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A recent request to connect for an online meeting came my way with someone I met on social media. The startup in question was of keen interest. So I agreed to spend some time to learn more.
Only about three minutes into the presentation and I knew this possibility was not for me. I politely explained my thought and why I would need to turn down working together. And the following topics to share quickly came to mind.
Partnering
The excitement of a proposed job title, partnership, or collaborative effort, do not matter nearly as much as maintaining the integrity of your personal and business brands. The example above had to do with sharing contact information of others without permission.
Perhaps this is done more often today than 10 years ago, but I still believe it’s best to be safe rather than sorry. Even more important for me, is to show the respect that I would expect of others. This would eliminate sharing or selling information for monetary gain without thought of the mess it might create for the people on the receiving end of thousands of unsolicited email.
Reviews and Testimonials
When people whom you barely know ask for testimonials or endorsements, suggest you speak in order to get to know one another better. Simply accommodating someone’s request is less than honest. Again, you want to know the principles and priorities of another before you recommend that person.
Referrals
Upon being asked for a referral, make certain you understand the person’s business well. And then qualify and match the best candidates to make a good referral. The parties involved will be appreciative of your help.
Online Likes
Read before you “like” a post. I sometimes wonder what people are thinking when they read a sad notice of a family member having passed away, but the person “likes” the comment. A personal note to the person who posted would be far more appropriate.
Post Balance – Content versus Bragging Rights
You will also notice some people who never post either helpful or interesting content. Instead, they continually brag about their number of followers or honors coming their way. It will be perfectly fine to post the recognition you receive when your posts are balanced with those designed to help your audience.
Translate to Sales
All of the above, once again, speaks to qualifying and matching those with whom you choose to work. Implied are the better business building strategies to protect your brand and build a reputable presence.
Adhering to these guidelines will lead you to Smooth Sale!