HeatherO

Making Time for Social Networking…”I don’t have time…”

HeatherO on 06 3, 2009

I often hear people complain that they don’t “have time” for social networking, or networking in general. They don’t “have time” to read, to take a class, to….fill in the blank!

“Why?” I ask. “What are you doing?” Since most of the people I have this conversation with are in business, I’m always curious (even though I know what the answers will be). “I’ve got to finish my newsletter…I’ve got to get my website finished…” are two of the common ones.

“Hmmm… Do you know how many more people you could be reaching using social media?” I ask. “Yeah, I know, but I just don’t have time for all of that! I can barely keep up with facebook!” is a typical response.

I don’t laugh out loud, because I know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed, and lose perspective! The purpose (for most) of an email newsletter, or business website, or mailouts, etc., is obviously to generate business. The point is to generate a customer who will buy from you, right?

Traditionally, we have been trained to believe that the way to do this is to hammer enough people over the head until we find one that will buy! It’s true! For eons “door knocking” was the way, “cold calling” was the way, “sell benefits and close the sale” was the way. Unfortunately, too many people overlooked the “benefit” part, and just went after the sale. Hit enough numbers until the quota was reached. Then, along came the internet and email.

“Hooray!” We all said! Now we could hammer LOTs of people in the same amount of time! I was actually thrilled when the “Do Not Call List” came out, because I HATED cold calling! Now, we could blast our message, sale, product, or whatever to anyone that would give us their email address (or even buy them if we wanted to!).

The truth is, even if you can “trick” someone into giving you their email address, they aren’t going to want to hear what you have to say! That’s probably why less than 2% of all email/online newsletters are read today! That’s why people are TERRIFIED to give out their email address now! Because we have been abused!

So, what does all of this have to do with having time? Everything!

Odds are, you are spending (wasting?) time doing what you’ve always done, because you were taught to, or because it always worked, or simply because that is what you know, are comfortable with and/or the habit that you are in!

(Oh, and as far as “I spend too much time in facebook already!” How much of that time is spent doing quizzes and food fights??)

Stop the insanity! (sorry, 80’s flashback!)

As far as business, don’t treat it much different than “personal”.

Don’t JUST talk about your cat OR JUST talk about your business!

Focus on creating information that has value, and then make it available! Give value first!

What is your expertise? What do you “sell”? WHY is it valuable? Educate me! Blog about it! Find (or do) videos on it, find articles, etc. Post them via facebook, twitter, your local networks. If you KNOW who actually asked for your newsletter (not just people who gave you their business card!) provide the information there. How do you know if it has value? When people sign up for it! And when they start asking for more, and telling their friends!(Don’t assume your friends aren’t interested! Your friends may very well have an interest in what you do, what videos you like, and what you blog about! And you know what? Many of their friends will too! As long as ALL you ever talk about isn’t your business, they’ll be fine! If they tune out…see the last paragraph!)

Next, focus on giving value in other ways. Acknowledging others is an easy, yet powerful thing to do! You can “cruise through” the updates on your social sites, and comment or “like” in seconds! May not seem like much, but when you take the time to upload a photo, or write a blog post, how do you feel when someone notices (read: comments)?

Lastly, be you! If people have “signed up” to see your “stuff” (read: they are following you or “friending” you because they are interested in you!), don’t be afraid to share your “stuff!” Don’t wonder why they would care, or whatever! If you want to share something, share it! If people don’t like what you like, that’s ok! They can tune out, and that’s not a bad thing! As long as you aren’t overdoing it, or aren’t providing value, they may just be one of those “only interested in me people!”

You can FIND time, by taking it away from those people and tasks that suck the life out of you/don’t offer any value anyway and focus your time and energy on the good people, good tools, and good activities that bring you AND others value!

There is ALWAYS time for that!

Related posts:

1. Rules of Engagement:Social Networking for Business…You “get it” (or do you?) I meet people every day who think they “get...
2. Social Networking: What, Why and How? As a social coach, I am often asked these...
3. The Go-Giver, The Grateful Dead and Social Networking Everyone is all “a-buzz” with the “new” ways of...
4. Business Networking: The Old Ways vs. New Ways I have recently pondered and discussed the whole “Business...
5. Measuring Social Media ROI is Like Mowing Grass Some days I think if I hear one more...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.