Share Results opened its operations in 2004. Since the company was founded, we are proud to be authentic, long-term relationships. Our relations have included merchants and affiliates, of course, as well as companies that complement our organization through the types of services they provide to the industry. Then there have been some disruptions in relationships with people that we can now see clearly that there were beneficial to both parties.
Have you ever evaluated your relationships? Have you thought about your network or friends, and wondered why they know each other and what to expect from these relationships? It is important to assess what each relationship gives each side - ie. What we are getting from others is what we want to move on, and if so, in what capacity?
Social Media
A perfect example of social media is, well, the online social networks. Results of Shares, as you know, has a Twitter account and Facebook. Since we are growing as a company and learn valuable lessons from being a provider of software for monitoring and implementation of an affiliate network that enhances our presence in the industry, we learned a valuable lesson (one of many): not need a relationship with everyone. We are guilty of having done this and are finding ways to correct it. Take for example the idea of everybody after you follow on Twitter. There is a more strategic way to manage these relationships. Try to be more selective with the people who choose to follow. Did each friendship has to make money? Do you only care about meeting people online instead of actually meeting in person at industry events? Perhaps this is the goal for you. In any case, it is right or wrong, is simply a question of whether you are getting what you want from this relationship.
Conferences
Share the results has been attending a series of conferences since its founding in the first place. Since then, our team members have made friends with people who have made dynamic movements of the industry. Still others have ventured into many different opportunities, not related to online marketing. Based on this part of our experience, we have another lesson to share: It's always good to be in contact with people, because you never know where it might end. Maybe where they meet their needs in an old relationship, now might explore the establishment of a new one. Conferences can be stressful for participants, but if they leave with more than just business cards have been worth it. A good friend would expect reconnection, or a partnership in the making, may finally be ready for training, although years later.
Is it quality or quantity?
Some people make a mission to have a high volume of friends on sites like Facebook. This is great if you're aiming for a specific purpose, such as immediate brand recognition, for example. However, if you are adding friends left right and center, without a specific objective or strategy in mind, can be a good time to evaluate what kind of relationships that are hoping to build on these platforms. Like niche marketing, streamlining of relationships and build a brand in a specific group can only help improve your identity and cultivate a more targeted audience. Check out the number of relationships that have formed online in the last five years. Do your friends and share a common business philosophy, or complete opposites in values?
The purpose of relationships is to ensure that both parties benefit from each other, either in a highly productive and a level of smooth surface. If you want the ultimate aim of being a financial return, which is perfectly fine. If you simply want to maintain relationships with people for the benefit of networking with others or simply for entertainment, that's fine too. The lesson here is to make sure both are getting what they need for their collaboration.
What is your opinion on the maintenance of relationships in the online marketing industry? Any advice or ideas about this? Write one or two lines below in the comments section.