Building Relationships Offline
With all the different social media platforms available today, it’s easy to focus your marketing time here because it’s generally less time-consuming to engage from your computer than it is to attend real-life functions and talk to people in your community. However, if you depend solely on social media for your marketing, you’re missing a vast opportunity to market your business to locals right in your own backyard.
Your marketing goal should always be to build relationships with people you can help with your products or services. Even though you may be tempted, don’t push the hard sell on people you’ve just met. They don’t know you, so they likely won’t spend their hard-earned cash on your product. However, by interacting with them at networking events, in addition to engaging with them on social media, you have built a foundation upon which to build a stronger relationship, which may ultimately lead to them buying from you.
How to Get Started Networking Offline
The idea of walking into a room without knowing a single soul can no doubt be daunting. But the alternative of not sharing your story and your mission to those who may be seeking this exact answer to their problems is equally troubling. No matter how you want to start networking in real life, put on your brave face and tackle your social fears head-on. There are so many amazing business events in your community that have potential clients that would love to be taken care of by you - and tell all their followers about you and your amazing business too. Hello, future collaboration!
1. Join a Relevant Business Community Group
Very often there are dozens of community and business groups, so you really can pick and choose which group is best for you. Yes, you want to build brand exposure, but the best way to build authentic and genuine relationships that turn into customers is by adding value and becoming a known member. From in-person community events to local Facebook groups these are an important part of the growth of your business.
2. Hold Live Workshops
What better way to showcase your authority and expertise than to speak to your local community! Turn your salon treatments into a live event or create a presentation customized to a specific topic. It could be a teen skin workshop or a skin fit bootcamp night where you create a circuit of experiences for your clients to have tasters of! All an opportunity for education.
Even if live events are not your forte, choose a topic you are passionate about and that you could speak about for hours. Your passion will carry through and you’ll be less likely to be nervous or get tongue-tied. Make sure to collect email addresses and to have attendees check-in on Facebook and share some stories and tag you on Instagram so you can connect with them on social media and continue the relationship building after the event is over.
3. Volunteer in the Community
Look for groups or charities that are relevant to your experience. We love supporting Tender Loving Beauties who regularly go into the hummingbird house and treat the families to a bit of time out and pampering. Building relationships should be a positive experience, so offer your guidance and input when asked.
If you love the sound of the above but just have no idea where to start why not ask what other beauty business owners are doing inside our free community – Beauty Business Co Society
