Invest in Relationships = Invest in Your Business

It’s well documented that we live in an instant gratification society.  That has become all too prevalent for me lately in watching how people have started to abuse a platform I otherwise really like and respect (LinkedIn).  And, of course, all of us who use Instagram are witness to it regularly there too.

I’ve been amazed at users of LinkedIn who think nothing of asking for the sale in the note they send with their connection request, or immediately after you accept such.  They want the quick hit.  It’s almost like a drive-thru mentality.

And then the Instagram users who Like your page, wait to see if you follow back, and then Unfollow if/when you don’t.  Similarly, those who do the hit-and-run (or have an automation that does so for them), meaning, posting an unrelated comment, just to get users to click over to their profile instead.

None of the above are going to produce the desired results.  In fact, it will turn into, “Now that’s someone I don’t want to do business with.”

I recently had someone ask me about a service that I was unfamiliar with.  As much as I was certainly able to look it up myself to try to draw some conclusions, I felt better served seeking counsel from someone more likely to know about it already.  When I contacted someone that I’ve gotten to know a bit over the last couple years, I simply needed just a little time and feedback.  But, I felt comfortable doing so because it’s not someone I’ve tried to sell (sell, sell) to in the past.

And that’s the difference.

Imagine being an indie performer and every single time you walk into a particular location you ask the manager or the owner if you can get booked to play there.  You don’t make small talk.  You don’t ask about their business.  You don’t remark about something different you might observe in the place.  You’re viewed as, “Ugh, not this one again.”

Wouldn’t you rather be thought of as, “Wow, he/she is just always so kind.  I’ve just got to find a way to get him/her in here to perform at some point”?

I’m not naïve to ignore the fact that we all have bills to pay and thus need to generate income.  But what I’m saying is that the time you invest in your relationships will lead to the income that a lot of people would rather try to get through a smash-and-grab.

Oh, and if you’re paying a service to execute the Instagram behavior referenced above?  The money that you must have coming in from somewhere else isn’t being invested wisely back into your brand.  Perhaps keep it in your pocket and put some sweat equity into building relationships that will be lasting and fruitful.

Yes, I write in this blog a lot about relationships (of the business kind, that is).  Don’t mistake that as hurting for topic ideas.  Rather, realize how important it must be if you keep hearing about it.  And then go out and form relationships with people who won’t want to run the other way when they see you coming.

What stories of business relationship building do you have?  Share them with others in our Facebook group.