People want to do business with people they know, like and trust. Finding ways to connect with people and share something of value with them will help bridge the gap. Social networks are perfect for achieving this. Be sure to keep in mind that building trust and building relationships online takes time.

You don’t want to be known as someone who is always trying to sell you something. Instead, make yourself known as someone who has a lot of knowledge and experience to offer. The way you can achieve this through social media is by participating in group discussions and helping others. People will get used to seeing your name and, in many cases, your photograph. You can also start conversations by asking questions. Frame your questions in a way that encourages people to respond. For example, which question would you be more inclined to answer? 1) I have a great product that can help you save a lot of money and buy my stuff! or 2) I noticed last week that Jim K. was asking for suggestions on how to connect with healthcare professionals in Canada. I posted some ideas. Today I would appreciate advice from him on how I can connect with massage therapists in New England.

My favorite Social Networks are Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Ning and Fast Pitch Networking. Remember that Social Networks are for building relationships, not for selling things to people. Sell ​​them on YOU, not your product! Your first step is to select a social network and set up your profile. Be sure to take a few minutes to complete your profile and add your photo. This will make a world of difference. You don’t have to spend a lot of time on social media every week. In fact, you may want to delegate a short 30-minute session 1-3 times a week as part of your business development strategy.

Once you’ve set up your profile, spend some time exploring the site. Many Social Networks have groups or forums that attract Niche groups. Participating in groups and forums that appeal to your niche is the perfect way to build relationships and grow your business. A word of caution, just like in “the real word”, you should use common sense and good judgment. Most social networks allow you to exchange emails from within the system and therefore you do not need to provide your personal information unless you wish to do so.

A great way to drive traffic to your blog or website is to have your web address in your profile signature. This is considered an acceptable and unobtrusive way to market your business and also gives people a way to learn more about each other’s products and services. Once you know how to get around, you may want to start a group discussion. This will enlighten you and make it easier to build relationships and therefore future business and referrals. Become a go-to person and an expert in your field. Set yourself apart by adding audio and video to your social media profiles and at least once a week post an answer to a question or participate in discussions.