All Posts, Business Strategy, Facebook, Marketing
What if you could turn every Facebook group interaction into a potential business opportunity? Explore the strategies that small business owners are using to leverage these groups for powerful networking and referral generation. In today’s digital landscape, local Facebook groups have become goldmines for small business owners seeking to expand their network and generate referrals. These online communities offer a unique platform to connect with like-minded individuals, share valuable insights, and establish yourself as a trusted expert in your field. In this article, we’ll explore the strategies that savvy small business owners are using to effectively leverage Facebook groups, transform casual conversations into lucrative opportunities, and build a robust referral network that drives sustained business growth.
Follow the 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule is essential for building trust and credibility within any community. For your time in that group, you’ll want to spend 80% of it providing value and contributing to group discussions. This could involve sharing industry insights, offering free advice, answering questions, and participating in conversations. Use the remaining 20% to strategically promote your products and services. This approach ensures you’re seen as a valuable member rather than someone who’s just there to sell.
Get to Know the Group Dynamics
When you first join a new group, take time to understand the dynamics. Identify the most active members and the type of content that resonates with the group. Pay attention to the posts that get the most engagement and learn from them. I would also suggest keeping track of the times of day that people are most active and if you find some trends, make time in your schedule to be available and online at the same times. This insight will help you tailor your contributions to match the group’s interests and needs.
Engage with Recent Posts
Scroll through recent posts and look for opportunities to add value. Answer questions, provide helpful suggestions, and share relevant experiences. Showing your active participation helps establish a presence and start building relationships with group members. Turn on notifications and tailor them to your workflow so that you or someone in your organization is able to take action on the notifications while the attention is recent. Sometimes the first person to respond is tracked if Group Badges and features are turned on by the Admins.
Look for Direct Opportunities
While engaging with the group, keep an eye out for engagements where you can offer your services right to someone who you can tell is in need. If someone mentions a problem that your business can solve, consider sending them a direct message (DM) with a personalized offer or solution. Ensure your approach is genuine and not overly salesy to avoid coming off as pushy. Remember, most people don’t like to be “sold to” but most people do appreciate a useful and timely recommendation.
Publish Informational Content
Regularly share content that showcases your expertise and provides valuable information to the group. This could be blog posts, industry news, how-to guides, or tips related to your field. While I would suggest looking to engage a few times a day, that may not be feasible for most that are attempting this audience development on their own. If you have staff or a Virtual Assistant, this is an easy task for them to manage for you and your business to foster a regular presence. Add into your workflow that your team can reach you directly if an opportunity best suits your direct involvement or tone. By consistently offering high-quality content, you’ll position yourself as a knowledgeable and trusted resource. Check out our Social Media Starter Plan that’s on sale right now for even more content tips for your social media marketing campaigns.
Building a reputation as a subject matter expert takes time and consistency. Keep a persistent presence in the group by regularly contributing and engaging. Over time, your efforts will pay off as group members start recognizing your expertise and turning to you for advice and services. We’ve seen it where people aren’t even active in a group and they are tagged by others because they want to ensure that certain group members and contributors see a particular post or discussion so that the tagged person can get immediate awareness to engage in a timely manor.
Encourage Referrals
Once you’ve established trust and demonstrated your expertise, don’t hesitate to encourage referrals. Ask satisfied group members to recommend your services to others. This is a major key! The social proof these post recommendations will be among all others in the group are powerful and can significantly boost your credibility and business prospects. The Group Admins will champion these too because it gives further validity to the group and the quality of members, namely you! Receive a few in a short and consistent time and I can almost guarantee you’ll be on the yellow brick road to success and multiple referrals due to your efforts practicing this strategy.
Of course this is just one of our many Theories, so experiment this on your own and let us know in what ways these tips have helped you grow your audience and presence on Facebook Groups. If you’d like our guidance for your organization, please feel free to give us a call (407-490-2425) or send us a message.
All Posts, Networking, Orlando
Networking is more than just exchanging business cards or adding new contacts on LinkedIn; it’s about creating meaningful connections that with honest intentions for mutual growth and professional opportunities. As someone who has navigated the vibrant business landscape of Orlando for years, I’ve learned insights and strategies that have not only helped me overcome the initial jitters of networking but also build lasting relationships in the professional community including many that I still have to this day. Here’s how you can do the same.
