TMI: Getting to Know You

Commenting about the remarkable people in our social networks, I surprised Shonali with the reveal that I passed on an engineering scholarship and accepted a communications scholarship to LSU. Geaux Tigers as I loved every minute of it!

Getting to Know Me, You.. Each Other
someecards.com - Your online comments make me glad I only know you online

Inside the Actor’s Studio host James Lipton does a modified version of a Pivot/Proust questionnaire. A couple of the questions he asks:

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Travel host like Samantha Brown, know it’s work but that job looks all kinds of dreamy. Run a B&B. No I can’t really cook and yes another real work job, but it just seems like it’d be nice to live somewhere fun and cool. Teacher. Overpaid.. anything really. (Anyone hiring?)

What profession would you NOT like to attempt?

Closer; hard sales is not my thang and I’d never drink the coffee (NSFW link). Number crunching, I’m ok at math but it doesn’t look fun. Politics, bomb tester, stunt double which are all kinda similar.

Getting to Know Them

How well do we know our customers? I have to admit I’m more focused on the business, the professional rather than the personal.

  • Do we know more than their names? How to reach them, if they prefer call, text, email or social?
  • Are we building relationships with them?
  • Do we know their wants, needs, their business goals? How we can help them do better?
  • Offer good service but don’t pretend to be friends?
  • How often do we check in with a friendly, personal email or call rather than automated newsletter?
  • Do we engage in ways that are relevant to the customer?
  • Are they social, where to do they draw the professional vs. personal line?

There are times getting to know each other via social media is a blessing, total fun discovery. Times when it’s too much for either your or them, times when it’s just smart business to get to know each other a little better. FWIW.

Photo credit: So many hilarious Someecard choices, I had to just pick or I’d waste even more time. And yes, I’m kidding.

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14 thoughts on “TMI: Getting to Know You

  1. [Professions you’d not like to attempt]: “Politics, bomb tester, stunt double which are all kinda similar.” Love it.

    I’ve grown closer to both colleagues and clients in the past couple of months via e-mail, Twitter, and LinkedIn than in the past couple of years, though, just by reaching out and providing support in my own limited, thousand-miles-apart way, to close the distance.

    I do one-off check-ins with random folks when they come to mind, just to let them know I’m thinking of them, and to ask about what’s come of plans they may have mentioned in passing. I found out a colleague’s husband was in surgery, another is desperately job-searching (she’s an editor, let me know if you have anything!), and a former client just spoke to Folks That Matter about turning his book into a film.

    I’m more of a people-watcher, and honestly it stresses me to have to be out and about, or even to talk on the phone regularly. But there is so little asked of us introverts in relationships with colleagues and clients online, I’d be ashamed if I didn’t at least try. Of course, I naturally know much more about my long-standing, individual clients than establishments who just push work at me and wait for me to push it back.
    Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Working Green Packaging With The Packaging Diva

    1. I am working on it Shakirah and it’s about comfort zones. Some clients are fine with a little “get to know you” others not; I’m pushing more into getting to know their business, so I can better do my job.

      Working on another post about what we know, do we check in with others to see what’s going on with them, and I will admit: I miss things. I’ve ‘known’ Ingrid Abboud for a while now, but only just figured out she’s blogging from Lebanon. Like DUH, I need to read a little more, get to know folks better!

      I’m right there with you, meeting so many people via social networking. It works b/c we put in the time to connect. Thanks for laughing at my silliness.

  2. I love that quote used in your graphic. “Your online comments make me glad I only know you online” I feel that way about some of the people in my social network. Then again, some of the people I know beyond social networking seem to be a little different online than they are in real life. Getting to know the real person behind the social media icon makes connecting so much easier!
    Chelsea Thomas recently posted..Get Real- We’re All In It For The Money in some way- shape- or form

    1. It does go both ways Chelsea. Kinda like dating, you put on the one persona you want to be impressive and likable.. then you gotta start all over once things move forward, get to know the ‘real’ you. In social the idea is to be social, so when I know that I can talk wine with this person, or Disney with that.. connective tissue.

      From a marketing, customer standpoint I realize that applying that same social philosophy can help. Get to know the customers and clients, so you can know what they really want, need and develop those products and services that help them achieve those goals.

      I’m busy today, but I totally love your CommentLuv headline and WILL pay that post a visit. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Hi Davina

    I enjoy networking and have got to know people on the net through interaction on my blog, emailing them or on Twitter.

