Building a strong, personal connection with your contacts can be much easier than you think! Social Media can be your best friend for getting to know your contacts. Stalk them, carefully, I know that sounds crazy but it works.
Look at their Facebook, peruse their LinkedIn, and check out their Twitter. It’s so important to get to know the people you could potentially be doing business with!
Maybe you notice a potential client is skiing in Vermont. THEY posted about it. Reach out and tell them “You’re right near my favorite coffee shop on earth! You’ve got to try the chai latte. Tell Mario that Karen says hello!” Building that connection with your contacts is pure gold, and providing them with advice outside of the business world let’s them know you’re interested in them personally. Find something you have in common and start the conversation.
Maybe they’ve checked in to a hot yoga class and you have a funny hot yoga story.
Maybe they wrote a blog post that you can share with YOUR tribe.
Maybe they’re speaking at a conference you’ve been dying to attend.
Doing your homework will impress your new contact, they’ll know that you’ve been paying attention, reading their blogs, and staying connected to them. It makes you stand out from the crowd of people who tell a presenter “Nice talk.” Get the courage to walk up to that presenter and say “HEY! I loved our talk, and it really reminded me of a blog post you wrote a few months back and…” you get the picture. That conversation is much more memorable.
There are so many incredibly easy ways to stand out from the crowd. Instead of writing on a contact’s Facebook wall for their birthday, take five minutes to handwrite them a birthday card! It’s so rare to receive snail mail these days and it can make someone’s day. Get their newsletters? I bet their mailing address is on it. Don’t be afraid to slide your business card in there too with your contact information.
Then check out their LinkedIn profile. Did you go to the same University? Did you both work at McDonald’s in high schoo? Find that personal connection and take advantage of it. Use it as a conversation starter to talk to a contact you may never have crossed paths with. If your contact sees how much time you’ve put into getting to know them, they will be inclined to want to get to know you.
Set aside just a half hour a few times a week and get to know your contacts. You can thank me later! Let me know if you’ve found a fun way of using social media to get to know your audience better, share in the comments below, I’d love to hear about it.
Also, CLICK HERE to check out my FREE video series and get YOUR LinkedIn ready to be seen by contacts trying to stalk YOU! 😉
Last week I gave you a challenge and for those who accepted it, you should be right smack in the middle of it now!
I trust you are still working hard at committing to 30 minutes a day to reach your pot of gold. How’s it going? Have you found your groups? Have you reached out to your recent connections? Those just joining us click here to find out what we are talking about and join in!
Hard-workers, keep doing what you are doing, because today I want to add another layer of LinkedIn Leverage and show you how to find Targeted Leads.
[Tweet “Think traditional marketing. Think trade show. Think solid, real connections.”]
Follow me step-by-step as I walk you through how to find targeted leads on LinkedIn to narrow down your prospecting. Ready to find your gold?!
Step One: Research keywords and phrases for the prospects you have in mind. Brainstorm: What’s their title? Their job function? The size of their company? What skills do you want them to have? Name the keywords they will list as their expertise or in their job description.
Step Two: Click on “advanced” to the right of the search bar. Fill in as much information as you can from your brainstorm above. Take a look at the choice: “current” vs “current or past”. Most likely you want them to be currently working at that title and occupation, but if you are looking to only network or reach out for advice then “current or past” may be the way you want to go. For now choose 1st degree connections only. This will keep the pool narrow to begin with. Take a look on the left side of the screen in the white bar. It will show the numbers of people, based on relationship and location, that turned up in the search results.
For example, see the screenshot on the left of a quick search. 11 first connections is a fantastic first start. 3200 2nd connections might be a little much sort through, so add a few more terms. Make them local – possibly you want to be able to meet them for coffee if it’s a potential partnership idea, maybe you want to narrow their title, or add another keyword to the mix to really target your search.
When I add another keyword my 1st connections results reduce to 6, and 2nd connections to 1100.
Step Three: Pick your three favorite searches and SAVE them. Click save search in the upper right of the page, name it, and choose how often you would like to receive an email alert with new results. Be sure to click save. (Need more detailed instructions? Click here!)
Voila! LinkedIn will deliver warm leads directly to your inbox!
Step Four: Head back to your LinkedIn 30 minutes a day habit and focus on this lead list, you generated from your searches today. Send them a message about their networking goals, comment on their posts and updates, or find them on Twitter.
See… you’re already expanding your horizons!
Is your advanced search turning up good leads? Or maybe you need help brainstorming keywords? It’s what I do, and I love to do it. Message me any Q’s and I’d be glad to help.
As always please connect with me here and let me know how it’s going. To your success!
