It now happens every day. Someone asks someone else for their Twitter address or Facebook Fan Page URL instead for their Business Card. Even the Fortune 500 business people are getting permission from their staunch conservative HR groups to allow them to list their LinkedIn address on their business cards. Social Media is kicking ass in the business developing world which is leading to changing how Business Networking is done today.
Just look around at how businesses are all plastering their email addresses to their customer service groups on all of their products, or to their web-sites. The news on TV all have Twitter accounts and Facebook pages. You cannot say Social Networking has not taken the mainstream business world by the throat.
As a result (happily) the ‘Hard Sale” is FINALLY going away. Even Used Car Salespeople are calming down and reaching out to potential customers by blogging about their cars instead of yelling at us on TV Commercials..well, at least some of them are calming down.
Online Business Networking Goes Niche
The most exciting part of this fast move to Social Media is businesses are now quickly seeing the mega social networking group sties as not cutting it when it came to promoting their products directly to interested consumers. Even the mega corporations are now seeing niche marketing to niche business networking groups as has having a greater value than the “Shotgun Marketing” strategies associated with using only Facebook and Twitter.
Networking is Networking
Networking a business’ needs will always be done when two or more business people gather in a business or social environment. Where the networking done today will change is to move to a more social environment rather than the stiff collared business environment. Yes, the banquet room networking groups will still be around since there will always be those hardliner “Hard Sellers” who can’t let go of pushing someone to buy something as being the only way they are going to get anyone to buy. Consumers are going to slap the hard sale down..if they are not already.
The online business networking groups are gaining strength daily since ROI’s can now be found in all social media efforts. Making friends online globally as well as locally is how the new economy will be fueled.
Still, telling someone what you do…what you offer..or what your claim to fame is will always be the core of business networking. Again, how that is done is what will change. It all boils down to..Business Networking is Business Networking.
The Calmer the Better
Business Networking will move to being more of a one-on-one with hundreds of people rather than a one-on-one-hundred as many business networkers are use to doing. Business people will start joining smaller more focused business clubs like the Business Golf Country Club and other managed service provider sites. Business networking will be conducted in a calmer atmosphere. Business’ needs will be broadcasted and business will be developed through the connections of niche business club’s membership.
Social Media Is The Rubber on the Road
When Social Media came blazing out of business networking sites like LinkedIn, it was not totally understood. Now, just a short couple of years later businesses are developing a solid customer base through social networking making Social Media a must.
Knowing more about what your customer is needing rather than wanting is a by-product of social media practices. Building trust through face-to-face marketing is now proven to be more profitable than shouting at people from above.
Join in the new way of business networking and see for yourself. Find a niche Tweet-Up, MeetUp, Camp, Pod or niche business club to attend and see for yourself. And..of course…Let me know how I can help.
The Business Golf Country Club is a private business club for golfers, business owners/executives and golf professional. The mission of the club is to help business people learn more about how playing golf can benefit their business development while teaching the members of the club greater golf and business skills. Join the BGCC today and get in on the beginning of a new business golf experience. www.bizgolfcc.com
Anonymous says
Even though it feels comfortable sticking with what we know—true innovation and market success usually comes from what we don’t know
http://bit.ly/akWE09