Sunday, December 2, 2012

Please don't do this if you want to succeed in growing your business with social media!

Have you ever been on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and other social media sites and you just want to scream because certain people are constantly throwing up all over you on why you should buy their products?  Post after post after post on "this is the greatest thing since frozen pizza."  Let me ask you a question.  How successful do you think that person's business is?  How many people have you met that do this consistently and successfully acquire and retain new customers?

Well I can tell you from experience that everyone I know that subscribes to this thought are both not successful and normally out of whatever business they're in in no time.  Why?  Quite simple.  It doesn't work!  Period!

There's an old saying that says "people love to buy but they hate to be sold."  How many times have you been to a store, a mall, car dealership, or whatever and you're constantly harassed by someone following you around saying "can I help you."  Now I know it's their job and most of them are on commission but come on folks.  We'll ask when we need help wouldn't you agree?

So why is it that people who detest salespeople who do that to us when we go out do that very same thing on the internet!  Is it because we think "well I'm not in front of them, Ron, so it's different."  Or "they don't have to read it."  Or "they can just ignore it."  Well you're right on all 3 counts.  I'm not in front of them.  And I don't have to read it and I can ignore it; but, what impression do I have of that person if I'm doing these 3 things.  Come on people!

Now, if I'm trying to earn your business wouldn't it be more powerful if I asked a question that prompted thought rather than pleading with someone to buy something.  Hmmmm.  

If I was selling cameras which method do you think gives me more credibility and a better chance at a new customer?  Method A:  "This great camera has all the features you want and I have the best price and all the other brands stink." Method B:  "What are the most important things you look for when purchasing a camera."

Who's being the salesperson and who's being the consultant?  Now let me say this.  I'm not saying never post something about a product or service.  It's perfectly fine to post something that says you have a great product, service or deal.

But remember what I said about people who love to buy but hate to be sold.  And the person that's informative about products/services and not trying to sell them are the ones who are rapidly growing and retaining new customers.   And the one who is constantly selling are the ones who we're blocking and unfriending.

So if you have a business and you're using social media to acquire new customers are you the one that people look forward to seeing their posts or are you the one that people are blocking?  Think about it.





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