It is easy for anyone to go out and add friends or followers in social media. But what does it take to build an engaged following to support your brand and business? If you stay on top of these three strategies, then your following will communicate with you, respect you and reccommend you to their friends and following.

1. Ask Questions: Instead of talking at your followers or giving them inspirational quotes all the time, ask them questions to engage them in a conversation with you. When you ask someone a question they’re inclined to respond and give their opinion. You’re building relationships. Asking a question can be as simple as putting a question mark on a statement. Lets say you were going to change your facebook status to “Hootsuite is such a helpful tool.” Instead, make it “Hootsuite is such a helpful tool?” Now you’ve created instant conversation because everyone is going to give you their feedback and opinion on Hootsuite.
2. Give Value: This is one that many social media marketers follow, but it’s always a good reminder. Weither you’re sharing your blog posts, articles and videos or someone else’s, you should always be posting and sharing great value with your followers. If you are sharing great value(not spamming some opportunity) then people are going to continuously follow your updates to see what great information you’re going to share next. You’re building a following and respect at the same time.
3. Create a Buzz: Nothing spreads faster in social media than BUZZ. The best way to create a buzz is to start a contest or create hype around something you’re giving away for free. You can a create contest or drawing where the lucky winner will get one of your products for free. The product could be a special report, one of your company’s products or a free business mentoring session with you. You can also host a free webinar or event where you are teaching value or interviewing a respected guru in your niche. Buzz spreads through social media like a Virus. It will build value with your current followers and gain new followers for you too.

To Succeed in Social Media you must have an Engaged following. Keep your followers interested and interacting with you by Asking Questions, Giving Value and Creating a Viral Buzz. Get on the networks and start engaging!!

Let us know you comments and feedback below. What has worked for you in social media and what hasn’t?

Believe in Yourself! I Believe in You!

~Danielle

For awhile now entrepreneurs and marketers have Raved about the benefits of using social media to build your business. When done right, your business can reap amazing results from social media. The trick is, knowing the steps to take to use social media the Right Way. I have found a Simple Three Step process to creating results using social media.

However, there is one thing that every business builder must understand first; Social media is all about community and building relationships. The problem with most marketers that are using social media, is that they view social communities as free classified sites and they view the site’s members as Dollar Signs $$$$. If that’s the way you are viewing your social communites, then you are not going to be very successful. But, if you follow these three simple steps then social media can be an amazing tool for your business.

• Step 1 - Be a Great Listener and Observer:  Before you jump into the commnity, stop and take a look at everything that is happening. What groups have been created around your niche? What are people saying about your niche? Who are the people you should be targeting in your niche? So many people jump in and think that the more people they can expose their opportunity to(aka. spam), the better. That’s NOT the case. Not everyone wants what you have to offer. Your time will be much better spent if you target the people who are interested. Also, take the time to see what they are talking about so you know what it is that they want and need.
• Step 2 – Interact and Give VALUE:  Once you see where you need to be spending your time and what it is that your niche wants, then start talking to them. Start building a relationship and helping them by sharing VALUE(something they can benefit from). Value is NOT simply saying that they NEED your product or opportunity. Value is Sharing, Caring and Helping. Just as you would do for a friend. When you are creating a repor and showing that you are someone of value, you are building trust and respect in the eyes of potential prospects. To create more ineraction, I would also invite them to connect with you on more than one of your social media sites and your blog if you have one.
• Step 3 – Share What You Have to Offer: Now that you’ve created trust and respect, you can share your product and opportunity. Not by throwing in their face like spam, but simply by saying something like,”We’ve been talking a lot about ______. Would it be alright to share something with you that you might benefit from?”  Not only do you already have a great repor with them, you’re presenting your product or opportunity almost as if it’s advice from a friend. Their reaction will be very different than if they they read a tweet or wall post spamming your offer.

The mere fact that social media has become such a huge part of our world shows that what everyone wants is interaction and relationships. No longer do we want to be solicited to, it’s almost insulting. If all you’re doing in social media is soliciting your offer, you’ll be chasing friends away instead of making them. Follow these Three Simple Steps to start rocking the social media world and creating some awesome results in your business.

Believe in Yourself! I Believe inYou!           

~Danielle Zack                              

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