Database Potential – Successful Connecting
This is part 3 of a 3 part series on collecting, consolidating and connecting to people via a database.
Introduction
I’m surprised by the number of business people I’m meeting who fall into one of these categories when it comes to databases:
1. Don’t have one. They want one. Know they need one. But don’t know where to start and what they should do with it once they have it.
2. Have one. A large one. Collected or inherited. Don’t know how to best use it or leverage it without being pesky or wasting days dealing with frustrating and retarded Outlook newsletter templates etc.
In any case, you need an effective and easy way to collect, consolidate and then connect with the database. I’m a firm believer in allowing technology to do all the hard work for you. Gone are the days of expensive direct mail and wasted paper. Welcome to the world of emails, RSS feeds, blogging and new media. Where one person can effortlessly reach thousands with very little effort.
Part 3 – Connecting
By now you have collected your database and consolidated the details into a suitable platform. Now it’s time to open your mouth and connect with your audience.
It’s a known fact that most people are afraid of public speaking. The fantastic things about writing is, that you can always delete, edit and take back things you’ve written before the words spew from your mouth and you die of embarrassment and ridicule.
So as we go through these key points of successfully connecting with your audience, remember that you can take your time and there’s very little to be afraid of. So give it a go!
1. Don’t be boring! No one liked the boring teacher at school, the boring boss at the staff meetings or the boring shows on TV. You need to inform, entertain and engage your audience. I’ll say it again, DON’T BE BORING
2. Add value! Don’t talk about yourself, your new product or what specials you have to flog. That’s boring and selfish. Give the audience information that they feel empowered by. e.g. If you’re a mortgage broker, be the first to let your audience know what the RBA cash rates have changed too (again) and how it effects them. Give info and helpful hints away for free and people will love you for it. (Notice, although I can help people in this area by building them an awesome website, I’m not flogging my wares in this series of newsletters? Instead, I’m helping and giving away info for free)
3. Use New Media. Make sure you use images, videos and audio to get the attention of your audience. Remember, we’re not all great readers and may want a little entertainment.
4. Be Consistent. Out of sight, out of mind. Very simple principle and we’d all agree that it’s important to keep up appearances – yet so many fail to keep regular contact with their audience, customers, clients etc. Don’t be a slacker – be consistent!! Let people who want too, hear from you at LEAST once per fortnight.
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