Anyone who’s been reading my blog knows this. I don’t stop talking about LinkedIn. The reason? Because LinkedIn is where I find my high end clients. Yep those pesky elusive rascals that we all need to sustain our business. These amazing ideal clients that understand the need and pay for our best crafted work feel sometimes as elusive as a magical unicorn. But not with LinkedIn, because LinkedIn is a treasure map leading right to the pot of gold.
I love LinkedIn for this, and today I am going to take you on a journey, leading you step by step, until you love it too!
[Tweet “LinkedIn is a treasure map leading right to the pot of gold.”]
The Challenge: (should you choose to accept it) Spend 30 minutes a day on LinkedIn for the next 2 weeks.
Pick your start day (today!), mark your calendar and spend the next 2 weeks Monday through Friday, 30 minutes each day following the steps I outline below. At the end of those 2 weeks email me and tell me about your new clients. I promise you the pot of gold does exist.
The Map:
Step 1: Connect with me of course! Just click here (1 minute) The reason? Because I have thousands of followers that will put you that much closer to a 2nd degree connection with your future ideal client.
Step 2: Make sure your profile is spruced up, cleaned up, and looking great. (30-60 minutes) Just follow the tips in my FREE LinkedIn Stars video. (Note: LinkedIn Stars is no longer available.)
Step 3: Search for and join 3 geographically local networking groups. (10 mins) Click here for an example.
Step 4: Join 5 other groups you are interested in. (20 mins) The reason? Because that’s where you find likeminded people! With a common interest think how much easier striking up a conversation will be. You know you’ve been to a party where there are people who share your interests vs a party where there aren’t. Which one did you walk away from making more connections and friends?
Step 5: Start your LinkedIn Healthy Habits. (5 minutes) Everyday, Monday through Friday, post an update. This can be a blog post you have already written for your website, curated content you have found that you would love to share, even an inspiring quote with a comment from you will do the trick.
Step 6: Continue your LinkedIn Healthy Habits. (15 minutes) Everyday, Monday through Friday, spend 15 minutes – yes you can set a timer- commenting on other people’s posts in your chosen groups from Steps 3 & 4.
Step 7: Continue your LinkedIn Healthy Habits. (10 minutes) Everyday, Monday through Friday, comment on one of the LinkedIn updates that show up in your thread.
Step 8: Strategically connect. (20 minutes) On day 5 and day 10 of your treasure hunt reach out. In the top black bar hover over Network, click Contacts, then sort by NEW. Focus on the last few people who have connected with you. Scan their profiles and pick out a few interesting details. Then message them and say something like: “So nice to connect with you! I see you are interested in helping people cope with negative emotions through the use of essential oils. I have always been fascinated by that natural power myself,** and I do wish I knew more about it. What are your LinkedIn networking goals? I’d love to know so I can connect you with others in my circle who have the same interests as well. There’s so much power and resources in connecting. Thanks for taking the time!”
**please change to reflect their specific interest or business niche
Step 9: Strategically connect, again. (10 mins) On day 5 and day 10 take a few minutes to check out the members of your local group. Scan their profiles. Look for those who you feel might be a good client or potential business partner and check to see if they have an active Twitter presence. Then connect with them on Twitter and retweet one of their tweets.
Step 10: Check your messages. (0 – 5 mins) Everyday make sure you are taking a moment to check your LinkedIn inbox. Be sure to answer every email that comes your way, and always be looking for ways to take the conversation off the social treasure map and into the real world (ie phone call, local chat over coffee). I always like to say, you never know what can happen!
There you have it, your pot of gold awaits. I can’t wait to hear how it goes! As always connect with me and update me on your progress or ask me a question and let me help you tackle your fears!
When you meet that new client first ask yourself: “Are you showing up the way a successful business owner would show up?”
[Tweet “Are you showing up the way a successful business owner would show up?”]
You need to “show up” right down to your shoes:
Make a great first impression BEFORE you meet them with a professional headshot.
Look like an expert by using the general dress code (just a bit more formal) of your new client’s office/industry to plan your outfit.
Talk like an expert avoiding “maybe” and “perhaps”. Instead use stronger words like “I believe” or “I would like”.
Act like an expert. Your body language shapes who you are. Walk and stand tall, sit proud, and own your business expertise.
I’m a Social Media Brand Strategist. I help my clients, like you, go big with their business goals using Social Media as the launchpad.
Together, we work to be sure that your digital presence is expert-worthy.
But just like everything in life, the rest is up to them. I challenge you to tackle one of the steps above in the coming week.
Schedule an appointment for a quick photog session to get those headshots done.
Start saving, or set aside time for a shopping trip, to buy that one power outfit that will make you feel amazing.
