Using Social Media to Expand Your Network

Presented by Cheryl Bella

Three Square Social MediaThree Square Social Media

• Keys to successKeys to success• Post oftenPost often

• Post different kinds of contentPost different kinds of content• Post lots of photosPost lots of photos

• Engage current supportersEngage current supporters• Offline – volunteer groups, printed Offline – volunteer groups, printed materials, etc.materials, etc.• Online – all electronic communicationOnline – all electronic communication

Three Square Social MediaThree Square Social Media

• BenefitsBenefits• Active Fan baseActive Fan base• Quick, inexpensive communication to Quick, inexpensive communication to keep supporters up-to-date on Three keep supporters up-to-date on Three Square activitiesSquare activities• Ability to mobilize supportersAbility to mobilize supporters• Additional ROI for corporate sponsorsAdditional ROI for corporate sponsors

Social Media –Social Media –The Virtual Front YardThe Virtual Front Yard

• Formal, professional • Public platform

• Weak personal tie

• Only communicate with online

Offline Front YardOffline Front Yard

► Come to Chamber meetings Come to Chamber meetings occasionallyoccasionally

► Member of other professional groupsMember of other professional groups► Make an effort to meet peopleMake an effort to meet people► Collect business cards; add to Collect business cards; add to

databasedatabase

The BackyardThe BackyardWhere public conversations become more Where public conversations become more

privateprivate

► Facebook – Facebook – InboxInbox

► Twitter – Direct Twitter – Direct MessageMessage

► LinkedIn – Reply LinkedIn – Reply PrivatelyPrivately

The BackyardThe BackyardWhere public conversations become more Where public conversations become more

privateprivate

► Become active in your Chamber or Become active in your Chamber or professional groupprofessional group Join boards, councils, committeesJoin boards, councils, committees

► Host networking eventsHost networking events► Connecting people to each otherConnecting people to each other

““Getting invited into the Getting invited into the backyard backyard

is kind of a big deal, and that is kind of a big deal, and that should also be a goal if you should also be a goal if you

want to deepen engagement want to deepen engagement with some of your ties.”with some of your ties.”

Debra Askanase Debra Askanase

Communityorganizer20.comCommunityorganizer20.com

The KitchenThe KitchenDirect communication outside of social Direct communication outside of social

mediamedia

• Direct emails

• Telephone

conversations

• In person

meetings

Strength Progression of Strength Progression of Social Media tiesSocial Media ties

Connected on one social media platform

Begin private conversations on social media

May connect on other platforms to strengthen the relationship

Conversations expand; move from social media to email

Explore collaboration and opportunities

Stronger interpersonal connectivity, business & friendships develop

Communication moves to phone, in person

Weak Tie ---------------- Stronger Tie --------------- Strongest Personal Tie

http://www.communityorganizer20.com/2009/12/09/front-yard-and-back-yard-conversations/

Your Virtual NeighborhoodYour Virtual Neighborhood

Front Yard Backyard Kitchen

Staying in Touch

Getting to Know Your Neighbors

Online Networking is Still Online Networking is Still NetworkingNetworking

► It’s all about relationships – social media It’s all about relationships – social media

builds relationshipsbuilds relationships► You need to be “present” and in front of You need to be “present” and in front of

your networkyour network► You need to invest timeYou need to invest time► Quality of contacts more important thanQuality of contacts more important than

quantityquantity

Social Media - Social Media -

► Saves you timeSaves you time► Keep your network up-to-date on you Keep your network up-to-date on you

and and

you up-to-date on themyou up-to-date on them► Makes it easier to stay connectedMakes it easier to stay connected► Can give reasons/excuses to get in Can give reasons/excuses to get in

touchtouch

Real Benefit of Social MediaReal Benefit of Social Media

Provides a new way to engage Provides a new way to engage and communicate with your and communicate with your

networknetwork

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION