It seems like I have been noticing this week that people are hanging out in the wrong clubhouse... For example, (forgive me Mom) I got a connection request from my mother this morning on LinkedIn. My mother is a happily retired 76 year old who is currently snowbirding in Arizona, no business on the side, no interest in that at all - but yet she suddenly decides to join LinkedIn??? I messaged her to make sure she had really done it and not been hacked...she said yes, she got an email invite and thought she would join. I explained to her the purpose of LinkedIn was for business networking and suggested she stick with Facebook and Instagram where she is already set up to network with friends and family. There have been other examples this week, but my mom is the cutest and most obvious.♥
But think about it...if you want to target residents in your area who could become potential clients, you are going to go hyper local with your networking...community pages on Facebook (not just posting on your general timeline), joining and participating on sites like Nextdoor.com, get involved in community government, at your kids' schools, etc...anything that really gets you out there and in the community that you want to do business with and get face time with those people. Or, research the members of your community who are homeowners and might want to sell... is there a house that you drive by all the time that you would love to have the listing for some day? Look up the property owner in your county records and then seek them out on LinkedIn...chances are if they can afford that house, they have a career that at some point or another they have decided to have a LinkedIn profile for...send them a message...don't say "hey - I looked up your house to find the owner and if you ever want to sell, I want that listing" (why not? because that's creepy!) Message them and have a comment about something on their profile, something you think you have in common after reading their profile, etc...ask to connect, then follow them so their activity shows up in your feed...now you can start interacting with them...after maybe 3 -5 touch points or so, when you know that they now know who the heck you are and that you have intelligently interacted with them...now you can shoot them a message and say, "hey - I'd like to earn your business down the line - and any referrals you may have." (no longer creepy). I am a huge believer in the value of LinkedIn for seeking out and networking with potential clients; however, personally speaking, Active Rain is an amazing networking platform for real estate support services providers like myself who serve real estate professionals, I have it easy (of course I am still out networking on other platforms as well)!
This is not a new concept...I am all for PPC ads and sales funnels when they make sense...but when you are selling a service, as in a real estate agent, virtual assistant, copywriter, etc... doesn't it make more sense to prove that you know what the heck you are talking about first? No one has all day to sit around on boards and chit chat - at least not if they are producing any real income; however, showing up consistently and making your presence known - and still living your authentic life while doing so with family and friends, showing your knowledge, answering questions, being approachable, humble and human...doesn't that make more sense? Sure, it takes work - but shouldn't we have to work for a living? (Unless my dream comes true and I win the lottery that is☺ ) Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to play some more in my clubhouse...