Embrace the Power of Connection
Orlando has a dynamic business environment is that is full of opportunities for professionals that are eager to expand their network. The key is to approach networking with a mindset of building connections rather than mere transactions. Add in the intention of seeking 1 or 2 people in the room that you may be able to provide help or insight to, and you’ll really leave a lasting impression. Remember, the most fruitful relationships are built on genuine interest and mutual respect.
Finding Your Circle
One of the most effective strategies I use is to look for groups of people at networking events and approach them with subtlety. Wait for a moment when someone makes eye contact or gives a nod, it’s usually a signal that it’s okay to join the conversation. This non-intrusive approach respects the existing dynamic and gently opens the door for you to be welcomed. Once you’re part of the circle, engage in the conversation with intent. Ask thoughtful questions and listen actively. Repeat back parts of what someone says to demonstrate that you’re not just hearing but truly listening. This not only helps in making the conversation more engaging but also in remembering the key points about each person, which can be invaluable when following up.
The Art of the Soft Sell
A common misstep in networking is leading with a sales pitch. Don’t be that person! This approach can feel transactional and off-putting. Instead, focus on building a rapport without any immediate expectation of getting something in return. The goal is to foster a connection that could naturally lead to business opportunities in the future.
Overcoming Nervousness
It’s natural to feel nervous when stepping into a room full of strangers, especially when the pressure to make meaningful connections is high. When you get nervous, remind yourself that most everyone in the same place right now are also just as nervous. Some things you can do to help with that is to prepare an Elevator Pitch. Having a concise and compelling way to introduce yourself can boost your confidence and make a strong first impression. It’s not something you’re going to come up with overnight, and although the process can be tough, trust it because you’ll instantly see when you deliver it right and it’ll feel amazing!
Set Realistic goals for yourself. Instead of aiming to meet everyone in the room, set a goal to have meaningful conversations with maybe five or six people. Try out different types of events like Toastmasters, Speed Networking, Lunch & Learns, and After Hours Socials. The variety will get you exposed to various types of people in settings that you may find you’re most comfortable at and the connection opportunities to be of the better quality.
Timely Follow-Ups
This is probably the most crucial tip of all that I have to give, which is to make time first thing the next morning and send an intentional direct email. Part of my workflow is to send a warm email and include a memorable part of the event that the person I’m emailing and I shared so that I help to jog their memory and also show that I honestly remember them. Then I add them to my mailing list. Depending on how well the interaction went I will search for them on Linked In and if they’re active enough, I’ll ask to connect with them and use a personal short message with the connection request.
Networking in Orlando’s bustling business environment can be incredibly rewarding if approached with the right strategies. One of my mottos is “You’re only one connection away from your biggest deal”. It’s true though because as I think about some of the colleagues I have; I can name a few that have access to a private jet, own multiple properties, own large organizations, and manage multiple businesses. The key thing is knowing how to leverage those relationships and contacts with a mutual gain. If you’re starting out, focus on genuine connections, listening actively, and following up effectively, you can turn brief encounters into lasting professional relationships. Oh and remember, networking is a skill that improves with practice, so don’t be discouraged by initial setbacks. With each event, you’ll grow more comfortable and get much better at navigating the art of professional networking.
Events, WordPress
Another WordCamp Miami in the books. It was a great weekend, with so much information that it was hard to sleep last night. If you’re a designer or developer like us; and have a good two and a half hour drive back to Orlando, you’ve got plenty of time to reflect on the entire weekend. And that’s a good thing. However if you were part of what seemed to be over 50% in attendance as a first time WordCamper, I am sure you’re overwhelmed with ideas, notes, business cards, and of course swag that you may not know how to start your week.
One of the main reasons I enjoy attending and at times volunteering my time at WordCamps is because of the atmosphere. It really is a chill environment; meaning that you can actually walk up to a speaker or sponsor and ask them questions. The whole point of them being there is to give back and also to be of service to all the attendees. We’ve attended many WordCamps over the past five or six years and below are the best things you should do within your first few days after attending.
