Conversation, Relationship, Then Transaction

Those of us who’ve read the Cluetrain Manifesto and experience community working together have no desire to go back to a transaction-based business model ever. We see the value of working with people we know, like, and trust. And as we learn how to use the tools, we don’t lack people to connect with to get our business done.

Certain signs and characteristics seem to show in the folks who live the social media culture. Certain value and actions make people who care about having relationships and conversation before transactions easy to spot. I’ve listed 25 traits of Twitter Folks I admire.

These social media folks …

1. don’t seek to be the center of any universe.
2. find great conversations and get to know the people there.
3. realize that every venue has it’s own culture and rules.
4. do their own talking and their own listening.
5. talk mostly about the accomplishments of others.
6. ask intriguing questions that invite others to join the conversation.
7. don’t worry when folks don’t respond to something they say.
8. have time for new friends, talk to them, listen to them, read their sites and bios, ask them questions — avoid assumptions.
9. have a different conversation with every individual and every business.
10. take embarrassing or private conversations offline.
11. are inclusive and encourage folks who exclude people to exclude themselves.
12. shout out good news, help in emergencies, and celebrate with everyone.
13. say please, thank you, and you’re welcome, and mean them.
14. are incredibly curious about what works, what doesn’t work, seek feedback often, and look to improve what they do.
15. study the industry and trends, watch how things occur, share information about those freely, but never break a trust.
16. offer advice when people ask. Help whenever they can.
17. aren’t “shameless.” Ask for help in ways that folks are proud to pitch in.
18. are constantly connecting people and ideas in business conversations that are helpful, not hypeful.
19. get paid to strategize business, build tactical plans, but won’t “monetize” relationships.
20. ignore the trolls.
21. keep their promises.
22. can be transparent without being naked … most of us look and behave best in public with our clothes ON.
23. listen to the hive mind, but think their own thoughts.
24. send back channel “hellos” to friends when there’s no time to talk.
25. understand that the Internet is public and has no eraser.

The relationships with people — social in social media — is what is changing things. It makes a business experience worth looking forward to and turns a transaction into a relationship. It’s different online because I can’t see you. When I meet folks who make that distance and darkness disappear, I respect and admire them.

Updated slightly for to replace those who’ve gone.

Of course, I admire @@chrisbrogan, @guykawasaki, @problogger and the others you already have read on every other list. I’d like to add some great social stars that you might not know yet. Here are 25 more great conversationalists I admire and learn from every day.
@LucretiaPruitt
@BethHarte
@MackCollier
@AmberCadabra
@ShannonPaul
@mark_hayward
@zaneology
@Tojosan
@AaronStrout
@nanpalmero
@hdbbstephen
@rainesmaker
@SheilaS
@DanielleSmithTV
@caroljsroth
@remarkablogger
@melissapierce
@BeckyMcCray
@jnswanson
@BawldGuy
@inspiremetoday
@jasonfalls
@northernchick
@ernohannink
@jonathanfields
@joannapaterson

I suspect you’ll enjoy their conversation as much as I do.
Feel free to add your own 25 to the list or make a list of your and link it back to here.
Great folks are worth celebrating.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!