Social Media – Is It More Fun To Watch Or To Play?

Articles, Sales Tools

When it comes to sports, with the exception of College Football and the NBA finals, I would much rather be an active participant than to just sit back and watch others play. I’m the same way with selling. Somehow, watching others make sales instead of me has never been my favorite pastime. In the world of Social Media, the same two preferences exist. You are either somebody who sits back and watches what others are doing or you are a person who jumps right in and actively plays the game.

Personally, I don’t consider the act of posting updates to social networks as being truly participatory but, it beats doing nothing so I will give you points for at least being a passive participant 🙂 An active participant seeks opportunities to engage. That being said, if you would prefer to watch or be passive, more power to you!

I’m constantly amazed and amused by watcher activity that I see on social media ….

  • The other day I was followed by somebody who follows 20,000 AND had 20,000 followers. This individual had never sent even one tweet of his or her own!
  • I am regularly followed by folks, or asked to connect with them, on all three major social networks and when I accept their overture and then attempt to start a dialogue, I rarely hear anything back?
  • If you expect people to use common manners like saying “thank you”, you may want to consider lowering your expectations.
  • Tweet out a desperate plea for advice or assistance and then watch the responses … not roll in.

Sales Results LLC has joined forces with SEN Technologies to become Nimble Social CRM’s first Idaho Authorized Solutions Partner. Together we will provide our clients with full CRM needs assessment, recommendations, implementation, and on-going support and training including selling skills and social media applications. Don’t yet “get” CRM and/or Social? We’ve got you covered!

Engagement implies a conversation. While retweeting someone’s update or sharing their content will earn you big points in the Twitterverse, it is still not a conversation. Certainly, it might just help to facilitate one but, you must be take it to the next level. It must be personal, real, and directed to that individual.

Selling and networking are both highly competitive contact sports. He who controls the ball, and generally has the most touches, wins. In order to do that effectively, you must be willing to actively reach out to others and engage. Communication has never been a one-way street. Relationships are rarely built with yourself.  It takes two to tango. Social media is a phenomenal tool for discovering potential new relationships. It can be equally powerful when it comes to nurturing them. Social media was never designed to be a substitute for conversation, discovering mutual interests, and then taking those interests to the next level. It is meant to augment, not replace, these activities.

Thanks for visiting!

Craig

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Craig M. Jamieson

Craig M. Jamieson

Managing Member at Adaptive Business Services
Craig M. Jamieson is a lifelong B2B salesperson, manager, owner, and a networking enthusiast. Adaptive Business Services provides solutions related to the sales professional. We are a Nimble CRM Solution Partner. Craig also conducts training and workshops primarily in social selling and communication skills. Craig is also the author of "The Small Business' Guide to Social CRM", now available on Amazon!
Craig M. Jamieson

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