With Jonathan Christian

Just back from a great day of sales coaching with a brand new client. He hired me to help his company develop a social media strategy, even though he’s not totally convinced it’s relevant. But he’s wise enough to see where the future of marketing lies and he wants to make sure he’s keeping up with leaders in his industry. Smart.

What? I always find the best way to truly learn about a company (and where their niche is) is to interview some of their customers. So off I went with their lead account manager to connect with key clients. I was introduced as a social media consultant who’s helping them tell their company story in the new SM arena. As we were leaving a meeting I thanked their client for her time and for being so willing to explain how their relationship with my client has been mutually beneficial.

Why? Having received her business card I sent her an email – once again thanking her for her time and telling her how interesting it was to learn about their products and services. It was then that I had an ‘aha’ moment. “I wonder if she’s on Twitter?” She was. So I chose to follow her – and at once I got a snap shot of who she is and the type of people she follows – as well as those who follow her. Then I thought, “What about Linked in?” Sure enough there she was, and I was able to learn all about her education, aspirations and business connections. I made a request that we connect on LinkedIn.

How? We’ve covered how to follow on Twitter and connect on LinkedIn, I know, but I’m not sure I really got the value of the “how.” Now, here I am, connected in a personal way with an excellent contact in the local business community, and a prospective future customer. (This isn’t stalking, by the way, these connections are based on mutual consent – the essence of social media). From here on we’ll continue to communicate and our business relationship will develop. (Can you imagine this person becoming a future client? Of course.)

Tipzntrix: In the past I would always Google a company prior to contacting and I would carefully study their website. But now, thanks to the wonderful world of Social Media I can go one step closer by learning about and connecting with key individuals in a far more personal way. This is revolutionary!

Your task: Here’s your Friday challenge. First, be sure you’re on LinkedIn and Twitter. If you are, go back to your profiles and start wordsmithing. Be sure that you write a clear picture of who you are and what you care about, and who you want to work with (and what you love to do) in your business. Imagine potential vendors and customers looking you up just as I did in today’s example. See you next week (or on Twitter @jdgem or LinkedIn at http://ca.linkedin.com/in/jdgem ).

Ps – Door prizes at tomorrow’s Social Media Challenge Meetup gathering in Langley are valued at “over $1000″ and include sales and marketing coaching sessions with both Jonathan Christian and Neil Godin – as well as Neil’s ‘Business Builders Tool Kit.’ Come out and meet other business people who want to answer this question: “How can I use social media to build my business?” Meetup details are spelled out below. Be sure to come early (9 a.m. registration) and catch a presentation by image makeover expert, Debbie Reynolds. There is no charge for the entire morning.

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Next Social Media Challenge Meetup gathering: This Saturday in Langley, BC

This is your invitation to attend our next Social Media Meetup Gathering.

Special Note: This Meetup marks the half-way point in our 90-Day “Marketing Dangerously Social Media Challenge”

What: Our live Meetup gatherings are all designed to answer this question: “How can you use social media to build your business?”

Why: Because we’ve all got to learn this brand new language – if we want to grow our sales without spending money on old fashioned advertising.

When: Saturday, August 7, 2010.

Where: The Hampton Hotel, Langley Bypass (West of 200 Street, on the south side).

Time: 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (But you’re invited to come at 9 a.m. for a f*re-e additional presentation by image makeover expert Debbie Reynolds).

Speaker: Neil Godin, Author of ‘Selling in the (Comfort) Zone,’ and Publisher of Marketing Dangerously.

Registration fee: No charge.

Note: We are challenging you to help us double attendance at this month’s Meetup. Please read all the details below.

Door prizes: Join the fun and participate in door prizes worth over $1000

About your speaker:

Neil Godin (a.k.a. The Turnaround Guy ^Ò ) is publisher of “Marketing Dangerously,” the marketing and sales coaching and “idea” service for business builders, and author of “Selling in the (Comfort) Zone” (available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other outlets). As a speaker Neil has presented to more than 300,000 business people from coast to coast in Canada and the United States. While his client list includes majors like Shell, Ford, The Royal Bank, Telus, Dun & Bradstreet, Subway and McDonalds, Neil works mainly with independent  businesses, and specializes in turnaround marketing work with small to mid-size companies in crisis. In these turnaround cases, sales always have to be doubled or tripled — immediately — and at minimal cost — and in his presentations, Neil shares ideas from his turnaround work that can help any company – in any condition – to ramp up their sales – now! In this special presentation, Neil will share what he and colleague Jonathan Christian have learned (so far) about using social media to drive business – and how you can use social media marketing to build your business as well. Key point: Like the internet itself, social media is here to stay – and – you’re missing a huge opportunity if you stay on the sidelines. Why not RSVP right now at  http://www.meetup.com/The-Marketing-Dangerously-Social-Media-Challenge/and we’ll see you on August 7.

Announcing a brand new partnership: “The Vancouver Business Builders Forum”

Starting with this Meetup gathering on Saturday, August 7, Marketing Dangerously is joining forces with three powerful business coaches – Shane Morgan, Steve Keough (aka “Coach Steve”), and Debbie Reynolds – to form The Vancouver Business Builders Forum. For now, the group will continue to meet once a month in Langley (Metro Vancouver), BC.  This month the forum will feature Debbie Reynolds at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Marketing Dangerously Social Media Challenge Meetup at 11 a.m., with Neil Godin. Important note: Registration opens at 9 a.m. and you are invited to attend the entire morning event “at no charge.” And we encourage you to invite your business friends to attend at no charge as well.

Here’s our August 7 Social Media Challenge to “you”

We have had a consistent turnout of about 40+ people at each monthly Meetup Gathering. This month, we want to double that number to 80+ – even though we’re competing with beautiful weather on a summer weekend. Can we do it? Yes, but only with your help. Here’s what we’re asking you to do:

1. Forward this email to every business colleague in your address book. (Your friends will thank you for alerting them to this totally f*re-e business building opportunity.)
2. Post messages on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn (etc.), letting people in your network know about our event.
3. Personally ask at least one business colleague to attend the Meetup event with you (why not two?)
4. RSVP for the event – why not do it now? – at http://www.meetup.com/The-Marketing-Dangerously-Social-Media-Challenge/

Thank you! Neil, Jonathan and the Marketing Dangerously Tribe.