Social Networking: What, Why and How?

Written by on June 16, 2009 - 0 Comments
Categories: "Social Soup"

fb-ssAs a social coach, I am often asked these questions:
What’s the point of twitter?
What’s the difference between twitter and facebook?
Why should I do social networking? (What is the value?)
How do you find the time for social networking?

As a visual person, I like to use metaphors. Imagine you are at a cocktail party. This party is at a friends house, and you know most of the people there (others are “friends of these friends”). As you walk around you can “overhear” conversations going on. This group of people is talking about work, another politics, another their kids, etc. You can walk up and join in, comment, or listen. As you do, you get to know each person a little bit better. As you contribute to the conversation, they get to know you a little better too. At the end of the night, you know each one better than you did before. You’re “connection” to them, or relationship with them has changed. It has become a little bit deeper. You now know them on a different “level”. Depending on what they said, your opinion or respect for them may also be better or worse than it was before!
This is facebook!

Now imagine you are at a huge convention center. It’s an open social event. The room is filled with people from every country, background, industry and social you can imagine! There are world famous speakers, celebrities, rock stars (I define those much differently than most, but that’s another story!), CEO’s, best selling authors, mom’s, dad’s, grandparents, scientists, politicians, kids, you name it! As you walk around the room, again you have the opportunity to “hear’ many conversations, and to tune in to those that interest you. You can just listen, or you can walk up, introduce yourself and engage in the conversation. As you listen, you learn. You learn more about them, and about the topic being discussed. You can decide that you really like them, or that you don’t! You can quickly move along and listen, hear, learn, meet and connect with as many people as you choose! No matter how “important” they are, whether you have a mutual friend or not!
That is twitter!
I’ll resist the urge to say “are you kidding?’ if you are still thinking “why?” at this point! I believe that life is about learning, and connecting with others, so it’s hard for me to imagine anyone not seeing the value in that! But, let’s just say you “get the value” from a personal standpoint, but are still unsure about it’s value in business.
Consider this:
1) you can gain insight from thought leaders in your industry
2) you can gain insight from those in OTHER industries
3) you can meet people with connections in your industry or field of interest
4) you may even hear “trade secrets” from your competitors!
5)you have the opportunity to be “heard” in that crowded room as well!

I will expound on the last point, because it is so important!
Consider 2 things:
1) the internet is a VERY crowded place! If there are 9 million pages of search results for your business, how do you stand out? How do people choose? By who comes up first or who has the prettiest website? Nope! People search for something to connect with! People will buy from those that they like and trust! If they have had the opportunity to meet and get to know you, they’ll pick you! If not, they will look for someone that they feel like they know! This is the value of blogging! Whether it’s on a “blogsite”, facebook, or twitter or somewhere else. If they can get to “know” you, that moves you out of the crowd!
2) If you had a choice between talking about your business and what you offer in an empty room or a crowded room, which would make more sense? Take your website for example. No matter how many people are “there” at the same time, they might as well be there alone, because they can’t interact. When you email someone, talk to them on the phone, or even meet face to face, you are usually only “talking” to one or two people. When you talk about what you do on facebook, you are in a crowded room! You are in that cocktail party where all of your friends and their friends can hear what you are saying, and learn more about what you do (depending on how many friends your friends have, this can be about 20 times the number of friends you have).
On twitter, you are in that convention center! Now your friends and their friends, and thousands of people you haven’t even met yet can hear your message! This can be million’s (yes, I said millions!) more than the number of people you know!

See the value?

Now for the “how to you find time?”
We find time for whatever we see value in! Whatever we give importance to, we find time for! When was the last time you didn’t have time to brush your teeth? We all have the same amount of time, the question is where you allocate it! How do you use it?
Have you ever stood in line at the grocery store or bank? Or how about the doctor’s office (you could write a dissertation there!)?
With today’s technology, you can “talk” to thousands in seconds right from your cell phone. You can choose to learn and connect with others while you watch desperate housewives (or choose the former over the latter altogether!).
What do you want in life? Is it to learn and grow and contribute to the world around you, create meaningful relationships, have fun, and improve your business? Then steal a few minutes from the dumb stuff you’re doing, and shift it! You do NOT have to waste countless hours doing quizzes, and food fights on facebook! The value is in the connection, the learning and contributing to others! If they are following you, or are your friend, then they want to know you! Give them what they want, graciously receive what they have to offer, and you’ll soon discover that there is more time, and value in life than you realized!

 

Related Posts: