I dont think any of is would believe it if we were told years ago that we would all be connected on this digital wired and wireless web of information called the internet and then morphed into social marketing. It is amazing how much exposure individuals, companies, groups, etc get by a simple post on Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogger, PinInterest, etc etc. The internet and social marketing has changed the game when it comes to sales. Customers have more information then the salespeople do at times at their fingertips. The information is instantaneous. And is usually accurate. This poses some major advantages for us salespeople and one small disadvantage. Or maybe two if you are a knucklehead. In my experience, LinkedIn is one of the most usual sales tools on the internet. I was an early adopter of LinkedIn. My URL is http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawncreilly. There aren't many of them that are that easily defined cause I was signed up when I believe there was about 500k people on there. In any event, LinkedIn has sooo much information and accurate info. If you aren't frugal and are willing to pay the 100 bucks a month for the premium package the searching capabilities are awesome. Here is an example. You can search for specific contacts, what companies, verticals, job description, where they worked before, what they did before, search on "stuff" written in their profile, etc etc. Where else can you get that kind of info. In addition, you are able to privately Inmail those contacts to ask them for a quick 5 minutes of their time to chat about what it is your solutions can help them with. And remember, if they didn't want to be contacted AT ALL they wouldn't have their information in there. So, try and use the tool. It takes time and patience to master it. Heck, I haven't mastered it just yet. Another useful tool LinkedIn has been for me is watching a TIMELINE. A timeline of where contacts are currently and what companies they are moving to etc etc. This way you always have a tab on where your good customers or more importantly prospects are working. Another way of using Social Media is writing on social marketing sites and publications. Blogs, postings on FB etc. However, this is where I talk about a quick negative point and not to be a knucklehead. If you are going to start writing and getting your name out there you better be careful on what you publish on the internet. You would be surprised how fast information travels and if that picture, or that post that you did not want in circulation gets out you are DONE! So don't be foolish with especially Facebook. Its not only a place where 1 billion people communicate with everyday, it is also a place that your customers, prospects, employers and future employers will be looking at you for your entire life. Now, if all of the content is great content and you are posting positive things and useful content it will help you flourish your career 10 times over. Start a blog, get on LinkedIn, join groups on LinkedIn, voice your ideas on the internet, clean up or start getting active on Facebook. These things are essential for you to advance your career and move onto the next level. Quick story, I was interviewing for a new job just recently (I got the position) and the first thing the interviewer did, my now boss, was to pull out his iPad and started browsing the internet looking at my profile on LinkedIn and Facebook etc and asked me questions specific to my profiles. So believe you me, people are looking, reading and writing all day on social media. Got for it and share your thoughts with me.
Our hurricane cleanup is well under way and MAJOR progress has been made. I want to thank all of the volunteers and EMS service people that have helped during this tragic event. God bless!!
Shawn
sr@ShawnCReilly.com
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