10 Ways to Provide Better Follow-Up Through Social Media | Direct Sales and Social Media | Jennifer Fong's Blog
10 Ways to Provide Better Follow-Up Through Social Media
April 8, 2010 by Jennifer Fong
As direct sellers, we all know that the real money is in the follow-up. You’ll get the reorder if the person hears from you when they need something. You’ll get a new consultant on your team when they hear from you when they’re ready for the business. But the problem is, as direct sellers, we’re not just focused on a handful of people. And following up with hundreds or even thousands of leads every month through phone calls can become incredibly overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are social media tools available that help you provide better follow-up. How much more money could you make if you followed up with every single lead you have? Here are 10 ways to get started:
Invite every single customer you work with to join you on Facebook. Comment on their posts now and then so they hear from you.
Put your customers and prospects in friend lists on Facebook and Lists on Twitter. Make sure to look at those lists during your social media marketing time, and focus exclusively on building relationships and interacting with those folks.
Set up an autoresponder that allows you to send customized messages to everyone (or a subsection) on your list periodically. These can be as simple as “Dear {firstname}, How are things going? I was thinking of you and thought I’d say hi. I know we talked about (the opportunity, product x, etc…your autoresponder lists can be segmented by things like this if you set it up correctly) the last time we spoke. We’re having a special this month. Would love to connect if you have time. When is a good time for me to call?”
Invite all prospects to join a Page you’ve set up just for them. Provide value. Regularly. So they come back.
After a face-to-face meeting, send a private message through Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, letting the person know how much you appreciated their time.
Create an enewsletter that goes to all prospects. Provide value. Regularly. (80% content, 20% your biz)
Send a tweet to 5 prospects on Twitter each day, to just say hi, ask how their day is going, and see how you can help them.
Post a good article to the groups you’re part of on LinkedIn. When the daily digests are emailed to members, or they visit the group, they’ll see your name.
Share articles of value with your prospects within your Page, or Profile. If it meets their needs, they’ll be reminded of you.
Hold a special, value-based event for your prospects. Something they’ll get value from whether they join/buy or not. Maybe you have a call where an accountant friend talks about oft-missed tax deductions. Maybe you talk about anti-aging tips like exercise, and drinking water. Whatever it is, invite your prospect groups to join in without cost. It’s a great way to remind them about you without beating them over the head with your sales/recruiting message.
Every direct seller can get better at follow-up. By employing even a handful of the strategies described above, you can stay fresh in the minds of your prospects, in order to be there when they’re ready to join or make a purchase.
Now it’s your turn! How do you use social media to provide better follow-up for your prospects and customers?
9 Responses to 10 Ways to Provide Better Follow-Up Through Social Media
April 19, 2010 | 5:50 pm
It’s often been said that following up by email is not effective, that a live phone call is the only way. Now, the world is changing and social media is mostly accepted as a way of communication.
How would you respond to someone who says you shouldn’t use social media (just like you shouldn’t use email) for follow-ups?
April 8, 2010 | 12:06 pm
Whoa! Gag! I stopped reading at #2! If I got that message in an email or a phone call I would make the sign of the cross and run the other way! It worked for me until “I would love to connect” and “When is a good time to call?” I feel the buzz word(s) are a dead give away that you are a “V” or a bloodsucking vampire! When is a good time to call – really? Does anyone want to talk on the phone anymore – especially to someone selling something? Yes the person my want your special and even to talk to you but during the course of the conversation there must be something more natural and flowing and less obvious!
I did continue reading by the way and loved the other points.
April 8, 2010 | 12:07 pm
Opps! I meant #3!
LOL Kim! Perhaps that one wouldn’t work for you then. I simply was trying to make the point that you should avoid a yes/no question. Open ended is the way to go! And also I was making the point that we don’t stop at the email…we want these follow-up opportunities to turn into an opportunity for voice/face-to-face contact. After all, that’s what direct selling is all about!
Point taken! And thank you so much for doing what you do. You are so helpful to so many!
April 8, 2010 | 12:16 pm
Dawn, great question. I would say that social media can often facilitate the call or meeting. We need to connect with people where they are. And if the choice is between a live phone call and not at all, I’ll choose social media every day of the week!
