Small Biz. It is Important to Listen in Social Media.

We are kind of getting on this kick of authentic marketing and the people behind advertising being absolutely terrible at it. So why stop now? Let’s keep this trend going.

Amber Rae has an awesome post called The Missing Ingredient in Marketing and Advertising is Trust. We all know the video this is based off of: The Break Up. Where advertising comes in and tries to convince the “consumer” to stay with him. If you haven’t seen the video. DO IT. It is absolutely hilarious.

There are two things we should touch on when it comes to putting the trust back in the hands of the consumer: Listening and Humility. So, when we are looking at a diagram for Trust in the world of Advertising.

I am pointing this concept more to the small business owners of the world. Why? Because you are the face of the company. You are out on the street (at least you should be) selling the services and products of your company.

You are also working into the world of social media. Figuring out how to use this wonderful tool to increase sales and push your products past the eyes of the consumer and into their minds and hearts. Let’s figure out how to use listening and humility to build trust in your personal brand and your company brand. We are going to focus on listening this post and humility the next.

LISTENING

It is pretty simple. Listen when people are talking to you. If you are asked a question on a social network or on your blog, respond. If not through comments then through an email. It is extremely important to respect the opinions of others. Let’s run through an actual real life scenario to show you the importance.

Imagine being at a networking event. Walking throughout the room and handing out business cards, talking to other people about your company and learning from each other. You can see him/her out of the corner of your eye… the annoying sales professional. This individual walks up and introduces him/herself to each of you and starts talking about what they can do to help you out in your business.

Did they ask you what you did? Not really. They don’t care. They are there to be seen and be heard.

You will not survive in social media if you are not listening to your clients and your referral partners on your social networks. We don’t care about what you sell. Eventually we will create a relationship built on listening + humility = trust.

Until then.. you better be listening to your community partners.

Next time… humility.

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