Social Media Farming and Harvesting Connections

Melinda SchmiedeknechtBNI Social Media Consultant

Farming vs. Hunting

Apply your BNI good rules of networking!

Social Media Networking

• Do not prematurely solicit!• Build relationships, be social• Be intentional and set limits• Proactively search for referral partners• What language do you/your contacts speak?

Be Strategic• Comment/post on business pages or groups

where your target audience is likely to be. • Combine personal with business in your posts.• Thank people for referrals they give you.• Thank people for providing good service to

the referrals you give.• Use photos or video as much as possible.

LinkedIn

• Most professional, less social

• Very searchable, easy to find prospective referral partners for your contact sphere

• Use educational articles, discussion to build relationships

• Don’t just connect, “follow.”

Facebook• More social, less formal

• Essential for B2C

• Ask for recommendations for referral partners – who do people like/use?

• Facilitates creative rewards

• Use lists to keep top of mind with key prospects, referral partners

Twitter

• Shorter messages – limited to 140 characters

• Create a good hook and include a link to get more information

• May post more frequently

• To gain followers, go follow your target market

YouTube

• #2 Search engine

• Keep videos short, 2-3 minutes

• Lead with value

• Channel is easy to set up and free!

• Add to website, Facebook page

Google+

• Really helps with SEO – Search Engine Optimization

• Hangout is cool easy way to have a free video conference

• Target your posts to share with your “circle” of prospects or existing customers or referral partners.

www.SocialMediaExaminer.com for short,informative articles.

www.Hootsuite.com to post multiple places at once.

www.Yoono.com for those with ADD

Thank You!Please go like the BNI Southeast Facebook page! www.facebook.com/bnisoutheast

melinda@bnisoutheast.com