Follow Up With People You’ve Met
During the weekend you’re going to sit next to new people you’ve never meet before, and they’re going to be from all over the world. This weekend in-particular I meet a group of developers and designers from Costa Rica. I ended up talking to them for a good 30 minutes about what it’s like living there and also what it’s like working there while using their talents in WordPress.
You’ll also see people you may have met online and through social media. There’s been plenty of times where we’ve talked with people for months on various topics but never met in person. WordCamps are a great opportunity to actually meet and put a live face and voice to all the threads, messages, and tweets you have shared over time.
Oh and don’t forget to follow-up with people who you swapped business cards and contact information with. You may strike up alliances, partnerships, and other working relationships with some creative and talented people who you may not have otherwise met had it not been for this conference.
Take Action on The Notes You Took
Like any good conference, everyone will have out their laptops, notebooks, tablets, recording devices, and anything else to capture their own experience for each of the sessions. Keep in mind that most WC’s feature LiveStream and are recorded and posted to WordPress.tv still it’s great to have your own tidbits of information to work off of.
Most of the speakers will have links to download their slides and presentations. The best time to review those slides is within the first few days after the event so that you can remember the key points that impacted you the most. Then take action! You won’t be able to tackle all of the ideas you written down, so make yourself a plan and set these up to handle over the next few days, weeks, and months.
Share Your Experience With People Who Didn’t Attend
This is mainly for those where this was their first WC, you’re probably going to be really hype for a few days. This is great! Share that excitement with as many people as you can and encourage them to get more familiar with the community. If you took pictures, selfies, video, and other media be sure to share them online as well. That’s what drives this community awareness is people talking about it and sharing.
We initially found out about WordPress through a local MeetUp years ago. And because of that group and the people who attend I learned a lot, networked with some amazing and talented, and even gave some presentations. Check out your home town and see if there are any organized WordPress Groups having regular meetings. If there isn’t, start one!
That’s my top three list, thanks for reading! If you had a great experience that you’d like to share hit me up on Twitter.
All Posts, Events, WordPress
This weekend was the WordCamp that almost wasn’t. Due to a recent storm Hurricane Matthew that brushed all along the east coast of Florida that not only caused moderate damage to coastal property but cancelled many events and conferences that only happen once a year here. So a special shout-out goes to Lisa Melegari and the rest of WordPress Orlando Team for being nimble and dedicated to get this conference rescheduled with a pretty quick turnaround and still keep the same venue, sponsors, and amenities.
Some quick highlights of the weekend for us first that our own resident Social Media Marketing Strategist Nicole Perpillant did a talk on Facebook Integrations. This was a great talk for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to use social media ads in spaces like Facebook and Instagram and ways to hone in on your target market and audience.
This year’s theme was on Lego’s and it was awesome. Probably brought out the kid in all of us. Thankfully there weren’t too many toys out for give-a-ways because I know most of us would have been building and playing instead of networking and learning. Both days were filled with speakers, talks, and panels anywhere from How to install WordPress, to Security best practices, Child Themes, and PHP Functionality. You can see the full schedule along with the speaker talks and information at this link.
While I will be posting the photos we took while on site for the weekend soon, know that it was a pleasure to talk and meet with so many new people. One of the things that is the same with each different WordCamp that we attend is the chance of meeting people who actually aren’t from your local area.
One of the biggest take-aways for me will actually be better explained in a coming blog post about your website being “Software”. There was a Panel Discussion and this was mentioned by one of the speakers Karena Kreger when she referenced WordPress as a software and it really resonated with me because while I know that it is, I don’t treat it like that. Let me explain; to me WordPress is a CMS (Content Management System) and kind of ecosystem. Being that it’s a hub that has extensions of functionality driven by other pieces to make a website work in a way intended by a developer for the end-user experience. Ok before I lose you, let me explain. See in the tech-bubble that most of us designers and developers live in, we understand how to WordPress lives in the sense of what makes it work, the vulnerabilities that it can be susceptible to, and how fragile it can be to core editing. But our clients and customers and users don’t know or understand all of that. In my mind I created a metaphor to best explain this; if you were to explain to a client of whom you are developing or created a WordPress website for, you’d have to tell them it is like having Windows 10 and that in order to keep it working well – there will need to be periodic updates. And along with those updates there will also need to be safety and security measures (and additional software) in place to keep “your software” working well. If ignored you can start to notice decreased performance among many other things.
