TweetMy grandfather would have loved the Internet.

He died well before the personal computer was such a staple in business.  He was old school.

He was an investor in real estate and owned retail butcher shops.  He was an influential man in the city, volunteering much of his time, sitting on boards of directors and attending tons of networking events.

When I got older, I remember listening to him talk about business to one of my cousins that was several years older than me and was trying his hand at starting a business.

He said:

“People do business with people they KNOW, LIKE and TRUST.  It’s that simple.”

Now, I realize that my grandfather did not coin this phrase but it struck me as remarkably wise at the time — and still does today.  It’s remarkable in its simplicity and its inherent truth.

Grandpa Tweets?

My grandfather would have loved social networking sites like Twitter and would have openly embraced the power that blogging brings to the tiny business owner.

Why?

After reading my blog —- do you KNOW me better?
After seeing pictures of my kids on Facebook —- do you LIKE me more?
After I point you to a helpful resource via Twitter —- do you TRUST me more?

Ok — so maybe I annoy you.    But I suspect that most of you KNOW, LIKE and TRUST me more and more with each exposure you have to me.   Remember, that frequency of interaction with your target market is important — it keeps you and your business top-of-mind with customers and prospects.

Use social networking sites, meet-up.com and a business blog to create more people that KNOW, LIKE and TRUST you.

It’s that simple.

What questions do you have about proper use of social networking sites?  How do you use social networking sites to create a larger network?  What advice do you have for the rest of us?

TweetBrown nosing.

It gets such a bad rap.

Aren’t we all interested in growing a network?  Growing an online network?  Growing an off-line network?

Better learn to kiss a little digital butt, it’s great!  It’s free!

Zero In On The Target Rear Ends

Make a list.  A list of the people that you want to get to know — these should be people that can make a real difference for your business.

Now, find out if they are online.  How?  Ummmm… it’s 2010 — Google their name. 

Here is a statement that is getting more true with each day that passes:

The “movers and shakers” in your industry have a digital podium.  Most likely a blog for their business or for themselves and they are probably using social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. They are carving out an audience within the industry and gaining business from it.

These are the aforementioned butts that should be kissed. They should be on your list because we know exactly what they want — read on.

Exactly How To Grow An Online Network

Pop quiz –

Q: What does everyone want that is publishing content to the web?

A: Attention

Here are some ways to brown your digital nose and grow your network online:

• Links — Link to the person using your own blog or website.  Don’t have a blog yet?  Get with the program, set one up here.  Review a piece of content they created, talk about one of their products/services, etc — then email them and let them know about it — say “I just reviewed your XYZ service on my blog, can you check it to see if you see any changes.”
• Refer them — If you see an opportunity to refer business to them, do it.  Look for opportunities on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn to refer this business.   Make sure it is a quality referral – a win-win for both parties.
• Retweet them — If the person is using Twitter, you should be following them.  Don’t know how to retweet, read this.  Retweeting means you repeat what the person said on Twitter to your Twitter network.  It is a way to spread good stuff around the web.
• Fan them on Facebook — Make comments on their Facebook Fan page
• Comment on their blog — Bloggers love to feel appreciated, they are trying to build a community and you can become part of that by becoming a regular commenter.
• Endorse them on LinkedIn — Write them a recommendation on LinkedIn
• Download their eBook — Read it.  Review it on your blog or recommend the ebook to your network on Twitter/Facebook.
• Ask them questions — People that are looking for attention on the web love to answer questions, it makes them feel important.  I know because I am one of them.  

I think you are getting the idea.

Here is what is so powerful about this — it is free and can be done in about 1/2 hour each day.

I “network” online for about 1/2 hour each day, usually during my lunch hour.  It is fun.  I love it.

What about you?  How do you grow your network online?  What tactics have you found that work or don’t work?  How much time do you spend networking online?

Tweet

Here is a summary of the video above “The Three Deadliest Content Marketing Mistakes”

Mistake 1 – Being Too Salesy

Content Marketing is about creating value for your customers and prospects.  Find out what kinds of problems they are having and solve those problems.  You won’t build relationships, buzz or sales by pitching your next big promotion to your market.

Mistake 2 – Closing Your Ears

3 Deadly Mistakes

It has become cliche — LISTEN TO YOUR MARKET.  Unfortunately most people entering the content marketing space will do just the opposite.  They will do all the talking.

Mistake 3 – Getting Buried

If you have not been marketing yourself on the web, you will want to enter the pool via the steps and not by diving in head first.  Begin by executing on the fundamentals — in most cases this means starting a blog for your business.

What advice do you have for those already involved in or thinking of getting involved in Content Marketing?