subject: How to Use Social Media to Prospect Like a Pro [print this page] How to Use Social Media to Prospect Like a Pro
Farmville, Caf World, Frontierville is all the rage on Facebook these days. Twitter, LinkedIn, you name it social media is now part the very fabric of our daily lives whether you like it or not. As an entrepreneur you have the opportunity to you these "playgrounds" to grow your business. Have you considered this option? You can still have fun there too. No worries!
Perhaps you have given it a go. No prospects! Shoot! You posted all about your business. Told everyone all about yourself. Gave all kinds of specials. After a month or two you say, "Are you kidding me?!? Absolutely no one took me up on my offers." So then you decide, "This here is for the birds!" And decide growing your business on social media platforms just doesn't work!
Well, hold on a second there! Let's give this some more thought. Ask yourself these questions:
1. Before you began prospecting using social media, did you have a plan?
2. Have you diligently selected your target market?
3. Are you value-added to your target market or are you a salesperson constantly pitching your product and talking all about yourself?
If you answered NO to any of the above questions, then perhaps you have now determined why success has not been bestowed upon you using social media as a tool.
So let's start over here. First, you need to determine your target market. Second, you need to find your "low hanging fruit" within your target market. Third, you find your raving fans already in your target market. Fourth, create a value proposition to meet the needs of your raving fans and low hanging fruit within your target market. Now you are ready to begin prospecting.
Now you are ready to prospect using social media. Armed with your target market and value proposition, you start adding value regularly on FaceBook, Twitter or whatever social media platform you choose. You add links to connect with you on your email signature and all other communications to people. You find out where your target market congregates on social media and you join them. If you are providing valuable content that your target market wants to hear, then you will start to gain "watchers". "Watchers" are people who start to notice the value you are providing; however, they are not quite ready to commit to your offering just yet. That is okay, because if your message is compelling enough, then your raving fans and low hanging fruit will take immediate action while your "watchers" are getting warmed up to you.
It may take 60-90 days or so before your "watchers" start to engage in conversation with you through comments, posts or maybe even a phone call or email. Patience and consistency with the value you provide is key. Before you know it, your lists has grown, you have a following and your business is growing too. Wow! Social media prospecting works after all.
Social Media is part of the fabric of our lives. Whether you like it or not, social media has become apart of our daily lives and you want to leverage it to build your social network.
Join me on my blog to gain additional insights regarding lead generation, social media and more. You can also connect with me on FaceBook or Twitter. How you are Blossoming today?
