It is good practice to have as many contacts as possible, but you also need to invest time into creating valuable relationships with your contacts. Spending time making contacts isn’t necessarily wasteful, unless you neglect to take it a step further. Time has value and needs to be spent effectively in order to gain the most benefit.
Start by focusing on the contacts you already have. What information do you have in your database? What is their business relationship with you; what interactions have you had; and what general info do you have that might help initiate conversations? Remember that current info is vital, and the last thing you want to do is waste valuable time using redundant data/information.
For most of us, the task of building contacts through social networking is to secure as much attention as possible from as many people possible. It’s a good start, but if you are always focused on building a wide network, are you truly able to spend time developing those contacts?
Quality Vs Quantity
This is an issue of quality versus quantity. In today’s more popular parlance, it’s about who you know and who knows you. But, consider for a moment, who knows you well enough to recommend you? Do your contacts discuss your brand? Is there a certain level of mutual trust between you?
It’s all about developing ‘meaningful relationships’ with your contacts. You can have a lot of contacts, but if they do not provide you with any advantage, then they are of no use to you. You need to steady yourself, locate where the most value is, and begin building from there.
Locate contacts that can provide the most value to your brand – contacts that can help expand your reach. By spending time on specific contacts, you are thus improving the overall experience for both you and your contacts. These are the individuals who are more likely to endorse you and share your brand with the rest of the world.
Decide on what your goals are and have the end result in mind when you make a contact. What is it that you are looking for? While it is good practice to jump at every opportunity that presents itself, it is crucial that you make the most of that opportunity as well.
By working to build value rather than just building a bigger list, you are able to spend your time effectively and get the best for your business.
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