Nurture Relationships

In social CRM, Marketing, Community Management, or whatever aspect of online networking you are a part of there is always one thing that matters. The people that you interact with, the people you talk to, Retweet, however you decide to be “a part of the conversation” are all potentials. A potential client, a potential friend, really the potentials are huge.

Nurturing your online relationships is just like handling any other relationship. Online or offline the way we compose ourselves and handle situations is a genuine reflection of character. As someone who works mainly in maintaining these online relationships – even with people whom I have not met in person – is a trait that I take pride in. As many others can vouch, the relationships will build translate for business, long-term friends, or maybe even more.

The point that I’m hoping to drive home is that if you’re changing personas from what someone knows of you online into someone completely different (multiple personality disorder?) then whatever relationship you have built with that person online essentially gets shattered when the “IRL” meeting happens.

I Tweeted a few days back saying that I will do my best to never bullshit anyone. I do my best to be truthful, honest, and if that relates to sometimes coming across as hostile, for that I apologize.

The relationships that one manages every day, matter. As people connected in a social, online atmosphere we’re entrusted to be the same person wherever we are, whoever we interact with. One of the best, and possibly funniest examples I have come across recently is by my friend Phil Buckley (@1918). Read the comments on his post. As more people chimed in for the comments, the true reality of online relationships became more and more apparent.

As relationships get built, so does trust; what relationship ever works without trust? Build trust, build relationships, build social.

Image Credit – Bikingbettie

Build Communities

The other day while while I was at Caribou Coffee (@Caribou_Coffee) I sent out this tweet:

Those few words have really been sticking with me since then, and they have really brought a true perspective into the way we’re looking at the new businesses we’re building, and more importantly the businesses we’re expanding.  The awareness of a company’s community and the people who are constantly engaged with them, have become just as big a part of the mission as increased sales and revenue.

The fact that a community is the primary factor leads to a much closer relationship with your clients/partners/employees and anyone else your company even interacts with. Your community is a factor of:

• Culture
• Caring
• Engagement
• Empathy

They are simple human elements that should become a factor of every company core.

What do you think? Where does your community begin? Your empire?