Can you utilize People Skills with your Social Media usage? This is a question I am often asked. My answer is absolutely! Your BRAND Depends On It.
Here are five (5) ideas on utilizing people skills online. I have also included a list of books that are great for developing people skills.
It has often been said by many people that people skills are the most important skills you can develop, yet most of us spend very little time developing them. No matter what business you are in, you should absolve yourself to the fact that you are in the people business. Develop those skills and utilize them online every chance you get.
TIP #1 Facebook Birthdays
How many of you get online daily and acknowledge your friends birthday? This is one of the best things you can do to utilize your people skills. It only takes a few minutes in the morning or even later in the evening to say “Happy Birthday!” I promise you the vast majority of your friends will be so happy you did. People rather they want to admit it or not love the acknowledgement of their birthday. Some will even say thank you!
TIP #2 Talk to your Online Friends about THEM
Too many of us online get caught up talking about our favorite subject US. I encourage everyone of your to stop talking about yourself and talk to your friends online about them. If your favorite subject is YOU, it only stands to reason their favorite subject must be Yes, you guessed it THEM. Ask them about their families, many of these online friends you have not seen since high school. Or you have just met them. Comment on their pictures. If you will talk about them they will like your posts all day long.
TIP #3 Help them Solve Challenges
Search through Social Media Outlets and solve challenges for your friends. This is especially true if your business is something that could help them. DO NOT charge them for the solving of a challenge online, just provide them with some good input some assistance so that they will learn to know your expertise, then trust you, and they already like you so, when the time is right they will utilize your services. I work in BRANDING, I am constantly looking to help my friends with some tip or trick that will allow them to BRAND themselves, they come back and ask for my services all the time.
TIP #4 DO NOT Constantly Sell Them
You are not a used car salesman, you are a friend of theirs! Be mindful of this. Too many people see the internet as a chance to make money and it is. But more importantly it is a place to build a relationship with customers and potential customers. Sales will come, as long as you respect people online, just as you should in person. You have to find the need that your product or service can take care of. This may take months or even years, its OK, unlike traditional Brick and Mortar businesses, you have the opportunity to build a relationship with them everyday, not just when they come in the door. Always think WIN/WIN or Go Home. I love this saying and constantly remind my clients of it.
TIP #5 Engage Them More
How does one do this, Pictures, Questions and Thought provoking ideas. Facebook was founded on the idea that people would be able to see pictures, Check out what gets commented on the most, its pictures and video’s. Use these, people love to see things visually. Show them how your product or service would benefit them. Use Poll Questions to find out what your friends are looking for. Ask thought provoking questions, this will engage them and allow you learn from them.
Its important to develop your people skills, here are a few books I would Recommend you read.
1. Positive Personality Profiles by Dr. Robert Rohm
2. How to have Power and Confidence in Dealing with People by Les Giblin
3. Bringing out the Best in People by McGinnis
4. How to win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
5. How I Raised myself from Failure to Success in Selling by Bettger
I trust you will take the time to better your online people skills, Your BRAND Depends On It
Shawn Western