Really Connecting with Groups

Social Media can become a prospecting tool for you. Take the time to learn about it.

Then, pick one day a week, like Monday, to invite people to a business networking meeting that you attend in order to meet face-to-face.

 

Groups really connect people.

FACEBOOK GROUPS:

If you’re using Facebook to increase your business, keep it professional but friendly. Facebook is moving from just a social utility that connects you with friends to a platform where business “groups” can connect and have discussions.

Businesses are now using Facebook to not only connect but to refer business services to each other.

If you have a business networking group that meets on a regular basis for lunch or dinner, think about starting a business networking group on Facebook. If you give several people Admin privileges, they can help monitor it. I would suggest that about every 48 hours, one of you should start a discussion in reference to business or business networking. Invite all your business friends to join your new group online and watch how fast the relationships grow.

LINKEDIN:

LinkedIn also has groups. You can join multiple business groups on LinkedIn. However, I feel it's better to focus on maintaining a pro-active presence in just a few groups that are your primary interest. That way you can get to know the members. Again, I suggest finding time to meet with some of the members of the group face-to-face, if possible. If it's a local group, you could invite everyone to meet after-hours at a local gathering place or for a cup of coffee or suggest attending a networking event in order to meet.

We have joined LinkedIn business networking Groups like “Tulsa Networking Professionals” and “Connected Indianapolis.” You can post discussions in your group such as:

 “What is the greatest book you’ve ever read about business?”

 “What kind of networking events are your favorites?”

 “How is business similar to the TV show Survivor?”

 “Describe what you do for a living in 6 words or less.”

"What's more important in a job, passion or experience?"

A post like this will create great discussions. Once a week, (I like Mondays,) invite them to your regular business networking meeting. 

Here are some Social Media Etiquette Tips to help you get started on the right foot:

     Don't Blog dump - that's when you use a group as just a place to dump your blog every days.

                  Don't post any kind of negative comments or complain about people.
                 
                  Don't spam people with business promotions and sales messages.

                  Don't over share - about anything. We really don't want to know. Seriously.

                  Don't be a Post Hog - Posting too frequently is worse than not posting at all.

                  Don't  share too many videos & posters.

                  Don't be too quick to judge. It takes a while to get to know people online.

                  Don't be annoying and clutter every ones inbox with meaningless posts.

                  Do say thank you for comments on your posts.

                  Do be respectful. Remember that there is a real person behind the post.

                  Do follow the rules that the group has set. 

                  Do add a profile picture. We like to "see" who we're talking to. 

                  Do demonstrate patience, kindness and humor. 

These are just a few etiquette tips to help you. The most important thing to remember is to be thoughtful and use common sense. If you mess up, just apologize. No big deal.