This is part of my series where I invite guest bloggers to post on a topic of their choosing related to social media. Not only does it give me a break, but it allows for some fresh ideas. The opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Inkling Media.
Today’s post is from my friend Neil Rhen. Neil works in sales, in a highly competitive field, for Executive Printing. I met Neil via Twitter and have been impressed by the way he takes part in the conversation and isn’t heavy handed about sales.
I started using Twitter in March, 2009 (@NeilRhen) hoping that it would be a way of making new contacts for my work as a salesman. Here are 6 things I have learned about the relationship between sales and Social Media:
- Social Media is, first and foremost, a great social outlet – I’ve met a lot of people I would otherwise probably not have met. Along with meeting people through Twitter, I have attended Tweetups and have also made face-to-face contact with fellow tweeters at networking and Chamber events. In most cases the initial contact is made via Twitter. Many of these people have become part of my social circle.
- Social Media takes away the “cold call†effect – Twitter has helped me make that initial contact that is so fearful for me. I can build relationships through Twitter which will help me make connections for my position in print sales. I no longer need to rely solely on the uncertainty of cold calls for making important business connections.
- It has helped me garner business – Currently I have a number of clients that I met initially through Twitter. I try to build friendly relationships and as a need arises, hopefully they will ask me to do their printing. I believe sales is building good relationships based on trust. The customers I have found via Social Media include web marketing firms, insurance agents, and even a coffee shop.
- Social Media is great at driving web traffic – I am just one of 10 employees at my company, yet I’ve been told that most of the hits on our company website are coming from my Twitter and Facebook accounts. This really brought home to me how much of a benefit Social Media can be. It is very important that Social Media not exist on its own, but that it brings clients and potential clients to our website where they can interact with us on a more “business†sort of level.
- For me, Twitter has been the most effective Social Media tool – I am also a Facebook and Linkedin user but have not found them to be as effective as Twitter. I use Facebook mainly for personal things. I joined Facebook when my son went to Okinawa with the Marines, I figured that would be a good way to stay connected but also found it as a tool to be used to stay connected to what is happening in this area. But overall, Twitter has provided me with the most opportunity for building relationships.
- Twitter is great “word of mouth†for referrals – Once I’ve completed a job for a customer, they will often send out a Tweet thanking me or saying how much they like the product. Twitter is great for sales in that others talk about you when they like what you have done. You can’t buy that kind of promotion and endorsement!
How do you use Twitter and other Social Media platforms in terms of sales? What has been your experience?
