Persoanl Social Marketing by Cara Lumen

One of the most important books I read a long time ago was Dale Carnegie's "How To Win Friends and Influence People." It gave me the tools to approach all social situations with a degree of comfort that I had not felt before. The bottom line was, "People love to talk about themselves." So all you really have to do is ask an open question that will get them started. Then you simple listen.

And that's what marketing is all about. Listening to others to determine their needs and if you have a service or product that could meet that need, you share that information with them.

We are actually "marketing" all the time. Whenever we show up, we are representing ourselves and our values. Whatever we say to others reflects our philosophy and degree of compassion. The extent to which we give a person our full attention lets them know how deeply we care about what it going on in their life.

We can take it a step further. Never leave home without your business card. A business card is not a brochure; it is a simple reminder. You will have already had the conversation that leads to the card exchange so having your contact information and a meaningful tag line is all it needs. You do want there to be an exchange of contact information. If, through your social conversation, you feel there is a fit in interests or services, ask for that person's card and offer them yours. The social situation is not the place to make a sale. It is a place to make a contact, to begin a relationship, which you will then nurture and expand through a follow up call or the forwarding of materials that might have been discussed in the conversation.

Not everyone is your potential client. In fact, if you start looking at the people you meet as a potential "referral partner," the conversation structure will change. It becomes "How can I help you build your business?" not "Here's what I have to offer you." Which would you rather hear? The offer of collaboration, not sales, I imagine. There is a subtle shift in the relationship when you are speaking to someone as a business peer rather than someone in need of what you have to offer. It's empowering for both of you.

Cherish the opening the social conversation offers. People come into our lives as a gift. Sometimes we like the gift, sometimes we don't, but there is always a gift of reflection-reflection of what we are sending forth and what we are attracting. Social interaction is a thermometer to show you what vibrations you are sending out. It offers you the opportunity to attract more of what is working and less of what is not.

"Do unto others" is a primary principle in marketing. Who do you buy from? The person that makes you feel good. The person who remembers who you are. The person who listens and understands your needs. That's who. So treat others as you would like to be treated-with respect, compassion, and support.

We're taught to do things in marketing to "build relationship" like opt-ins, e-magazines, free conference calls, post cards and special discounts. How you follow through on the connection you have made in a social situation is key to your successful marketing.

Think of a social situation as an opportunity to simple connect with others, find new people who share your interests, and identify those who can give you insights into a new possibility for your endeavors. Don't work at it, BE it. Just be who you are. Reach out to others and take care of them when you connect. Then let the Law of Attraction bring to you exactly who you need to learn from and share with in your life and business endeavors.

Cara Lumen, MA, Your Idea Optimizer helps you turn your ideas into steady profit. As a business developer, content developer and educator, Cara helps you make money from what you already know. You can learn more about how to put your wisdom to work through her radio show www.blogtalkradio.com/passioantelyonpurpose and her Passionately On Purpose emagazine at www.caralumen.com