By Abida Meerasa | August 30th, 2017
Reaching out to potential clients or customers can seem daunting. However, to build a successful business, it is important to start these conversations and cultivate relationships. Phone networking and social media are common platforms for building these connections, however, they can be a challenge to use successfully.
Effective Phone Networking
While speaking to others over the phone, it is important to stay enthusiastic but genuine at the same time. Although there are many messages you would like to deliver, remember that these are conversations, so listen and take a genuine interest in what the other person needs to say. Respond appropriately to what is being said, rather than focusing specifically on the script and pitch that was designed. It is also helpful to state the purpose of the call, and if it is a bad time, ask for a better time to call back.
Cold calls do not need to be entirely out of the blue. Do research, compile a list of potential leads, and send personalized emails to each of them. Appropriately respond to those who have written back, and a week later, place phone calls to contact those who haven’t. Your call won’t be a complete surprise, and your persistence with be noticed.
Creating Lasting Connections on Social Media
Marketing on social media goes beyond posting attractive photos and promoting eye-catching ads. To create an effective social media campaign, you need to connect with your audience on a personal level. Show your target market that you are more than a brand, product, or company, but actual people interested in hearing the stories of others.
The simplest way to generate engagement on social media is by commenting on other accounts or by responding to comments on your own profile. Businesses and individuals can further connect with their audiences by asking questions, organizing giveaways, creating contests, or establishing social media tags and trends. Some well-known tags that have spread through social media are the “Accent Challenge” and “Ethnicity Tag”. A popular trend that spread through social media is the “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge”. These engagements were effective, because a sense of community was generated.
In order to maximize the effectiveness of social media marketing, it is necessary to take online relationships to in-person. Many YouTuber and Instagram personalities hold meet-and-greets. If a specific location can’t be organized, they often organize live-chats or live-streaming videos on Instagram and Facebook. Online businesses can also connect personally with customers by hosting webinars and organizing pop-up shops.
Building strong relationships over the phone and via social media takes time. It can be discouraging when multiple calls go unanswered, when a social media post has little engagement, or when your pitch is not received well. However, many famous social media personalities took years to build their credibility and platform. When reaching out to customers and clients over the phone, it may take many phone calls before one answers. If a call isn’t successful now, it may be remembered sometime in the future, or perhaps your approach needs to be refined. Nevertheless, whether online, in person, or over the phone, it is necessary to show persistence, patience, and commitment when building relationships.
