It's the Relationship Economy!

As most of you know I've spent the last several years in the nonprofit world, in marketing, fundraising, building attendance for a science center, and in product sales. The one common denominator in all of this is relationships. Whether you are in sales, marketing, the financial sector----for profit or nonprofit---it's all about relationships. 

You need to have the communications skills to connect with people at all levels quickly----from the heart. If you're faking, they will see right through you. If you're real, they will notice. 

First impressions count. How do you look, do you smile, connect with a genuine handshake or a slick one? Do you genuinely care about the other person and convey that? 

This blog is about creating community and a two-way dialogue with customers by using social media, but it's also about what you do in real life. 

If you remember one thing, please remember this: Nothing is more important than building relationships with the people you come to meet and get to know.

How to Create Great Tweets & Blog Posts!

If you want people to read your tweets and blog posts you need to think more about your readers as "customers." What kind of "experience" do you want them to have when they read your post? They can range from ho hum blah to a great experience where they want to RT you and forward your blog post.

So what's the secret to great posts?
1. Be interesting or be dead. Nobody wants dull, boring and lackluster.
2. Be relevant Twitter. If you are on Twitter ask yourself if anyone really cares if you are on a boat, having a beer, eating a burger, at a ballgame, etc? If they do, that's great. If they don't, don't tweet it! What do your followers care about? Why are they following you? What do they expect to hear from you? Have you considered asking your followers and turning Twitter into a two-way communication device? Create "community." After all, that's what Groundswell is about.
3. Be relevant Blogs: Post relevant and interesting stories. NEW information people can't get anywhere else.
4. If you write about sites include the links.
5. Tell stories! People love examples through real stories and it helps them remember. The best story telling techniques?

• Use emotion and drama
• Keep it simple
• Keep it interesting

This Is What People Want Right Now!

When it comes to marketing and advertising, this is what people want right now. Build your themes around these, and they will resonate with your customers:

• People want hope.
• People want a sense of community and connection. Help them do that.
• People will get behind a cause if they feel they can truly make a difference.
• People want to make a difference for one thing, not generalities. (Example: They are more likely to donate for something specific vs. an organization).
• They are open to bridging class divides (see the films that are popular right now).
• They are open to escape.
• They are open to parallels to the depression era and what was popular then.