Take the Conversation “Offline”
04.30.09
2 Tip Tuesday
With all of the focus on social media and the “online” conversation, remember, that’s only where it starts! The true value, the real value of social media should be when the conversation goes “offline”. Are you ready to take the conversation offline? Are you paying attention to the signals?
Here’s 2 tips to help you to be prepared to move a conversation to a new level:
1. Don’t Let Tools Remove You From the Conversation!
I’ve met a few people lately that rely on systems to deliver all of their updates (i.e. Tweetlater, Ping.fm, HelloTxt, etc.). I’m not saying that these tools don’t have some validity and usefulness. But if you rely on a tool to deliver your message without spending time in conversation, you’re always going to miss the signal to move the conversation offline (because you’re never involved in a conversation)!
Tools are incredible for efficiency, but also make it really easy to push messages and to be disconnected. Remember that a conversation has to go two ways! Make comments about someone else’s update, strike up a conversation…be interested, not just interesting.
2. Visit People’s Websites and Blogs
Once you’re involved in a conversation (or even prior to doing so), visit the person’s website or blog. The benefits to this are two-fold: on the one hand, you will have a much better idea if this person even warrants the potential for an offline conversation; and on the other hand, you may discover that you now hope the conversation goes offline!
If you want the conversation to move offline, one of the ways that you can ease your way in this direction is to make comments on that person’s blog. Another way to “warm up” the conversation is to make comments back to them about their website. By showing interest, you’ll build some credibility and your suggestion to move the conversation offline will be received with minimal defense.
Moving a conversation offline can be as simple as moving the conversation to email, a phone call or a cup of coffee at a location in between the two of you. But, be assured, moving the conversation off of social media only makes your social media experience richer as that personal touch will reverberate in everything that you do.
Who knows, you just may end up with your biggest client yet!
Do you have a story about a conversation that you took offline? Share your story in the comments!!
Deidre Hughey
Looking for more tips? Check these posts out:
Hiring a Social Media Strategist
Speakers & Authors: Get Attention Before You Need It!
Get Visibility With Less Work!
Spot on Deidre!
I have been thinking a lot lately about the noise surrounding Twitter and social media. It seems to me that these tools are the most powerful when they sustain and enhance relationships. I am puzzled by the people who are only interested in the number of followers. I am interested in staying connected with my networking circle.
May I add that a complete and current LinkedIn Profile is a great way to supercharge a professional relationship? I met with a networking contact a few weeks ago and it was clear that we had both done our LinkedIn homework before getting together. Because we were already familiar with each other’s backgrounds and interests our conversation started at a level that surprised both of us. We forged a quicker and stronger connection because of it.
Finally, let me recommend a fantastic article published yesterday by Daniel Collins: http://bit.ly/kvX6o. It really has set me to thinking.
Cheers,
Heather
Heather,
Thanks for taking the time to come by and leave such a thought-provoking comment. I read the article you referenced and have to say that while I agree with some of his article, I have to also disagree. I agree that we are in a generation filled with narcissism, but there are those of us that are trying to break the mold and forge a new path. There is a movement of people that realize that in order to achieve greatness, we need to open ourselves up to achieving that greatness with others (rather than in competition to or in spite of).
For every negative movement, there is also a positive…it just seems that the negative seems to get more press.
Back to your comment about how LinkedIn helped to propel your conversation into a refreshing new and powerful direction – KUDOS to you! And thank you for emphasizing the point that I was attempting to make. Have a great weekend!!
Build a BUZZ!
Deidre
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