about conversations with friends.
Last night I had a conversation about social networking with a good friend, it went something like this.
My Friend: On August 1, I had 166 followers and now I’m over 400.
ME: So?
My Friend: Surely you’ve heard that in sales it’s all about the numbers. But you’re saying numbers aren’t the only thing.
ME: So, these people, your followers, are the people who are going to buy from you?
My Friend: You’re saying the key is to convert them into buyers. That’s why I’m networking — having conversations like this one.
ME: What’s the purpose of collecting a higher number of followers? Are those followers the right people for “networking”? Do they move your story forward? Is it useful conversation, relaxation, or just time spent?
My Friend: You’re saying “go after the ones I want to be my clients.” Qualified leads would raise the level of my business. I see your point.
ME: I like this dialogue. You find the answers and give me credit for saying them.
My Friend: You’re saying I’m a good friend to have a conversation with. . . .
— That’s not exactly how the conversation went, but it’s MY story.
He can tell it his way on his own blog. —
How would you tell my friend to adjust his networking time spent to make it a more purposeful investment?
Hi Liz
Funny you should ask this. I just received a very long email (filled a whole list of headlines for one of my projects) from a ‘friend’. I’ve never seen him, never talked to him over the phone but he’s given me his time, ideas etc – freely.
We ‘met’ at a blog we both follow, learn from and comment on, we started commenting on each other’s comments there and started helping each other out – freely.
We’re now in the process of ‘affiliating’ business to and fro.
Time spent on networking by giving freely is a worthwhile investment. It’s not about numbers, it’s about sharing.
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Hi Karin!
As Mike Wesch said, “changing the media changes the way human relationships happen.” Guess we know that more than most might.
Meeting up with folks naturally where the ideas connect connect us, the way you and your friend, you and I, you and Kent, all met makes for bonds that last beyond the simple counts that fade when we find that we can no longer keep up.
I agree that the glue is the sharing that’s why we invest. Thanks for this with sharing with my morning coffee. 🙂
Hi Liz
Does it really change? Or are we back at the ‘little village’ social rewards? I like to think the latter – although it’s the World Wide Web, we bond in little groups/villages only more of them 😉
If it did change something it is bringing back the sharing attitude from way back, something we almost lost?
Sharing my afternoon coffee with you 😉
Karin H