6 great tips for selling yourself online

I was contacted by a potential client a few weeks back and when we had our initial meeting I asked the question, “Why did you contact me?” The answer I received is what everyone in digital wants to hear: “Every time I googled, your name kept appearing in the search results”. I never asked for specifics because at that point I realised that the model I adopted was working for me.

Without going into the nitty gritty details of the model, I have listed its key ingredients. I cannot guarantee this will work for everyone, but it appears to be working for me.

1. Look at the leaders

Spend a lot of time gathering information and learning from the specialists. Focus on people or organisations that deliver similar services, products and solutions to you. Look for the companies that “walk the talk” and do not profess to be specialists but provide hard evidence in the form of personal recommendations, testimonials and case studies.

2. Research your target market thoroughly

All too often, companies jump on the digital band wagon way to soon without fully understanding what makes the clients “tick”. Never forget that the consumer is king and sets the rules on how they prefer you to engage with them. Do not instruct them to engage on a particular platform. Give them a reason and let them make the decision. Find out where they participate online and let them find you on the relevant channel.

3. Content, Content, Content

I cannot emphasise enough the importance of interesting, compelling, thought provoking, relevant and shareable content. There is only one way to build credibility, motivate and influence, attain “thought leader” status and become a trusted adviser and that is to present good content on a regular basis. Once convinced that you know what you are talking about, people will start referring you to others (word of mouth), and when presented with a challenge you may be able to solve, will contact you to seek assistance.

4. Collaborate with social influencers

Spend time identifying other thought leaders that influence the market. This could be a subject matter or industry specialist, a well-known celebrity or prominent persons with the media. Support their online efforts in an appropriate way but be patient. Good relationships do not happen overnight.

5. Always be humble

No matter how well known and prominent you become, do not let your ego get in the way. Always find time to respond to everyone that connects with you (within reason). Do not get into arguments or heated debates. Take these offline and sort them out there.

6. Make it face-to-face whenever possible

I have discovered that all online relationships I have initiated have strengthened immensely after meeting with the person for a cup of coffee. People are essentially social animals and while the digital revolution has taken us by storm, we still enjoy real life interaction.

These are a few tips I was able to share with you. Do you have anything to add, based on your experience? I would love to hear from you!

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http://twitter.com/HelenTonetti HelenTonetti
Great advice David, and that’s the steps we take when building a profile for clients, its always amazing that people forget about the rules of marketing when they go on-line, listen first, know what your market needs not what you want to sell.
http://twitter.com/DavidGrahamSA David Graham
Thank you for your response Helen. I agree that most of us forget the basics. In many cases you should do the total opposite (eg understand the customers challlenges and issues and how your product, service or solution will make the “pain” go way). Regards David
http://www.blogbysuchitra.wordpress.com/ Suchitra Mishra
Hello David,
I was nodding my head through all your points except the last. I could relate to them so well. As I slowly ventured into building my brand online and learnt the ropes so to say, watching you and others online – I have realised that this is what works – genuine, sincere and steady efforts. I just have to tear myself away from my laptop to have that online-offline balance – your last point
Thank you for your wisdom and also your unstinting support to newbies like me.
Regards,
Suchitra
http://salesresultsllc.com Craig M. Jamieson
David, you have hit all the right nails directly on the head! If you build it, they will come! I too watch the professionals very closely and try to emulate them whenever and wherever possible. Case in point, being connected to Neal Schaffer is what has connected us to each other!
You also point out quite correctly that our customers are the ones who now dictate what channel(s) they wish to communicate on and we must be available on all of them. This alone can be daunting.
The only thing that I might expand is that you must learn and be willing to engage with others . Social media does not take the place of traditional communication and the same old rules still apply. If you are unwilling to engage (and many seem to be) … why are you there even to begin with?:)
Thanks again and I will look forward to getting to know you better!
http://www.LinkedMediaGroup.com Linked Media Group, Inc.
Great analysis David as always. The only thing I’d add is Content Syndication is becoming more and more important and critical as the “noise level” on the web (social and internet in general) increases. And, of course, selecting the right tools, apps and platforms for syndication.
http://twitter.com/DavidGrahamSA David Graham
Thank for very much for adding the extra points Lee and thank you for your response!
http://twitter.com/DavidGrahamSA David Graham
Thank you Craig. Engagement, as you quite rightly state, is absolutely essential! Thank you for your comments and I look forward to further “engagement” with you week after next when you provide me with an online tour of your #SCRM solution
http://twitter.com/DavidGrahamSA David Graham
My pleasure Suchitra and thank you very much for your comments. In terms of a “newbie” you seem to be doing exceptionally well
http://twitter.com/ohgodknows Greg Arthur
I agree with your points, David. Being free and unstructured on and offline also has its advantages as you never know where opportunity lies. (I loved your graphic for this reason). Allow your interactions to follow a natural path, while always knowing your purpose for being social in the first place, and see where things go. “Goal-less, yet purposeful”.
http://twitter.com/NazareenE Nazareen Ebrahim
Very valid points David. Thank you for sharing good content on becoming an actual social media guru, that others profess themselves to be! I especially appreciated you talking about being humble. When people see proof that you are reaching out to them (within reason, as you rightly stated) then that is trust, credibility and respect that they feel.
http://www.BluewireMedia.com.au/blog Adam Franklin
Hi David, that is an excellent article for a newbie and a timely reminder for those of us already entrenched in the web industry!
So true. If you consistently invest in your online profile and humbly serve your community with useful content, then I believe the results will pour in for a long time.
http://twitter.com/rajharie Raj Harie
Thanks David, great primer on establishing a presence in any industry and using all the tools at our finger tips.
We also should not be afraid to put our own opinions out, but bearing in mind that any extreme opinions will only marginalise. We should be just as prepared to write/blog/tweet/share something if we were saying it face to face.