same online as off. Schedule time each day for your social media marketing, be focused in a few groups, and track what’s working and what’s not. By this time next year, you’ll have created a marketing machine that fills your client docket!
What social media successes have you experienced?
1. Connect with people. When you meet people at an event and they give you their business card, follow up with a request to connect via LinkedIn.
So few people do this. LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to start building a relationship from the comfort of your home.
2. Join relevant and active groups on LinkedIn. Review a dozen or so groups and then choose three to four that you plan to stick with. Effective social media directly relates to the value you give. Schedule 15 minutes, 3 times a week to scan the discussions and comments in the groups you joined. The networking group BNI has an expression, “Givers Gain.” Don’t drop in links to your website or contact info at first. You want to be helpful, not spammy.
Once or twice a week, create a new discussion in each of your LinkedIn groups. People in the group will reach out to you to connect. If you’ve positioned yourself as an expert, some of those people will want to hire you.
3. Join Facebook groups relevant to your industry and to your town if you do business locally.
My town, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, has a community group page that has become a resource for all things Doylestown. It operates almost like a mini “Angie’s List” with people constantly asking for referrals for painters, doctors, and yes, even SEO copywriters (that’s where my referrals came from). Get to know the moderators of this group page if you do business locally. If the page is successful and active, these moderators will know many people in town.
If local business isn’t part of your marketing mix, you’ll want to concentrate more on the Facebook business pages and on the LinkedIn groups.
You may have noticed, each of these tactics involves building a relationship. Social media experts Ted Rubin and Kathryn Rose wrote a book called Return on Relationship. The idea is that relationships are the new currency nurtured through social media. Since the dawn of business, people have conducted business with — and given referrals to — those they know, like, and trust.
What’s exciting is now you have power that reaches far beyond people in your geographic area. It’s relatively simple to build connections with people globally.
Use social media to target your ideal clients and get to know them. Send them articles of interest periodically, “Like” their posts, make recommendations … After a while, your name will be familiar and when you reach out via an email/phone call or snail mail, they’ll know who you are.
Ultimately, the method for social media success is the same online as off. Schedule time each day for your social media marketing, be focused in a few groups, and track what’s working and what’s not. By this time next year, you’ll have created a marketing machine that fills your client docket!
What social media successes have you experienced?
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