What’s Your Plan Once You’ve Connected Via A Social Network?

by Paul Castain on December 4, 2011

Pop Quiz: What’s your game plan once someone accepts your social networking invite?

Do you just leave it to chance while you race off to invite the next “connection”? Or . . .

Do you launch immediately into your best infomercial?

Sorry for the Monday morning reality check but I’m willing to bet that most people would fail this simple quiz.

Its kind of like we invited someone to do something, they accept and then nobody knows what to do.

So they do nothing!

Here are a few thoughts to start turning those “connections” into true connections.

1)    Start Giving A Damn About The Status Updates Of Those In Your Network! All of us are a tad guilty of being so busy trying to get noticed that we fail to notice other people. You’ve heard me say it before . . . “Everyone has a story and wants to be heard” so you need to take the time to acknowledge the things OTHER people are saying. I go into great detail on this topic in this free podcast!

2)    Set A Weekly “Getting To Know You” Call Goal. The “Getting To Know You” call  is simply a phone call designed to “take it live” with someone in your network. You could jump on a phone call, a video chat, and if geographically feasible, I would suggest meeting up for a cup of coffee.

Time Out! For those of you who travel, you should check your network for local contacts and make it a point to try and meet up.

Immediate Action Item: Identify and invite at least one person from your network to “take it live” this week. I triple dog dare ya to do this within 5 minutes of reading today’s blog. What’s the matter Colonel Sanders . . . Chicken?

3)    Be A Good Host/Hostess And Invite Your Connections . . .

-       Into Discussions

-       Onto Other Social Networks

-       To Meet Other Connections (matchmaking is highly underrated)

-       To Meetups, “Tweetups”, Google+ Hangouts & Conference Calls

If this whole business of truly CONNECTING with your network interests you, then I would highly recommend that you check out my 90 page Social Networking E-Book by clicking here!

Or you could simply do nothing and see how valuable yet another inactive contact is to your overall efforts!

  • Jacqui

    My first action after connecting is to send a message – feel free to copy – that goes…

    “Dear….,

    Thanks for connecting on LinkedIn. How do you hope our connection will serve us both? I want you to be more than a name in a list I keep, so let me know how we can engage.

    Warmest regards,
    Jacqui”

    Often people aren’t sure, but it starts a conversation about how we can be in each others lives rather than in each others lists.

    The conversations that don’t happen in public are at least as valuable, and often more so, than those that do.

    I routinely win new clients, and new referral partners that I first meet via LinkedIn.

  • JosieAberdeen

    lol, Paul, I love the accompanying caption that goes so well with the graphics! While I neither launch into a sales pitch nor ignore updates I have yet to meet with someone in person. This is a timely article which I Am definitely taking to heart! Again TY! Peace & God Bless You! You are a definite inspiration!

    Josie

  • Jabba

    Hi Paul, I too still fall a little short in those areas though I do take time to reach out. That’s what I feel makes you the best at this and it is good to read and heed your words of wisdom!

  • http://yoursalesplaybook.com paulcastain

    That’s an awesome letter and a great first impression Jacqui.

    Thanks for sharing it!

  • http://yoursalesplaybook.com paulcastain

    Thanks Dan . . . I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by!

  • Anonymous

    I’m really good about dialogue immediately following the initial connection and also about connecting with others.  Not so good about meet-ups in person while traveling.  Thanks for reminding us about making the connection meaningful, Paul.  When will you be Beantown!

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