Did you know that social media can greatly hinder your chances of success if you don’t know how to use it correctly?
 
I don’t mean to scare you here but it’s no secret that social media holds tremendous power in the life of a network marketer – for good or for bad.
 
Okay, so you already know how effective the social networks can be in helping you build relationships with prospective customers and reps.
 
You’re probably also familiar with the term Attraction Marketing, which teaches that we all prefer to work with and buy from those we trust, like and respect and whose opinions we value.
 
As you foster relationships with potential customers on the social networks, and your prospects’ trust and confidence in you grows, the likelihood of them buying from you naturally grows as well.
 
All good.
 
But how can your presence on the social networks negatively affect your business? Or can it? Am I just being a drama queen here?
 
I think not.
 
Hardly a day goes by when I don’t see a networker post something on someone’s Facebook wall that basically constitutes shooting themselves in the foot.
 
I’m not even talking about pitching, as much of a turn-off as it may be. The “come check out my website” or “my product is the best product under the sun” type of stuff.
 
I’m talking about the more subtle stuff. Like leaving a comment on someone’s Facebook wall that goes something like this, “Congrats on all your success! I can’t wait till I achieve the same results”, or, “You are an inspiration, you make me believe that if I don’t give up, my dreams too will come true!”
 
That type of stuff.
 
I see it all the time – on my own wall, too…
 
So what’s wrong with these types of comments?
 
Well, there’s nothing wrong with the first part. As long as it’s done with sincerity, it is always a good idea to edify others. It makes them feel good, and it makes you look good for making them feel good. It’s a in-win.
 
It’s the second part that’s problematic:
 
If you write stuff like that on my Facebook wall, what you’re doing is putting me on a pedestall and making yourself look inferior.
 
Who do you think those that read your comment will be most likely to sign up with – you or me?
 
You’re announcing to everyone that you haven’t yet “figured it out”. It’s okay that you haven’t, but there’s no need to broadcast it to the entire world.
 
A rookie is obviously not what your prospects are looking for. They are looking for a Leader.
 
Like it or not, people are always watching you. Especially on the social networks.
 
The question is whether you are presenting yourself as you would like others to see you.
 
Now, what if one of my new reps posts a comment on my Facebook wall (as they often do)…and instead of displaying their insecurity and inexperience for everyone to see, they say something like this:
 
“Hey Lena. Congrats on your award. It was great catching up with you at the event and sharing ideas. See you on tonight’s webinar.”
 
It may seem subtle but it really is the difference between night and day.
 
In this last example here, what the newbie does – because they know how to play their cards right – is they are using their association with me…and they are doing so legitimately, I must add. Yes, they are manipulating their prospect’s perception of them, but there is no deceit here.
 
They’ve simply made a decision to relate to me as an “equal”…to put themselves on the same level.
 
It’s not that “it was great catching up with you at the event and learning from you.” No, “it was great catching up with you at the event and sharing ideas.”
 
The implication is that it was a conversation where we both contributed with something of value.
 
And the person who reading the comment will in their subconscious mind draw the conclusion that you too are a person worth listening to.
 
I call it “success by association”.
 
Now, of course, that’s just one comment on one out of millions of websites online. One comment won’t mean do or die for your business.
 
My point is simply that wherever you go online, you leave footprints. And those footprints are often permanent.
 
Next time think before you type…!
 
 
<----- PS: Feel free to re-tweet, share or "like" this post if you think it can be of help to others...and/or leave me a comment below!

 
 
 
Successfully,
 
 

 
 
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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 at 8:21 pm and is filed under Attraction marketing, Leadership, Mindset, Social Media Marketing, Sponsoring & Recruiting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.