Introduction: Identify Your Social Media Networking Goals

What is Social Media Networking?

There’s a saying that goes, “It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.” And in today’s world, social media provides an invaluable way for you to gain that type of visibility. You can use social media to build relationships with colleagues, other influencers in your industry, potential clients, partners, and anyone else who could become a valuable resource in the future.

Social Media Networking is about building relationships and potentially lucrative connections with different types of people via different social media channels, such as LinkedIn and Facebook. On social media, you can connect with people who share your interests or have a need for your services, regardless of where in the world they’re located.

Even though Social Media Networking is done online and not in-person, it’s still all about genuine engagement – creating relationships, interacting with professionals who share your passion, building your following, and connecting with your online audience.

Building a strong social media network can benefit your career and business in many ways. But, it’s important to know that it’s not a one-way street: you should give as much as you take and provide value to your audience. This means helping others, providing solutions, and even introducing connections. You can also use Social Media Networking to share ideas, seek feedback, and increase your credibility.

One word of caution before we dive into the course: Like any type of relationship-building, Social Media Networking takes time. So, get started right away.

“Everyone should build their network before they need it.” – Dave Delaney, New Business Networking

Benefits of Social Media Networking

Social Media has transformed the way people build relationships in business. Networking on social media platforms can help you both as an individual and as a business in a variety of different ways, including:

• Authentic Relationships. Despite being online, you can forge real, authentic relationships with your connections through social media. Reach out to your connections for help, feedback, support or advice and also give them those things in return. This gives you more connections to call upon when you need them. You can then use those connections for information, referrals, partnerships, and more.

• Expanded Reach. Social Media Networking lets you connect with the billions of people all over the world who are online everyday – people you’d never meet any other way. You can also connect with people you’ve met offline and want to build further relationships with. One of the best parts? You’re online already so it’s easy to make it a regular part of your daily schedule.

• Personal & Business Growth. Use Social Media Networking to share your ideas and boost your reputation, making it easier to connect with new contacts (or even end up with them reaching out to you). You can control what people see and how your brand is presented. Social Media Networking also gives you the opportunity to meet future business partners, suppliers, clients, staff, and friends.

• Fresh Perspectives & Insights. Through Social Media Networking, you gain access to the latest business trends and what’s happening in your field, putting you on the forefront. Learn best practices by following other businesses and learning what works or doesn’t work for them. Engage directly with your customers, so that you can get the inside scoop as to what they are thinking and feeling, while showing them you care about their thoughts and opinions.

Social Media Networking Goals

Start your Social Media Networking plan by identifying your primary networking goals. Social Media is a huge space, and, with so many different social media platforms each with their own style and purpose, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s mind-boggling just thinking about which ones to join and how to jump into the discussions and get noticed.

How can you create an effective Social Media Networking Plan when you don’t even know what your goals are?

Set goals that align your Social Media Networking Plan and your business strategy. Identify and refine your goals so that you can focus your efforts, making the most of your limited time and resources.

Types of Goals

Some common goals are to build relationships with:

• Hiring managers
• Potential business partners
• Affiliates
• Potential clients and customers
• Referral sources
• Influencers in your field
• Colleagues who will support each other

Examples of Goals

Your Social Media Networking goals should align with your long-term business goals. Use this opportunity to advance towards where you’d like to find yourself or your business in the future. Some common examples might include:

• Find and start building relationships with prospective clients
• Look for new joint venture opportunities
• Connect with experts in your field or in adjacent fields
• Expand your reputation as an expert
• Learn more about your ideal customers’ needs
• Hire and build a team
• Learn about different industries
• Develop affiliate relationships so they will want to promote your product
• Although it’s a small part, you may even have a goal to find potential employers/jobs

These are just a few ideas of goals to get you thinking. Remember, it’s important to be strategic about your Social Media Networking Plan to avoid overwhelm and be intentional about the results you want to see.

What Are Your Social Media Networking Goals?

With so many social media platforms to choose from and the landscape changing so quickly, new goals and methods of measuring your success are constantly coming to light. 

Once your goals and your Social Media Networking Plan are working together in harmony, you will be more connected with your audience and top influencers. Your value will increase by connecting with the right people at the right time, in the right space.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Recognize the benefits of using social media to grow and nurture your professional network, so you can attract new customers and have a ready source of contacts to tap for information, referrals, partnerships, support, and more.
• Identify your primary goals for professional networking, regardless of where you’re doing it, so you have a focus in mind before creating a social media networking plan.
• Select the best social networks for your goals, so that you aren’t wasting precious time online.
• Refine your social media profiles to reflect your core message and business goals, so that any new connection can quickly understand who you are, what you do, and the value you offer.
• Explain the most effective methods to build new and existing relationships on social media, including how these integrate with other methods, depending on your current relationships and your professional networking goals.
• Identify specific people you want to connect with online, both new and current contacts, so you start your social media networking with quick wins
• Prepare different messages and content for initial outreach, depending on your goals and the social platform, so you can catch people’s attention and start off relationships on the most relevant track while keeping an open mind to other opportunities.
• Create a system for tracking your network of relationships and how you’re interacting (online and offline) so you can follow up appropriately, decide on next steps, and continue to build relationships.
• Create a plan for continually finding new contacts through social media and developing relationships with them.