My grandma taught us to behave well, to be kind, and to address our peers as well as our superiors with respect. She taught us how to embrace our unique personalities and talents, but to be polite, thoughtful, and considerate at the same time. Grandma showed us to pay attention to details and she never forgot to say please and thank you. 

With her help, we learned the value of writing hand-written thank you notes and even today, I still write those knowing that they are a rarity in an age of e-mails, text messages, and hashtags.

Even though your grandma might not be savvy on the newest Facebook and Twitter trends, she can still teach you a lot about social media marketing.

Today, we live in a world that is saturated with the newest online conversational piece. Electronics are truly the go-to when it comes to marketing yourself or your small business and it can be easy to dwell on the numbers you’re trying to reach, while forgetting about the actual people that you are marketing to. 

This is where traditional manners and genuine personal interactions with customers or potential clients make a huge difference; this is what makes your small business stand out!

For example, when I recently connected with a small business owner as a potential client on LinkedIn, instead of sending the standard default Linkedin invitation, which looks like this: 

Linkedin Invitation to Connect

I sent a more personal note, like this:

Personal Linkedin Invitation to Connect

 I got a personal reply back that said, “Thanks for the invite! I look forward to getting to know you a bit better when we talk next week!”  My potential client didn’t just accept a social media invitation, but it made her engage with me, instead of just clicking the “accept” button automatically. Make the effort to go the extra mile with a personal note. It makes a huge difference.

Another example: Don’t send an automated response to new followers on Twitter. Instead, take 5 minutes to send a quick personal thank you:

twitter marketing So how can common courtesy and attention to specifics make all the difference when you’re using social media to market your business?

  1. Don’t forget the details. 
    It seems like a no-brainer, but when you’re posting on various social media sites, be sure that you proof read your posts. Make sure that you have used correct grammar and spelling. Your posts are a reflection of who you are and what your business stands for.  It’s important to come across as someone who cares about the little things – if you don’t show precision, your business may be disregarded as sloppy or aloof.
  2. Be accurate.
    There is nothing more discrediting than not doing your research. Don’t post links or share information that you haven’t checked for accuracy, or are outdated.  Take the time and make sure that you investigate before you share a post or link so you don’t have to go back to mend damage that might have been done. This does not reflect well for your business.
  3. Don’t forget to express your thanks. 
    Don’t overlook what your granny taught you – say thank you! When someone sends you a friend request, writes something on your Twitter page, or makes the effort to like your Page – acknowledge it –  write a quick thank you note. This will give you the opportunity to create credibility in your client’s eyes and will help strengthen your budding business relationship. It shows that you are in the business of providing great, personalized service instead of just making the next dollar.

    So listen to grandma’s advice.  It resonates not only with your personal life, but with business and life in a technology filled world.  It may take a little more of your time and effort, but it is worth it!

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