Building Real Relationships…in the World of Online Business

Upon the initial assessment, growing your business through social media is easy. It seems like all you need to do is sign up for an array of accounts, start posting and in no time you’ll enjoy a surplus of new leads, great referrals and a new community of consumers. Well, in one way, it is that simple … and, it’s free.

However, there is no way to overestimate the importance of the key factor in the success of your social media endeavors – and that factor is time. Time is, of course, money, and there is just no getting around the fact that putting in the hours in the only way to build the necessary authentic relationships and lasting connections.

Of course, a company like RjM that specializes in social media can offer valuable guidance, such as how to engage current and potential customers, cultivate genuine relationships, craft intriguing and appropriate content, and establish a community. But there simply is no shortcut to creating those relationships, and relationships are at the core of social media. Relationships are created by one-to-one personal interaction and conversation. This needs to be your number-one focus.

A platform to stand on

After putting in the time, the other crucial component to leveraging social media is a website that facilitates your business in building those relationships. Your website should be the hub around with all your social media efforts spin – sharing information, creating the potential for dialog and bringing you together with your customers, partners and friends. It should be packed with relevant content that motivates people to connect with you or your business. And whichever social media site someone starts from, it should be easy to get to you – and start a conversation.

This magic fix

But remember, the technology is secondary. It is the serious investment of time by you and your team, joining into conversations and building relationships, that makes the difference. Ultimately, people want to buy from other people, people they trust, people with whom they have a connection.

Business transactions can and do happen on or because of Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. You can enjoy the same scope and influence as that of a traditional marketing campaign by leveraging the power of your businesses’ “fans.” You can utilize the power of your online community to grow your customer base and drive quantifiable results. But that is only after relationships are forged. A “magic fix” for making social media work for your business does exist; it’s time and interaction.