In last week’s video from the series, Ali Reda’s Road to Sales Success, we began to learn more about using your social network to market your business. You see, working with Carlos has not only been a benefit to him. While we’ve been teaching him everything we know, he’s found ways to teach us an awful lot, too!

Last week we gave you a little bit of work to do, and a few guidelines to live within. 

Were you able to post a few experiences with your community? Isn’t it fun to share your excitement with your friends!?! I bet some of them even liked what you put out there. 

You know why? 

It’s because they care about you! 

They want to know what’s happening in your world. They want to be there for you in your tough moments, and they want to celebrate the good stuff with you! They want to hear what you’re excited about! They want to know what the new places you endorse in your neighborhood are because they value your opinion. They want to know because they’re your friends - they like you, trust you, and they believe in you. These are your people. This is your market.

I invite you to watch this week’s video to start making the most of social marketing!

Isn’t it funny? We think we have to be something we’re not - something better or more impressive for people to find our feed entertaining. But that’s not at all the case! The goal is the opposite - to put your sincerest, truest self out there so that you’ll be recognizable in person. 

Your friends want you! Just you. You don’t have to brand yourself. You don’t need a slogan. You’re a real person, and this is the relationship business. That’s what you’re supposed to build - real relationships.

So this week let’s expand on the work we started, yes? Share three posts again, and this time add these tips into your process.

• First and foremost, make sure you’re using your actual name.  He’s not Ali, the car guy. He’s just Ali Reda - friend and trusted advisor.

• Thank your community. Use one of those posts to call out a local hero. They don’t have to be rescuing damsels from burning buildings to be an amazing person who should be recognized. Who have you noticed? Is there someone in your neighborhood who goes to the grocery store for that sweet old lady that lives across the street? Is there a local bartender who really is giving the greatest advice? How about that friend of yours who is always there for you when you need them? Did she drop you off at the airport earlier this week? Did he bring you soup when you weren’t feeling well? Tell the story. People need to hear more good news.

• Tag people so they can share!

• • Know the guy who got that winning touchdown? Tag him!
  • Are you friends with someone who’s working at that new local restaurant? Tag.
  • Were you able to help your sister-in-law buy a new car? Yep, tag her too! 

And ask her to share the post. It’ll reach more people if she does, and she’ll probably have some nice things to add about her experience with you. After all, not everyone offers the kind of service that you do!

It only takes a minute to add this into your process, and it’s generating new business for Carlos already. People are coming in from out of town because they see that he’s really helping people. He’s having fun with the posts too - adding some extra flare that really makes it his! You should see it! Click here to follow Carlos Huerta on Facebook. 

Ali and I aren’t experts in this social world. We’re learning so much from Carlos about all this. Tell us in the comments below, are you new to this, too or a guru of this type of relationship marketing? Do you have concerns, or maybe some tips to share with us old-timers?’ Let’s do this together so we can all grow!