Some people find the Instant Messenger feature on Facebook annoying… especially if they just want to interact with their friends, or do some work on Facebook. Therefore, be aware of this when using it and don't pester people unless they are obviously interested in the conversation.
I usually aim to make about 10 new friends each week or month depending on how much time I have. When I say make friends, I don't just mean adding them as a friend on Facebook.
Go through their profile, learn more about them, comment on their photo's, go see their blog and websites, watch their video's and get to know them as a person.
Once you've done this, look out for them on the Instant Messenger and drop them a personal message. Engage them in conversation and build up that relationship with them.
You'll find the Instant Messenger or chat feature at the bottom right of the page. Look out for Online Friends, click the link and you can interact with people who are online.
The aim of using Facebook for network marketing and personal branding is to keep you and your name in the minds of other people.
Whenever I login to Facebook, I get on the Instant Messenger and start chatting to people I’m building up relationships with. The more you can talk to people, the stronger your relationship is. (This depends on how much time you have to spend on Facebook each day)
In order to build up that relationship, you need to ask questions and listen to the answers.
- What have you been up to today?
- What hobbies do you have?
- What business are you involved with. (When you ask this one… make sure you take note of the answer) People usually answer this one very quickly and very positively because they want to sponsor you into their business.
- Comment on aspects of their profile, ask them questions about things on their profile and be genuine.
Obviously be careful with asking some of the above questions if the information is already on their profile page. Make sure you read the information on their profile and if it already says they are with xxx business or company, don't ask them what business are you with…. instead ask them how it's going with xxx company.
This way, it shows the other person that you've read their profile and have a genuine interest in them.
When someone asks me what business I'm involved with, I usually tell them humbly. I don’t hype it up, I just mention it. But I only mention it if they ask. This is the key point.
Once you’ve asked them what company they are in, they will feel obliged to ask the same question.
You can play a few games here like I do. Sometimes I tell them that I only speak of my business when I know someone better.
Or
I talk about the power of my system rather than my business. I talk about the fact that my system helps me build my business automatically whilst I focus on the relationship building aspect of my business.
Once I’ve spoken about this and the other people can see how something like this could really help them in their business, they are pretty interested.
It’s all about persuasion. But not doing it in an obvious way. Create tension, intrigue, suspense and the person will be desperate to find out what it is you are doing.
Again, this is where the posture kicks in. You need to make it the other persons idea to become interested in you and your opportunity. Once they can see that you have something they want, you can easily influence them.
I usually post comments on people’s profiles first, as I always like to lead the way. Make sure you post nice comments about the other person and DO NOT add your link… this is just rude.
If you do something first, you’ll find that others feel obliged to reciprocate and post a comment back. Always lead the way… set the standard for others to follow. Go that extra mile, post comments, rate their videos, comment on videos or on their wall or profile.
Do it over a period of time rather than all at once and make sure you expose yourself to the other person. Focus on 1 or 2 people at a time to make friends with.
How do you feel when someone comes along and adds their link to your Facebook wall? I personally just delete it.
Use the Instant Messenger as the next step in the relationship.
1. Make friends with a person.
2. Learn more about the other person by reading their profile.
3. Comment on their wall, & add something nice to their profile, talk about their photo, ask them a question about their business, drop them a polite courtesy email and try to engage them in conversation.
4. Look out for them on Instant Messenger, chat to them and further build up that relationship.
5. Ask if they have Skype, or a telephone number that you can call them on to exchange ideas and get to know them better.
6. Speak to them on the phone, is there any way you can help them, or they can help you? Usually you will know more than they do in a certain area of network marketing.
7. Continue to build up the relationship by commenting on their profile over a period of time and speaking to them on the phone.
8. Sponsor them in to your business. It's so much easier to sponsor someone you have a great relationship with rather than someone you've just met.
The great thing about Facebook and other social networking sites is that it's so much easier to make friends with people. And, just remember that in order to have a successful network marketing business, all you need is a few good people in your downline. (It's actually not as hard as you think)
It's not about having thousands of friends, it's about getting to know the friends you already have.
