Connections -No, not the cool science/history TV show hosted by James Burke, this is about how you connect with your business associates. Social media has opened a whole new world of personal and business connectivity!
A first meeting with a new contact/client/vendor used to be a slightly impersonal one where you had little knowledge of the other person beforehand and ended with the exchange of business cards. Now, you can not only “Google” the person to learn about them before you meet, you can build a relationship online and form a rapport before going into that meeting as friendly acquaintances. You can also use social media to find great new employees!
What about people that you don’t know you want to know?
Facebook and Twitter are great ways to get your business out in the public view showing not only your features and benefits, but also showing the human side of your company. If you are putting out quality content – people will begin to listen and (hopefully) have you in mind when your services are required. If you read the Carrie’s Blog page, you will remember the post “Social Media Weekend”, about how connections made over Twitter turned Carrie into a customer.
Do you go to networking events, trade shows or conventions?
There are so many new and exciting ways of connecting with social media! Are you on Foursquare? “Friend” your business contacts and be notified if they check in at the same venues as you. A perfect opportunity for a quick catch-up. Do you have an Android or iPhone? “Bump” with the people you meet & exchange your information directly into one another’s phones. Have you heard of Hashable? You can introduce people, send them your virtual business card and check into Foursquare with your new connections! Want to leave a big impression with your business card? Try a Meet-Meme card (Carrie purchased a set of these at the beginning of the year; they are a great way to spark a conversation!) These baseball card sized trading cards have all your social media information and even have a QR code that people can scan to see your information.
Throw a “Tweetup” for all of your clients and contacts while at a larger event. It not only gives you an opportunity to have face to face interaction with the people who you may only communicate with via phone/email etc, but it is also a way to start Twitter conversations about your company products, services or people. Services like Eventbrite and Plancast can help you create and broadcast information about your events.
Do you use the technology of social media to connect with your clients/customers? What do you use? Are we missing anything? Let us know in the comments below!
