Take the Time to Learn About Your Social Network

Whoever has the largest number of followers on Twitter, the biggest network on LinkedIn or the most connections on Facebook must have an exemplary social media strategy, right? Wrong!

Social media has become a numbers game where quantity is more important than quality.  Having the largest network holds no value if you are disconnected from your audience.

A social network comprised of 10,000 fans, followers, or connections looks great to prospects when citing examples of your work for new business pitches.

What the potential client often fails to see is the two-way communication between you and your network.

Relationships and value drive the social media vehicle, not tweets, retweets and wall posts.

Here are a few tips on how to get to know your social network(s) a little better:

Interact with your network

Social media is the way information is shared.  Whether it’s news, product releases or personal information, people are speaking up online and they are looking for someone to listen to what they have to say.  A reply that is short and sweet will go a long way. Talking with, not to, your network will not only help build your “social reputation” it will also add value to your network.

Forget about numbers and focus on people

Our Twitter account has less than 700 followers.  Does that mean we don’t “get” social media? No.  We have open, sometimes personal communication with over half of our followers.  We know more about our followers than what’s displayed on their Twitter bio or website.  Having 10,000+ followers would be nice, but when was the last time you tried to get to know 10,000 people?

Get personal

You don’t have to share your whole life story with someone, but common interests combined with likes and dislikes are a great way to start.  Having a personal Twitter, or Facebook account is a great way to let people get to know your human side.

Don’t be afraid to network offline

There’s only so much that can be said in 140 characters, or displayed on a Facebook wall.  Use your social media network(s) as a way to break the ice and meet people in person.  Whether it’s networking events, tweetups or conferences, meet the people you tweet with and remember to keep in touch.