When you’re launching a social media presence, going it alone is the hardest way to do it.
Can you do it from scratch? Sure. But it’s going to take you a looooong time. Because it takes time to build influence. To be taken seriously. To be integrated into someone’s daily media consumption.
But there is a shortcut. And this is coming from me, the one who’s always telling you to avoid shortcuts and do the work.
What is it?
Your friends.
One of the reasons direct selling works is because we tap into our existing network (our warm market) to share our products and services. These people already know, like, and trust us, and so they’re a lot more willing to believe our product recommendations.
The same goes for social media.
If someone you know, like, and trust tells you to go and check out a blog or a Facebook Page, you’re a lot more likely to do so. The Page or blog owner will get a lot more traction that relying on “cold call” methods like advertising and such. Sure, they’ll build momentum eventually. But it’s a lot easier if your warm market helps you get the word out.
So when you launch any social media presence, or are trying to grow one, think about who you can tap to help you. Ask your personal friends, your neighbors, your existing customers. If you’re a direct sales company, show your salesforce how to spread the word. Have them help you get the word out, and give them the tools to do it (custom-written posts, links, etc.)
Sure, you’ll have to do the work of providing great content that will make your friends look good when they share it. But you don’t have to do this all alone.
Friends are important.
Your thoughts?
Related posts
- Why Are You Ignoring the Fans on Your Facebook Page?
- ROI of Social Media Marketing for Direct Sales
- Include Your Real Name and Photo on Your Social Media Presences
- 6 Media Trends for Direct Sales in 2012
- How to Create a Newsletter Tab on Your Facebook Page
- Can Facebook Ads Work for Your Business?
- A Misguided Email, and What We Can Learn From It
- Are You a Lazy Social Media Marketer?
- Online Testimonials Can Make a Big Difference For Your Business
- Professional Development Matters
Trouble starts when your friends think you are trying to scam them, especially if it’s happened to them before.
Good article, keep up the good work
Hello Jennifer, thanks for the great advice & content.
I often wonder what happens behind the scenes when someone “likes” our page & then perhaps “likes” or comments on our content. Does that show up on their profiles or news feeds? Do their friends see that & we hope that sparks an interest to come check out our page?
Do you have anything already written on this that I can read, learn more & better understand?
Brenda
I have been considering a recruitment page and truly need the help. So far I have only made a few off subject mentions on my special needs blog. I have been holding back partly because I imagine my audience feeling as overwhelmed as I by the volume of all the other pages out there. When I sign onto facebook lately, the friends postings are completely lost in the pages I have “liked” and consider discontinuing them all. Is it possible to stand out in that noise no matter how great the content?
Stacie Wiesenbaugh recently posted..Beginnings and Endings
Great advice, Jen. I joined a page that had 81 likes on Sunday ~ just checked and they are at 477 likes this morning.
This page’s posts are full of value, which made it easy for me to invite my friends to check it out.
Thanks once again, Jen for showing by doing. You are such a good coach <3
i think so many before used this tactic in the wrong way that nowadays everybody is avoiding it. But if you do it in the nice way without forcing or some other bad tactics, it can really help you