How often are you spending time building relationships in business? REAL and authentic relationships?
If I were to ask you how many followers you had you’d probably know almost the exact number off the top of your head. But guess what? I’ve told my clients many times that number doesn’t matter!
What does matter is that you’re building relationships in business. That you’re working hard to turn those followers into fans!
As I’m working with accountants, the reason they sign up to work with me is because they know, like and trust me.
That didn’t just happen, though. Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve created content and found ways to serve them.
I know them: I know their pain points, their fears, and their problems. I’ve created ways for us to connect; and I share stories with them that help build the rapport with accountants.
The truth is, it doesn’t matter if you have 100 followers or 100,000: you have to be able to turn them into a new client, AKA, a sale. Without that top-line revenue, you don’t have a business, you have a hobby!
By identifying clearly who I serve, and creating those shared experiences, I am able to increase my top line revenue.
Tyler J. McCall, a guest on the Success Unfiltered Podcast, had a similar experience. Tyler, has been through a lot as he journeyed through becoming an entrepreneur: from making the leap from his JOB, to being burnt out and exhausted. Now, he’s found his best YES, and it all became clear when he found the best ways to connect with others in meaningful ways.
Wondering how you can connect and begin building relationships in business? Read on!
Connect Over Shared Experiences
Many times when you make friends, it’s because you connected over shared experiences.
If you were in college, you were in the same class together. Workplace friends are often made around the proverbial water cooler.
That which we go through together brings us together!
So how can you create those shared experiences, especially in a virtual world? Here are a few ideas.
Create a Challenge Group
Instead of gathering together, you can gather virtually! Some people love their weekly accountability gatherings. Whether it be just to meet and mastermind, and talk about the progress they are making in their business, or to just be quiet and work together for a power hour, these groups can create a shared experience. They are coming together to create the connection they desire in their businesses.
Go to Business Conferences
One of the best ways to connect with people is face-to-face. One of the most important parts of a business conference isn’t the speakers and the education: it’s the people you will meet there!
Conferences are THE PERFECT place to begin building relationships in business. Even without the pressure of trying to make them a client.
As you go out for coffee, green juice, or drinks after different sessions, you’ll get to network with people who get you and your business.
You’ll take those connections home with you, and be able to keep up with people who know your business, and are connected with you and invested in your success.
Connect Over Shared Values
This is going to be scary, but it is one of the best things that you can do for your business, especially if you’re using social media…
Sit down, and outline your values.
Who are you? What do you stand for? What is important to you?
I don’t necessarily recommend ultra-divisive stances – politics and business are not best friends!
But what things are important to you? Are you a coffee drinker, or a tea fan? Do you like to run outdoors, or go to the gym? Do you love the Enneagram, or are you obsessed with the Myers-Briggs test?
These things tend to elicit strong reactions, and you can connect with your audience over these things.
I’ve been able to connect with some of my audience with my gym posts: if you know me, you know that I love working out. I’ve been able to take aerial yoga classes, and I’ve posted my gym videos. Both of these things have helped me build business relationships that I otherwise wouldn’t have connected with.
These shared values, while seemingly insignificant, are building relationships in business – some of which could end up being incredibly valuable.
Connect Over Shared Stories
Do you ever listen to this podcast and feel a connection to the entrepreneur being interviewed? You hear them say things that you thought only you’ve ever thought about them. And, you never realized that anyone else could think the same way.
That’s the power of story!
When you’re open and vulnerable with your story, you help pave the way for other entrepreneurs. They connect with you, and then they in turn connect with others, and before you know it, you’re in a giant network of people who connected over a shared story.
The nitty gritty stories that are shared here on The Success Unfiltered Podcast are meant to start those connections: you get to know the REAL story behind these giant NO’s and YES’s that so many entrepreneurs have heard as part of their journey. You get to see how they’ve picked themselves back up, and been able to find success.
Stories inspire.
If You’re Feeling Off Track, Start Here
Have you read this blog post and thought that you’ve messed up?
No problem! I’m here to help. Remember, if you’re trying to just sell to your audience, you’re going to have a hard time.
People will say NO to you: and you won’t understand why!
After all, you have a perfectly crafted call to action. Your photos are eye-catching. You’ve got likes, and saves.
But those are vanity metrics! What really matters is action as a result. When you spend all of your time focused on those metrics, you won’t see results.
But when you focus on building relationships in business, you’ll see a dramatic change. People will connect with you, and who you are. They’ll see your offers making a difference in their lives.
It will take time to shift, but when you are consistent in knowing what you have to offer, what you stand for, and how you’re making those connections with others, you will see the change in your business.
In Conclusion
When you spend time developing that know, like, and trust factor with your audience, no matter the size, you will start to see an increase in your sales. People will connect with your story; your values, and experiences.
How are you creating those connections with others? Tell us in the comments about how you’ve implemented these connections in your business, and how it has changed how you do business!
