As a personal brand you are in the business of people and relationships, which is the currency, that business is built upon. My good friend George C. Fraser put it best with the following quote.
“Business is about relationships. Without relationships you have no business. Without relationships you have no business being in business. I am going to tell you what no one has ever told you, you are in the business of building relationships.” – George C. Fraser, Author of Click.
Relationships are not numbers. Facebook friends, Twitter followers and Linkedin connections are geographically dispersed or concentrated communities of passionate people that can enable you to grow personally and professionally, spread ideas, build your reputation, build influence and create demand.
The last time I checked life was a team sport.
Nine Tips for Building Relationships
1. Build it before you need it – The worst time to build something is in the middle of the storm, build your network before you need to use it.
2. Add value – Give before you get. Givers get more than takers any day of the week.
3. Maintain trust – Gaining the trust of another requires you be competent and reliable. It also requires you to leave someone with a positive emotional impression . . . – Chris Brogan (Trust Agents)
4. Be irresistible – What is it about you that people can’t live without? You need to know what it is.
5. Re-tweet - Show some love to your Followers and other posters
6. Develop Second Degree Relationships – Linkedin or other social network connections that are created through your network that you didn’t invite in directly can be very valuable connections. Remember opportunities can come through people you do not know.
7. Write Blog Comments – The greatest gift you can give another blogger is a comment. (I need to do a better job myself in this area)
8. Meet People Face-to-Face – Nothing beats face to face, attend tweetups and meetups
9. Swim in different circles – Expand the circles that you travel in.
Human Networks
• Seth Godin calls them Tribes
• Twitter calls them Followers
• Facebook calls them Friends
• Chris Brogan calls them Trust Agents
Whatever you call your network they are all made up of people, treat them with care.