    Have noticed that just sending a personal tweet asking after them or remembering some information that they have shared shows I am interested in them as a person, not just as a customer.

    Offline I know a lot of my customers and the ones that re-order, I definitely am getting to know well 😉 It helps I have customers, rather than clients lol

    The products really sell themselves offline and on-line I’m learning more about the marketing side as it sure has some different aspects to it.

    Thanks for an enjoyable and informative post Davina. Appreciated.

    Patricia Perth Australia
    Patricia@lavender oil recently posted..The Lovely Lavender’s Smelling Sweet…Unlike Athlete’s Foot!

    1. Thanks Patricia. It’s a fine line and I’m trying to figure out what works best for me. I’ve mentioned before there’s a small biz owner who knows my name, helps me when she thinks she as things I would like; it’s not friendship, it’s good customer service. Knowing names, someone’s likes and dislikes, how and when they’d prefer to order.

      As a marketing consultant who has clients not customers, it’s where I’d like to go, a true counselor. Someone who understands the goals for the business, can truly make the communications strategies work towards achieving the business objectives.

      On the social side, I am always learning something new about those around me: that this person is from here, or that person likes this movie, or this person is a vegetarian. IDK these little ice breakers are part of what makes this fun for me, that it’s not all business. Knowing my community lets me know what kind of tweets to share, the blogs to write that will help others, offer more. FWIW.

  4. I think being real is key. I an introvert and somehow landed in a marketing/sales department filled with flaming extroverts. To their surprise, I did well because I was authentic which I suspect ,in some cases, makes it easier for people to trust.
    Riley
    Riley Harrison recently posted..GOAL SETTING THAT WORKS part 7

    1. I am too Riley, more introverted. Being real helps you, makes you easier to relate to because you believe, you don’t have to really “sell.” So when I rant or rant, it’s genuine not a marketing pitch. Thanks for stopping by.

  5. Hi Davina,

    I find that building rapport gives me the perfect angle to build relationships and get to know my clients on a persona basis. This comes with a plethora of benefits and very few negatives. the biggest negative is the time spent – but to me is a matter of investing!

    Relationship builds trust. Trust strengthens business and opens up more opportunity and referrals.

    Now, I’m a social guy. I love to interact with people and for me it’s natural. I suggest for anyone with a different skill set not try to fake it – because the backlash will be devastating.
    Jk Allen recently posted..What is a Hustler- and Why it’s NOT for Everyone

    1. I totally agree JK, you can’t fake or feign interest. You need to be yourself; relate on your own comfort level and let others do the same. One thing I’ve noticed about social media, particularly blogging is that as relationships develop, we get more comfortable and less reserved in our discussions.

      Some of the blogs I read get some nice, real conversations going because we seem to relax more around each other. It’s something I am trying to create here, somewhere where you can speak your mind, keep it real. Thanks for commenting.

      1. I love that JK – you can’t fake it!That’s what’s so cool about this blogosphere! I may be still new, but is it just me or are the people really so nice, supportive and friendly?

        Like you, JK, I love people so it’s easy for me – no faking required. Like You Davina, I’m about community building and about keeping it real!

        1. What’s cool Lori is that my ‘real’ may be different from Shonali’s, different from yours or JK’s. And that’s ok, in fact it’s BETTER as our differences are what make us fun to read, enrich the blogs and discussions we share. Thanks for sharing, happy Friday.

  6. I like to get to know my clients as well as they are comfortable with. That said, I still recognize that just because one knows more about the personal inclinations of someone one is doing business with, it doesn’t mean that the work will be given a hall pass – it still has to be good. But connecting on a more-than-business level does help, I think. So it’s always smart business… but the trick is in not exploiting it, IMHO.

    Thank you for the linky love, D!
    Shonali Burke recently posted..A Different Kind Of Green On St Patrick’s Day

    1. Definitely have to learn that comfort level Shonali, and I think it’s something that evolves over time organically, naturally. Some people are fine with a little friendly chit chat, others will want to keep it business. Another factor I think is time. We’re so rushed these days, everyone is on deadlines, it’s harder for the friendly chit chat. Agree it shouldn’t be exploited, or IMO faked. I flash back to those old movie, TV scenes when people have a Rolodex cheat sheet of spouse, kid names, other little details they pretend to know and care. When I wish someone a good holiday, or email asking how everyone fared during the snow storm, it’s genuine and professional courtesy. FWIW.

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