If you are at all interested in internet marketing or are doing anything on the internet at all, you know about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and its importance in building a presence online. And if you are at all like me, it’s somewhat mystifying. I mean I get it in theory, but I tend to get bogged down in HTML coding and the technical aspects of how this gets incorporated into web site development and design. I leave that stuff to my VA to figure out for the most part; so if you were looking for a post on that SEO you probably want to stop reading this now.
The SEO that I want to talk about is my own acronym that I like to use when I talk about relationship marketing. I believe that these components are key when you are trying to navigate the somewhat stormy seas of branding yourself and setting yourself apart…ok, are you ready?
S– is for Sincerity. When you are building relationships with people, you need to be sincere. IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU, it’s about person you’re having a conversation with. I’m going to repeat this because it bears repeating: IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU. Honestly, can you at least find out if what you’re pitching is something I even need? Give me some good quality information and let me get to know you and what you’re about before you tell me about your business. If we were at a party or a barbeque, would you run up and tell me why I need to be in your business or what you want me to buy from you? Gosh, I hope not!
E– is for Empathy. When I’m looking to do business with someone, I want some common ground. I want to know that you understand where I am coming from; that we have some commonalities. We have all experienced struggles and triumphs in our personal lives and our professional lives, let’s talk about our shared experiences a little. If you’re really listening, you might not only be able to empathize, but you might even be able to provide a solution to a problem I’m having.
O– is for Offer. Not that you have followed the “S” and the “E”, follow it up with the “O”. Offer your expertise to me in some area. Should you give away the farm, so to speak, no of course not; but the idea of “paying it forward” by offering something of value will pay you back many times over. Do it because you want to, not because you hope to gain something out of it. Ask me what I’m struggling with or what I’d like to know more about and point me in the right direction. It may even be that you offer expertise in a whole other area. For example, I have a background in special education and whenever I can offer some help or resource I do it because I can; for no other reason than that I love that I might possibly be able to help someone else in some small way. I like to be a problem solver, a solutions provider; it’s what really gives me joy.
Let’s face it, we’re all in this together and the effort you make to reach out and be genuine will bring you both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.
All the best…
Dani,
Really enjoyed your SEO acronym and how you laid it out here.
I’ve been heading up a team within our team about Twitter. Now mind you, I’ve only been on Twitter 6 months, & I’m no expert, but the one thing I stress to my little group is to not push their deal, but build relationships. Because of the 140 character limitation, it can be a challenge at times. It’s just human nature to want to spill out whatever we are proud to be a part of.
I haven’t branched out to social sites yet. When I do, I’ll have to remember to think like I post. Offer something of value or something others can relate to.
Thanks and happy to be following you on Twitter,
Karen
Nice job at breaking down relationship marketing into 3 easy to remember and 3 easy to implement steps.
Foe me, it’s all about being real!!
Always Grateful,
Andrea
As a building and heating contractor turning internet marketer, I couldn’t help but see the connection between online and offline businesses. Valuing these three core principles has made my offline business what it is today. You can’t buy enough advertising to offset a bad reputation and that’s exactly what you’ll have by thinking these don’t apply. There are other core truths that can’t be ignored as well, but these are very important.
Well said, Danielle