I like things that take time. I don’t like things TO take time, simply things that require time to work, and work well. Like a good wine, or composing a symphony, or mastering a skill, the best things in life don’t simply happen. No, the best things in life require dedication, commitment, patience and time.
I find that most people don’t like things to take time. Most people want things now, or tomorrow, or ‘yesterday’ (the most non-productive statement of all). Most people are not willing to take the time it takes for something to really start producing results that it will eventually produce.
This is why people go to the trouble of buying Facebook fans or Twitter followers – thinking that it will make them ‘look’ better and will in turn make more people gravitate towards them. Not true.
This is also why people demand to know so much about the ROI of social media. They want to know how many dollars they will receive back for the dollars that they put in. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Ask any major marketing or social media expert and they will agree that tracking sales directly related to social media is next to impossible. However, they do agree that it is important, necessary and it works. I agree. I have seen it work in HUGE ways for our clients, but it takes time.
You see, if I were to create a Facebook page for you today, leads would not be jamming your inbox tomorrow. I could almost promise you that you will receive no leads in the first week, or even month. We say that it takes approximately 3-6 months to start gaining traction.
Do you know why?
Because regardless of how awesome, and trustworthy, and respected you are offline, people still don’t know you online. Even people who know you offline don’t trust you online yet. It’s a weird thing, but it’s true.
You must build your online persona, and what is shocking about that is that most people are a completely different person online than they are in real life, and that hurts them. I know, sounds shocking, but I see it every day.
You must build your fan base, get them to like what you have to say and gain the trust of them. Then, you will start getting leads. And do you know what it takes in order to get someone to know, like and trust you online? You guessed it – time.
This is exactly why I LOVE social media. It’s an incredibly new medium, but requires an incredibly old philosophy to get results.
I don’t believe in making a big push all at once and then abandoning it. What was all that work for? No, I am only interesting in those things that are sustainable and are quality and create results long term. Because the payoff on that is going to be ten-fold the work put in to get there. Making a big splash might get you some recognition or a few clients, but if it’s not sustainable and build towards long-term goals, then what’s the point?
If you aren’t getting the results you want, make sure you are being consistent, telling your offline network about your social media and you are educating them once they are there. Give it time and you will reap the benefits.
Want to learn how Katie Wagner Social Media can help you with your social media? Contact us for a complimentary assessment of your social media.
Picture credit: @lapamapple
