What Are You Doing to Provide Value to Your Audience?


On several recent interviews, I’ve been speaking to audiences about the process of moving someone from Observer to Follower to Fan to Lead to Client using social networking.

It’s answering the question “How do people make money with social networking?”

My answer: PROVIDE IRREPLACEABLE VALUE.

I’ll be posting in greater detail on this topic, but just to begin the conversation I thought I’d overview things.

Let’s say you’re on Twitter and you’re just randomly peering through the stream. Something catches your eye… an interaction between 2 people, a phrase you relate to, an insight someone shares.

You click on the person who made the Tweet, check out their online bio, maybe get a quick sense of who he or she is, and in less than a minute you decide this is a good person to follow.

What are all the factors that made you choose to follow this person?

More likely than not, you found VALUE in something this person provided. Whether it’s information, entertainment, or a good connection, there was something there you found to be of value.

You just moved yourself from being an Observer to a Follower.

As the cycle continues, the more value you provide the more trust you build. Followers become Fans, Fans (can) become leads, and certain leads will become clients, referral partners, or brand evangelists.

It’s a pretty simplified overview, but in essence this is what’s happening on social media sites when used for business.

If you start each day asking yourself “How can I provide value to my network today?” you’ll witness an amazing shift occur. You’ll start thinking of what others need and how you can be an irreplaceable source of value for them. Your network will perceive you as the person to go to for answers, connections, insights, support… you name it.

In other words, you clearly show them the value you provide. Think of how that can “pre-sell” a person to hiring you or buying from you. Make adding value part of your strategy to attract leads and land new clients.

What are you doing to add value to your network? Do you offer tips? Answer calls for help?Share your comments below.


Share this resource!

Share on Digg!  Share on Delicious!  Share on StumbleUpon!  Share on Google Buzz!

About Nancy Marmolejo

I'm a soul-driven strategist who teaches entrepreneurs how to turn followers into fans and fans into clients using social media and heart based marketing. My approach integrates proven strategies and intuitive hits so each client finds her special way to stand out and sizzle in the spotlight.

  • http://feeds.feedburner.com/sandramartini Sandra Martini

    Great post! By simply tweaking your "lens" or perspective on how to approach social networking, you come from a place of "how can I be of service" rather than "what will it do for me".

    This perception shift will automatically make you more attractive to your ideal clients as you naturally provide the type of info they're looking for, rather than your looking for what you can get out of the exchange.

    It always fascinates me how we get so much more from giving than from searching.

    Thanks for the great post Nancy! I'm looking forward to seeing you this month!

    Love and hugs,

    Sandy :-)

    <abbr>Sandra Martinis last blog post..Keeping Clients in a Down Economy: Is Giving or Taking Better for Your Bottom Line?</abbr>

  • http://www.patricia-weber.com Patricia Weber

    Sounds like a good meditative question too! Thanks Nancy. Always insightful.

    <abbr>Patricia Webers last blog post..Social Networking Tip – Top 20 Things Introverts Don’t Want To Do on Twitter</abbr>

  • http://www.shahtraining.com Parth

    Interesting. Addding value is a huge thing and something I certainly need to work on.

    <abbr>Parths last blog post..10 Ways to Fatten Up Your Kids</abbr>

  • http://associationofmbas.com Lisa Cummings

    Great thoughts. In our get-it-now-impatient world, it's easy to expect instant sales. I like your reality check – that there are a lot of phases before doing business.

  • http://www.vivavisibilityblog.com Nancy Marmolejo

    Thanks Parth for the comment, just checked out your site and you've got great info there, lots of value!
    Lisa, thanks for the "reality-check" feedback. I appreciate that you and I see things the same way!
    Sandy, you're always on the forefront of value. I see how helpful and generous you are with info and what it's done for your business. There's a lot to be said for that.
    :-)
    Nancy

  • http://www.peterkitch.blogspot.com Peter Kitch

    Thanks for the great read! I wish you continued success in your writing :)

    <abbr>Peter Kitchs last blog post..The Art of Coming Up With Something to Blog About</abbr>

  • http://www.pledgingforchange.com Karen

    This is another great post. I agree entirely that people should be thinking of how to add value to any social network. The shift in thinking is fantastic and makes it far easier to post anything.

    Appreciated things don't happen overnight and I'm not sure that this idea of joining infinite social networks is an answer. Sometimes it's better to stay with just a few and concentrate on offering quality. Eventually others will get the message and stay connected and following you.

    <abbr>Karens last blog post..What do want to achieve on Pledging for Change?</abbr>