Social Media: Relationships not Advertising

Have you ever gone to a car dealership excited about the potential prospects of that new car you’ve been dreaming of only to have that balloon of excitement deflated by the commotion of multiple salespeople ascending on your position? Though we all know that salespeople are there to help and empower us with the information we need to make the right decision, we also know that they are paid commission and paid to provide just enough information to make the sale.

The fact is, consumers are doing more research, and are feeling more empowered when they go to spend every dime of their money. Often, they know what they want, the only missing piece of the puzzle is putting a face with the product. Social media allows sales people to do just that.

Social Media provides you with an outlet to share your life, express your expertise, and make meaningful and relevant connections with friends and potential clients. How many of your friends know what you do? How many would recommend you if they did? The answer is likely most, if not all, and social media allows you a comfortable environment to do that.

5 Things You Need For A Complete Profile

With all of the social networking site, blogs and websites the #1 thing you can do to get the most out of them even if you aren’t actively using them is to set up a complete profile.  If I don’t know who you are then why would I want to find out more about you and most importantly do business with a “ghost”

1. Make sure you have a current professional photograph.  I can’t tell you how many times I am out and about and someone recognizes me from my photo on my blogs.  It does happen!
2. Complete contact information : at least your email address and if you are comfortable also a good contact phone number.  I get referrals all the time by phone.  Not everyone is as good on email for best form of contact.
3. What is your job description ( what do you do)  How can we do business if I don’t know what you do or how I can help your business grow.
4. Testimonials or people that can vouch for  your work ethic and performance.
5. Interests – You need some sort of way that people can “connect” with you and have something in common to relate to.

If you complete these steps you have a great beginning to being successful online with all  your social networks and blogging.

Twitter For Beginners

What is Twitter and Why Do People Care What I am Doing?

Twitter has many uses for both personal and business. It is a micro-blog that you can use to interact with customer, broadcast news and blogs and easily communicate with friends and family.

At this meetup we will learn
-Why Twitter is Useful
-Networking with Twitter
-Twitter Tips

We will have @parnellk63, @sonnygill, @naomadoriguzzi who will assist you with ALL your twitter FAQ’s. With a combined 10,048 followers and 18,688 tweets(updates) as of 3/13/09 they have shown they have definitely learned how to use twitter effectively.

Afterwards you will be able to ask them your questions on making it successful tool for your business in our open Q&A.

Hampton Roads Internet Marketing and Technology Group

Hampton Roads Internet Marketing and Technology Meetup

If you are in the Hampton Roads area ( Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg) we would love to have you join our new group that was started in February 2009.  The main focus of The Hampton Roads Internet Marketing and Technology Meetup is to bring together the locals in the area to learn, network and assist with building our businesses online and through technology.

There is so much out there online that I know we can bring more awareness to the area and learn from each other!

Join to get information on the latest meetups – they fill up fast! Our next one is scheduled for April 2, 2009 at 6:30pm on Twitter for Beginners.  And although it is already full we will also be live streaming the event and then later posting the link for those that can’t make it.