You want to create Goodwill by building relationships and investing in others -- but you can't afford to give away all your time, effort, resource, can you?
"Sure it is healthy to offer your expertise and time to potential clients and customers online, this is how you build trust and relationships. Where it becomes dangerous to not only your business but your bank account is when you do not set boundaries. This is the biggest mistake that I see with online social networking. People fall into what I call Panic Marketing Mode and they keep giving and giving, asking for nothing in return."
Starr Hall, a forward-thinking, energetic, and imaginative publicist with a tireless dedication to her clients, addresses this topic in her blog article, "Giving Your Time & Services Away for FREE on Social Networks- Is it healthy for your business?" She says,
A few quick tips to help you balance your free offers and time giveaways and asking for the business, her "3/3 Rule" advises:
1) Give away free advice and or tips when directly approached no more/no less than 3 times before you ask for the business.
2) Don't spend more than 3 minutes responding or chatting per person or group.
3) JUST ASK- this is the one thing that separates the good from the great, the broke from the prosperous- ASKING. NOW don't get me wrong there is a BIG difference between desperate and sincere. Make sure that you really want the relationship and or the business and that you are not just asking for the sake of getting another deal. Consumers are smart and they can tell the difference between the two!
As a BONUS TIP, Starr Hall says: "Set up free monthly consulting/coaching teleseminar or Blitz Session (Blitz is a new online social networking site to have quick conversations with people one on one in a row) for 30 minutes, give a quick presentation and then allow each caller 3 minutes to determine whether or not there is a good fit for doing business together. It's called Speed Networking or if Blitz coins a new phrase it may be Blitz Networking."
Find out more at Starr's blog: http://www.starrhall.com/blog
After reading Starr's awesome blog, here is my recommendation for GIVE-AWAYS:
GIVE AWAY something of value as a FREE gift. With no strings attached. Only the opportunity to advertise yourself and your services/products so that they recognize you.
When you give something of value, the recipient will:
1. Appreciate you -- this is an emotion that helps cement your goodwill
2. Remember you -- This emotional experience will trigger a reaction later, when they are in need of the type of services you offer.
3. Feel obligated to give you an opportunity -- guilt or indebtedness will invariably kick in.
After all, that is the ONLY thing you ask for, isn't it -- an OPPORTUNITY to be selected as their service provider. After that, it's up to you to prove yourself!
P.S. And you can always them to give you something FREE in return -- a recommendation, or a referral!
Join my new AR group and post your blog at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice
Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
Author of eBook "Stop Foreclosure Fast: Solutions to Save your House"
Text copyright © 2009 R.P. Brown, All Rights Reserved
 |
|
|
ePro Realtor® and Broker, R.P. Brown Real Estate, California's Central Coast. Also an author, trainer, and consultant.
Buyer's Agents: Write an Ironclad Real Estate Purchase Offer
Interview your Estate Planning Attorney Before Hiring Her
Top Real Estate Trainer Coming to San Diego area for Live 1-Day Workshop
Educate Yourself by Watching TV?
"Do you happen to have any tips for a Newbie Real Estate Agent?"
Host a Seminar or Workshop: Gain Clients & Credibility
Happy Mother's Day to Moms - You are Appreciated
Our #1 Job is Capturing Leads (& the Story of Snoopy)
What's the difference between a SHORT SALE and an REO Bank-Owned Home?
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
I hate to say it but you sound like an old timer. If you arent giving away the info somebody else will be
Regina, good info. I still fight over how much I should give before I ask. I've been burned (used) several times by people and I tend to swing from too much give away and not enough. This is good info for me and gives me something to consider.
Excelent post. I agree with what you wrote here to a point. Russ has a good point as well. However, the gift giving has to be sincere. However, if it gets a bit too much, it's always just fine to refer it out to someone that might be able to help that particualr individual (if there not in your particular market). I do make it a point to ask for the business though. They can either say yes or no, no feelings hurt and you continue on.
Thanks
Lawrence
Excellent post- you are right we can give away with the help of maybe getting some business in the end. I don't mind if I know the person would return the favor.
Three is a good number---and it establishes a give and take before you ask for the business.
Really good advice. I have a tendancey to give away the farm (no pun intended) to whoever I'm speaking to at the time.
Sometimes we don't realize that we are often giving away our most valuable asset - our time and expertise. By giving free advice. Which is fine, but we have to keep a balance and realize that the bulk of our work time should be spent with paying customers!
Hi Regina, I have a tendency to give too much. This week-end I had a chance to rein in that impulse and was very pleased that I did.
Shirley, good for you! It's always a constant evaluation of give-and-take, isn't it!
This is a great post. I have a tendency of giving away too much to my online prospects in hope of getting some return from them. This is a great reminder! Excellent post as always. Thanks.
Good food for thought. I find that you can give out so much info that people will drown in it, and then turn to you for the life preserver.
Carla, that is true. If you show a seller, for example, exactly all the steps needed to sell their house, it doesn't look so easy after all, and then they ask you to sell it for them.
Interesting post. Thanks for your ideas.
Alice & Jim, thanks for stopping by! Good luck to you in your business.