<center><a href="https://dsound.audio/#!/@terrybrock/20180520t202018116z-what-works-in-relationship-marketing-on-steemit-dsound-and-social-media"><img src="https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmR83RPpmKVoYzqKm3zJvUQs7E2qArJGKZGgbAzrm7XUVA" width="400px"></a></center>
<hr>
DSound- Relationship Marketing in Social Media, Steemit  --- and Anywhere Else

by Terry Brock for DSound, Steemit 

Social media and Steemit  are both about connecting with people. Unlike “blasting” a message before with email, it is about connecting with people as human beings first and listening to their needs and wants. This is what relationship marketing means. 

Here are some steps that can help as you embrace relationship marketing with social media:

Start by listening—-a lot! It is most important that you listen to what others are saying and where they are hurting before sharing your ideas. Don’t assume you know what they want and “blast” a message without genuinely listening to them and caring about what they need. Don’t assume. Make it your practice to listen and really hear what they are saying before responding. 
Provide value. In social media there are a couple of ways you can provide value to others. One is by providing fun or thought-provoking ideas. For this, think of fun or funny pictures, videos and quotes that get attention. These are best in platforms like Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. The other kind of value helps to solve a problem. For serious business you can use the same platforms but present your solutions in a more serious format. LinkedIn is unabashedly about business. Offering articles, audios, videos and other business-building concepts work best here. 
Use the right tools. I love using technologies that help me multiply my efforts. I talk about these regularly on my Steemit and DSound messages and in my speeches. This about using the right headset to cancel outside noise, make your voice more clear and get your ideas to text. You can speak faster than you can write so leverage this. I also love tools like Hootsuite and Bufferapp which help to program key messages to be delivered to carefully selected audiences at appropriate times. Always keep your eyes open for new tools and technologies that will enable you to do more with less. Technology has contributed to the success of human beings enormously through the centuries and it is only accelerating now. 
Abide by the protocols of the network. Each platform has certain protocols by which you should abide. Using Steemit is important and it is vital to recognize the protocols and practices that are accepted and what are not. Also, as mentioned previously, Linkedin is about business. This is not the place to put pictures of your cat, videos of your family trip to the beach or other more personal messages. Twitter is not the place to put long-form content, although you can provide a link to more in-depth material located elsewhere. Find what is right in that particular platform and abide by it. Think of it like wearing the proper clothes for the event. Don’t wear the same attire to the black-tie dinner that you would wear to a casual beach party. 
Use real names. Connect with people one-to-one using their real names. Personalize your messages where appropriate and where possible. The more specific and personal you can be, the more social it is, and the more effective it will be. Remember that Relationship Marketing is not about being fake. It requires you to be real and connect in meaningful, valuable ways with others. 
Cross-connect. A person is not a “Facebook person” or a “Linkedin person” They are human beings who all have various interests, desires, needs, and emergencies of the moment. Realize that people will connect with you and your content in various platforms. They might read an article you publish on Linkedin and then be interested in watching your YouTube video as a result. Use the advantages of each platform to better connect with people. 
Get active in groups. This is where social media becomes even more real. Steemit is working on Communities now and that will further improve this great platform. People like to interact with people who share similar interests. Facebook and LinkedIn provide wonderful resources for sharing and getting to know others as well as getting answers to your most pressing questions. Start by lurking in those groups that appeal to you. Provide solid value to others who have questions. Be careful to not overly promote yourself. Be a helper, not a hawker just trying to sell your stuff.
Make Follow-Up your cherished practice. Lots of people will do the right steps of getting to know someone, sending good follow-up email, and trying to line-up future business. However, in today's world many people have read those same journals and blog posts advocating that practice. Successful people continue to follow up in relevant, valuable ways that entice others to want to do business with them. Make it your point to follow-up in a way that makes people want to hear from you. You are engaged for the long haul, not just for a quick sale in true Relationship Marketing. 
Never rest on your laurels. Ouch! This is the really hard one! Let’s say you’ve done really well so far. Good for you! However, as the old football coach used to say," it ain't what you’ve done, it's what you've done lately that counts." It is far too easy to fall into the trap talking about how things were good "Back in the day." Well, whenever you're "day" was, it doesn't matter. What does matter is what you can do for people today. Throughout history success has always gone to the people who provide what others need today, in the present moment. Yes, it is nice to have successes in the past. This is important to build your credibility and resume for future work. But, what matters most is what you can bring to the table today to solve the current problem. 

Relationship marketing is still what matters most in business. The most successful business people are those who seek out, cultivate, and cherish True value for value relationships. Be the person who contributes to value and becomes magnetic because of the value you give others.

Bonus Point: Make it your regular practice to go the extra mile. We’ve heard this for a long time, yet it is still true. Those who give and provide value go far. Those who will go the extra mile and serve others beyond what the competition is doing are those who win the game again and again. This means putting in the extra hours. It means making those extra phone calls. It means going out of your way to provide value for others —- as they define value. 

If you practice these principles you will be successful not only in social media, but in business and life for a long time to come.

Terry Brock
@terrybrock - Steemit <hr>
      <a href="https://dsound.audio/#!/@terrybrock/20180520t202018116z-what-works-in-relationship-marketing-on-steemit-dsound-and-social-media">► Listen on DSound</a><br>
      <a href="https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmTbq31Y9JZzSQLF348CceBXgfhAWZLV76pfZZQHMZyLvu">► Listen from source (IPFS)</a>