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Trackback URL http://www.jenfongspeaks.com/10-ways-to-provide-better-follow-up-through-social-media/trackback/
10 Ways to Provide Better Follow-Up Through Social Media | Direct Sales and Social Media | Jennifer Fong's Blog
10 Ways to Provide Better Follow-Up Through Social Media
April 8, 2010 by Jennifer Fong
As direct sellers, we all know that the real money is in the follow-up. You’ll get the reorder if the person hears from you when they need something. You’ll get a new consultant on your team when they hear from you when they’re ready for the business. But the problem is, as direct sellers, we’re not just focused on a handful of people. And following up with hundreds or even thousands of leads every month through phone calls can become incredibly overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are social media tools available that help you provide better follow-up. How much more money could you make if you followed up with every single lead you have? Here are 10 ways to get started:
Invite every single customer you work with to join you on Facebook. Comment on their posts now and then so they hear from you.
Put your customers and prospects in friend lists on Facebook and Lists on Twitter. Make sure to look at those lists during your social media marketing time, and focus exclusively on building relationships and interacting with those folks.
Set up an autoresponder that allows you to send customized messages to everyone (or a subsection) on your list periodically. These can be as simple as “Dear {firstname}, How are things going? I was thinking of you and thought I’d say hi. I know we talked about (the opportunity, product x, etc…your autoresponder lists can be segmented by things like this if you set it up correctly) the last time we spoke. We’re having a special this month. Would love to connect if you have time. When is a good time for me to call?”
Invite all prospects to join a Page you’ve set up just for them. Provide value. Regularly. So they come back.
After a face-to-face meeting, send a private message through Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, letting the person know how much you appreciated their time.
Create an enewsletter that goes to all prospects. Provide value. Regularly. (80% content, 20% your biz)
Send a tweet to 5 prospects on Twitter each day, to just say hi, ask how their day is going, and see how you can help them.
Post a good article to the groups you’re part of on LinkedIn. When the daily digests are emailed to members, or they visit the group, they’ll see your name.
Share articles of value with your prospects within your Page, or Profile. If it meets their needs, they’ll be reminded of you.
Hold a special, value-based event for your prospects. Something they’ll get value from whether they join/buy or not. Maybe you have a call where an accountant friend talks about oft-missed tax deduct
ions. Maybe you talk about anti-aging tips like exercise, and drinking water. Whatever it is, invite your prospect groups to join in without cost. It’s a great way to remind them about you without beating them over the head with your sales/recruiting message.
Every direct seller can get better at follow-up. By employing even a handful of the strategies described above, you can stay fresh in the minds of your prospects, in order to be there when they’re ready to join or make a purchase.
Now it’s your turn! How do you use social media to provide better follow-up for your prospects and customers?
9 Responses to 10 Ways to Provide Better Follow-Up Through Social Media
April 19, 2010 | 5:50 pm
It’s often been said that following up by email is not effective, that a live phone call is the only way. Now, the world is changing and social media is mostly accepted as a way of communication.
How would you respond to someone who says you shouldn’t use social media (just like you shouldn’t use email) for follow-ups?
April 8, 2010 | 12:06 pm
Whoa! Gag! I stopped reading at #2! If I got that message in an email or a phone call I would make the sign of the cross and run the other way! It worked for me until “I would love to connect” and “When is a good time to call?” I feel the buzz word(s) are a dead give away that you are a “V” or a bloodsucking vampire! When is a good time to call – really? Does anyone want to talk on the phone anymore – especially to someone selling something? Yes the person my want your special and even to talk to you but during the course of the conversation there must be something more natural and flowing and less obvious!
I did continue reading by the way and loved the other points.
April 8, 2010 | 12:07 pm
Opps! I meant #3!
LOL Kim! Perhaps that one wouldn’t work for you then. I simply was trying to make the point that you should avoid a yes/no question. Open ended is the way to go! And also I was making the point that we don’t stop at the email…we want these follow-up opportunities to turn into an opportunity for voice/face-to-face contact. After all, that’s what direct selling is all about!
Point taken! And thank you so much for doing what you do. You are so helpful to so many!
April 8, 2010 | 12:16 pm
Dawn, great question. I would say that social media can often facilitate the call or meeting. We need to connect with people where they are. And if the choice is between a live phone call and not at all, I’ll choose social media every day of the week!
Tweets that mention 10 Ways to Provide Better Follow-Up Through Social Media | Direct Sales and Social Media -- Topsy.com
Trackback URL http://www.jenfongspeaks.com/10-ways-to-provide-better-follow-up-through-social-media/trackback/