Some of the best speakers like Josh Pollack, Scott Mann, Jeff Noel, and Elizabeth Pampalone (to name just a few) did great with metaphors. They were able to take what they’ve experienced and word it in a way that we could consume and reflect on. Like any good conference you should never walk away without your head filled with ideas, have some solutions to problems you’ve been dealing with, or a sense of empowerment that you too can be a hero like these presenters.
I look forward to reading other blog posts of other people’s experience with WordCamp Orlando in the coming days and weeks. And I’ll also see about accepting the challenge to attend WordCamp US in Philadelphia PA on December 2nd.
All Posts, Events, WordPress
So in just a few days the University of Miami will be hosting WordCamp Miami. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to since we sponsored and attended WordCamp Orlando in December of 2012. Now the one in Orlando was our first experience and I can surely tell you it was awesome. There were so many cool people who all loved WordPress. From the designers, to developers, to sponsors, and everyday bloggers. As we approach this conference in Miami, there’s a few things one should expect. These aren’t in order per-say and all have an equal amount of enthusiasm behind them.
Learning in-depth Resources and information about WordPress
I would say one of the main reasons for attending a WordCamp is to gain more knowledge about the platform. It really doesn’t matter your level of use, be it novice or seasoned developer, there are still things to learn. This WordCamp will actually feature three different tracks to follow. Users and Bloggers, Designers Track, and Developers Track. After looking at the schedule I already know we’ll be splitting up so that we can absorb as much as we can then collaborate later to unload. The sessions range from “Top 20 Plugins We Can’t Live Without” to “Amplifying your WordPress CSS with Compass & SASS”. There will also be news about what’s coming down the line with future updates and additions to WordPress that are sure to wet your appetite. This really will be a day to have fully charged devices to take in as many notes and tips as you can before reaching 2% life.
Meeting other developers and designers
For me I look forward to this very much. Designers and developers typically don’t congregate too much, and this event is a great mixer. In Orlando there really was an absence of competition, yet a great sense of comradery. If anything you could easily strike up a conversation about some failed plugin or theme house that we’ve all used and cursed. So we’re looking forward to meeting some other developers from the Miami area and hope to make some new Twitter connections too. We never take the attitude that we know it all, or that we can handle all on our own. One of the greatest things about this open source community is that all of us have the potential to create something awesome and be a contribution to the platform.
Networking with potential clients
A large part of our clientele are actually WordPress users. They sometimes have questions about how things work, but for the most part are great at just creating content while relying on us designers and developers to get their sites to work and operate the way they envision. If you’re looking for more clients, this is a great place to mingle. Your elevator pitch literally can be just “Hi, my name is _________ and I’m a designer or developer….” Chances are you’ll get cut off right there and the conversation will turn to what exactly you’re able to do for said client and begin exchanging cards and email addresses.
Livestream
Not going to be able to make it? Were you late to register and now can’t because the event is sold out? Well you’re in luck, they’ll be streaming onsite for the weekend. That includes the BuddyPress session on Friday the 5th too! So you may not even be in the state of Florida yet still gain knowledge from this event. Oh by the way, this is the first WordCamp Miami to be streaming live! It is totally free and no ticket or purchase is required to view the live stream.
The Atmosphere
After a day of cramming your noggin with knowledge you’ll need to unwind. And no better way then with everyone you just met during your sessions over beer and food after the conference. Share some notes, meet more people, and engage. There is sure to be deals to be made between sessions, notes to be passed during sessions, and pictures from smart phones in full effect all day. Everyone social media feeds should be full of content, shares, likes, and RT’s.
So what are you looking forward to? For those of you that have attended a previous WordCamp elsewhere be sure to comment below and let us know some of your favorite or most memorable experiences.
