As we all now recognize, there has been a definitive “shift” away from traditional marketing (postcard mailing, advertising, and cold calling). Social Media has forever changed the way we do business and the way we promote our businesses. If your company and your services are not defined on the internet and marketed regularly through the most popular Social Media channels (Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, to name a few), it is likely your business will not be as successful as those who are.

I truly believe what it comes down to is an ability to make a “connection” with your target audience. When you can present who YOU are and how YOUR natural abilities have led you to your chosen specialty, your message and your approach will resonate with your audience. When people feel a positive connection with you, they are more likely to work with you. Very simply, if you are able to consistently “Share Yourself “and “Share Your Message”, the result is more business.

SHARE YOURSELF

You don’t need millions of Twitter followers. You want to have the attention of the people you KNOW will benefit from the services you provide. If each time you post a message or send an email newsletter you craft it from the heart, you will find that in the process YOU may actually learn something new about yourself. And the more you know of yourself and the more confident you are, your ability to connect with people will come quite naturally. A feeling of confidence will give you an edge in striking the right chord, and it will certainly help you translate potential clients’ general interest into intrigue. At that point, they are more likely to take the steps to start working with you.

Invite them to your website or subscribe to your blog mailing list with the offer of a free eBook or a free report on a topic relevant to them. You can then send via email a marketing newsletter along with a discount coupon for their first service with you. Include valuable tips and personal insights you are willing to share, and once again potential clients will feel they know you and you know them through the genuine “connection” you establish this way.

SHARE YOUR MESSAGE

I have a client who is a Personal Coach, and something that works well for her in her business is to post a daily inspirational message on her Facebook business page AND her blog, which are emailed to her subscriber list. She uses a digital recorder to record her message from her home office. I transcribe and post it on her Facebook, blog, and Twitter every weekday. Since her followers forward her insightful messages to friends, family, and colleagues, her posts quickly become “viral”. Because she shares so much valuable insight and inspiration on a regular basis, clients are drawn to her. Potential clients can already get a sense through her messages of how she can inspire and motivate them, and how she can help make a difference in their lives. It’s almost like a “test drive” of her services and it works really well for her. She has new subscribers daily, and her ability to “close the sale” is astounding.

I believe if you convey confidence in expressing yourself, no matter what business you are in, you will develop a connection, grow a following, and in turn, you will expand your opportunity for success. If your message solves a problem for your target audience, they will follow you. They may read several of your messages, and be thinking about working with you. Eventually, you will reach them with just the right message, at the right time. Be patient…and enjoy the process of sharing yourself.