What's your social networking strategy?

[Jim Turner]

One of the first things you need to figure out as a social networker is strategy are you going to use to find new contacts and then, what are you going to do to keep them following you.

Another key question is what platform are you going to use to keep people connected with you and to cultivate your relationship with them.

If you don't consider these items you will be 'wondering around in the social media wilderness' with no plan in hand. Stay tuned for more info around establishing a winning social networking strategy.

Jim

[VZerbee]

I was taught that I should not confuse social networking and social marketing. I use social marketing to attract prospects and customers that I can provide a solution to a problem or challenge they have. Then, I use social networking to build a relationship with these people who I connect with.

Social marketing involves having a presence online with fresh content that is valuable to the visitor in terms of providing information or entertainment in a way that is interesting and enjoyable to read, and then syndicating that content all over the internet with a unique system that will return targeted prospects to my website. I makes a lot more sense to network after you market!

[George Geder]

I guess I'm wandering... LOL.
I'm thinking of having Twitter & Facebook as my core. I'm focusing on Genealogy, Photography, and Photo Restoration. Should I be concerned with the followers 'outside' of my interest areas?

I look forward to the rest of this series on establishing a winning social networking strategy.

Peace,
"Guided by the Ancestors"
http://george-geder.net

[Solveigh]

P.S. Please sorry my poor English.

Kind regards once more

Solveigh

[Solveigh]

My first thought in using social websites was to leave links to build a link popularity for our websites, so that we were be found on google, yahoo, msn, aol and so on. For me it was interesting to see and learn in which way I developed - from one site to the another one, from webkatalogues to (social) bookmarking sites to writing some articles and blogs, to have part on (only some) forums and came then to the social websites like LinkedIn (where I did not more than creating my account), Xing, ecademy, twitter, facebook... In the latest time joined Yasni - a German site to create a web profil. Yasni searches for me all the hundreds and hundreds links in the web, wich i left there and in this way, there is built my profile in the web, what shows, who am I, so that customers, who like to know: "Who is that?" receive an impression - and learn to trust me. My plan? At first I like to learn to use it right. I'm sure not to know all the possibilities I have on this platforms. In this time I'm searching. I don't know yet, in which way I could turn my followers, my network into customers, but I think, it is a question of patience. With the time that the people learn about me, they trust me, they will be customers. Am I right?

Thank you for your question - so I could think about that :)

Kind regards,

Solveigh

[Carol Deckert, Networking Coach]

My strategy is going to be much the same as my offline networking strategy - asking questions and listening for their "pain" and then when I find out what that is, find someone in my network to connect with them to solve their pain. Then continue to keep in touch and share info and add new friends!
Thanks for a great question, Jim
Happy Netweaving,
Carol

[Connor-Ryan]

My strategy is honestly to offer my assistance to others. My best contacts have always come from helping others. GOD puts me where I can learn and do by giving me places to help. Also, my customer list is always built from those I have offered a hand. I am planning on using my six degrees of separation to change lives -- to include mine.