Using Social Media to Expand and Engage your Network
We created a three part series on using your network to get ahead. This is Part Three. For Part One, visit this link. To go get to Part Two, use this link.
Use the right platform for the right connection
Recently, I wrote a children’s book (not yet published but written). A lifelong dream. I wanted to do the whole thing myself because I am frugal and didn’t want to pay for the illustration. I have always enjoyed drawing but am not super proficient at it.
The more I drew, the more I realized I was not the right person to make the illustrations. I got on Fiverr and did some research on a bunch of different people that were illustrators. Some plagiarized, some did drawings in weird styles that didn’t connect with me and there were about 15-20 people that I could have used.
I started with the first professional that was affordable and skilled. It worked! bellamaher became the illustrator. She has been professional and has been willing to work with me to help bring my dream of a book to life.
This story illustrates the different ways people can connect and shows that there are many different platforms to connect on. Make sure you are picking the right platform for the right type of connection.
For instance, one would not get on Pinterest to show off their daughters artwork. Just like a mechanic would not get on Instagram to provide a step by step tutorial on how to rebuild an engine.
When trying to make a connection, use the right platform to help you achieve your final goal.
Share your thoughts, opinions, and ideas on social media
This may seem a little obvious - maybe even a little intrusive into your personal life - but most people don’t get too far out of their comfort zone. They like what they like and aren’t really interested in changing. This is especially true as people get older. One study found that the pathways our brain generates over time have a hard time recircuiting once they are established.
This further engrains the need to teach children at an early age in the path they should go and to encourage people that are set in their ways a nudge a little bit at a time if the course needs correcting. As it relates to staying present on social media, most people are going to hang out with people on social media that they can connect with and relate to their posts, content and information that they share.
If you have a lot of things in common with others in with a similar interest, the connection is made.
Engage with others on social media by liking, commenting, and sharing content
This is simple and can be a great way to get your foot in the door. As you engage with others, beware that the algorithms that govern these social media platforms take all of the information and will start to market with you in what they are seeing as your interests. Don’t be scared about it but just know that if you search for “whale blubber near me” you might see an advertisement for some in the future.
As you engage others' content, especially if they are not internet famous, they will most likely do some research into who is liking, commenting and sharing and reciprocate with your information.
The real question is, when is the right time to start asking for help, a recommendation, some advice, or even a foot in the door. That depends on a lot of things. Feel comfortable that the relationship has developed into one that can produce a favor. Some signs of this might be a DM (direct message) from the other person, them recommending one of your products or endorsing you for a skill. Perhaps even they share some of your content that relates to a similar thing that they are working on.
Do not rush into a favor. Make sure that the benefit is going to be mutual and that both parties are going to be satisfied with a transaction of social barter.
Create a blog or website to attract people who are interested in your niche
The idea of using the internet to get what you want isn’t that far fetched. Obviously there are groups on Facebook or other ways to find people who are interested in similar things.
Another way to develop a relationship with random people is create a website and post information about very specific things that a small group of people are interested in or are searching for. This could be from grapes grown in a specific Italian region to Skiing on your favorite mountain. There are people who are interested in very specific things and as they search, they just might find your information.
A great resource to use to build your own website is Miles Beckler's wealth of information on website creation and digital marketing. Search him on YouTube, he has over 650 videos and he gives away his system that he previously charged money for to help people like you and me get into the world of internet marketing.
There are costs associated with running a website like hosting and the upkeep on your domain. Don’t be blinded by people who tell you that it is free. Self hosting, which is what I recommend, is about $10 a month today (you can get this discounted if you buy in bulk months) and the annual cost on a domain name is about $15-$25.
If you sell things, there are fees associated with that and I purchased a theme to keep my header and footer the same.
hashtags for your business Should Be unique and memorable
If the building of your own website sounds interesting, make sure to get on all the platforms and use all the similar names to your domain. For instance, you can find us on Instagram @bettering.dads and on facebook.com/bettering.dads.
We have #'s too. #betteringdads #betteringdad #kidscreate
In your owner business realms, create your own hashtags that lead people back to your information. Much like your personal network, your social network should be like a spider web. Everything should connect and be accessible from all platforms. It would take many clicks to get from one side of your information to the other but the idea is that there is a methodical connection between your posts on Facebook, your website and the external links that give additional information.
What We Learned
We discussed why it is important to use the right platform for the right type of connection. We also discussed being expressive so others know your values. You don't have to give away the family secrets but be open about who you are.
We also mentioned commenting, liking and sharing content from people that you are wanting to connect with. Don't be scared to reach out to strangers online, if they are not interested, they will either tell you or not respond.
We also briefly explained the potential to create your own platform and with that, social accounts with your own specific hashtags. Your social network should be a spider web that links people back to your information.
Don't forget, this is Part Three. For Part One, visit this link. To go get to Part Two, use this link.