Social media dilemma #4 – Should I repsond to everyone?

Another question that was frequently asked in our Twitter seminars (one more coming up April 23rd) was “Do I really need to respond to everyone that contacts me?” and the simple answer is yes, you should at least try, because there is a reason it’s called social media.

As with any cultivation of a relationship, you typically interact to grow your bond. Social media is only a medium for that relationship building; the rules of relationship building haven’t necessarily changed because the platform evolves. Social media tweaks what this interaction looks like, the experience itself adjusts, but it’s still creating relationships.

Four years ago, for example, you may have used e-mail to make introductions, or you may have met people through a networking meeting, a volunteer capacity or by a referral. Today the picture more often looks like an exchange of information via the Internet (social media or web 2.0) which allows you to share information with someone you may not know well or even at all, gain credibility via this exchange of knowledge and then you may consider adding them to your sales process. I was recently on a webinar with Brent Leary where he discussed such an exchange with a personal contact over biscuits (via Twitter). Popeye’s Chicken, someone from the company, was monitoring key words, which one must have been biscuits, and jumped in to their conversation with a funny retort. This made Brent reply to them about their funny comment, started following them (via Twitter), blogged about the experience, did a podcast on the topic and ultimately went to Popeye’s Chicken for lunch within the following week (and now I’m sharing with all of you). That’s a lot of exposure for saying something funny about a biscuit.

So yes, do your best to respond to anyone who engages in a conversation with you, asks a question or seeks support or advice. This exchange only leads to a great experience of interacting with you, and could begin a series of its own social media and web 2.0 blitz.