Practice your pitch, in front of the mirror, in front of family, in front of friends. It doesn’t matter, just start talking.
Or take 20 minutes and watch the fantastic and inspirational TED Talk by Amy Cuddy regarding body language and how two minutes of one specific practice can literally change your life.
As always I would love to hear which item you picked and how you plan to make it happen – tell me so I can help along the way! Come join my new LinkedIn Group and lets talk about it. CLICK HERE to join.
Unless you’re stalking your exes, let people know you’re interested in them!
I’m talking about LinkedIn here. Letting people know that you’ve viewed their profile is a good thing. Viewing other people’s profiles on LinkedIn will make them interested in YOU, and maybe start an interest that leads to business: a business lead, a business partnership, important business related information.
[Tweet “Letting people know that you’ve viewed their profile is a good thing.”]
LinkedIn has a very robust feature, the free version included, that even the most casual LinkedIn user can and should use to their advantage.
The feature I’m referring to: “Who’s Viewed Your Profile”.
One of the first things you might want to do when you see who has viewed you is make an inquiry using the search feature: Was it someone in a related business field? Someone who might want to offer you a job? Buy your product? Maybe the viewer was curious what you have to say on a topic? Research them right back and then send them a message, based on what information you gather!
Don’t be shy, most experts and powerful LinkedIn users agree: “Viewing somebody’s profile was like knocking on somebody’s door. You view me, I view you and then we have some common ground to talk about.” Udi Milo (LinkedIn’s lead redesign expert)
A bonus this new redesign offers is the opportunity to see where your viewers found you. Did they come from a Google Search, LinkedIn keyword search, from a school you attended or maybe a company you worked for?
If you notice a trend you will now know:
a) what specifically you are doing that IS working b) where you might want to focus more time c) common interests you can use to your advantage when reaching out.
After checking out who’s checking you out, wander down the Who’s Viewed Your Profile page a bit and there you will find a list of action items crafted specifically to increase your profile views. So simple, just click and follow the instructions! It really is like taking candy from a baby.
Take 5 minutes, right now, and jump on over to LinkedIn. Log in see who’s viewed you and then click on one of the recommended actions LinkedIn offers you.
In just 5 minutes you can literally gain a new contact, improve your profile, learn about (and join) a new group! All of which will lead you to better connections, future business leads, and help extend your social media reach as you shout your expert status to the world.
People are “knocking on your door” it’s time to let them in and connect!
While you’re there, if we haven’t already connected – connect with me!
Ready to be a LinkedIn Star? CLICK HERE for a free webinar.
“You are not a finished product. If you don’t keep evolving, you start dying” – Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn
I recognize you… You’ve taken a ton of online courses, from which you pull a little here a little there, but every single one is waiting to be “finished”. You buy book after book, your shelves are full, your Kindle is packed, your nightstand might topple over any minute. You cringe when you buy another online course, sign up for another webinar, purchase another business book, because you have about 150 yet to finish.
Here’s the deal, it’s OK! In fact it’s more than ok, it’s necessary. You’re an entrepreneur, a business person, and to be your most successful you have to be continually learning. In fact, “always learning,” is consistently in the top ten traits listed for successful entrepreneurs everywhere, and I doubt if I have read an article on entrepreneurial success without it being mentioned. Repeat after me: “I am an entrepreneur, I am continually learning.”
[Tweet “I am an entrepreneur, I am continually learning”]
So today I write to give you permission, plain and simple. Permission to buy that next book, sign up for that next webinar, opt-in to that e-course. Because, I firmly believe, even if you take just ONE single idea away from it you got your money’s worth. I can hear you thinking, “Sure Karen, that’s easy to say about the courses and books I have finished, but what about those I haven’t?” Well first let me tell you, “I’m with you!” I have that list, that stack, same as you. But before we even come close to being able to tackle it we must accept that it will always be there in some form or fashion because of who we are. With that acceptance comes the power to be proactive.
One simple tip I’d like you to try to incorporate into your busy day:
Schedule just a little bit of time each day to get better, to learn. Maybe it’s the 20 minutes you have before the lights go out at night, or the 15 minutes waiting for the train in the morning, or 30 minutes on your lunch break. Schedule it, give yourself permission to stop “producing” and to learn, and slowly tackle that stack of soon-to-be thought currency.
“To be great, you have to continue to learn.” According to Simon Reynolds, one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs. Watch his 4 minute interview, about efficiency, productivity and learning, HERE.
We are only as rich as the ideas that we have and you never know where your next great idea will come from…it just might be in that webinar you have bookmarked to buy.
What’s your next course, book, or learning tool that you have coming up? Share it here in the comments below so we can all benefit.
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