Five-Minute Friends

Five-Minute Friends:  You have had less then five minutes of interaction with an individual and they are now asking to be your “friend” on all your social networks.

Are you overwhelmed with five-minute friends? Are you being “friended” on Facebook after just bumping elbows with someone in Starbucks? Are people asking to come into your networks that haven’t earned the right to be there? As business and personal lives merge, so do the uses for individual connections. This is a big grey area where the clear netiquette guidelines are still being established. 

I love my social networks and know that there is so much value in each community I invest my time in. I know this because I’ve gotten clients through Twitter, TV appearances through Facebook, new business through LinkedIn, and that is just the business side! I’ve strengthened relationships, cultivated new ones and researched countless people and businesses through my social networks. I’ve also reconnected with old friends, gotten to see photos of friends and their growing families, and organized reunion events. 

What I’m really tired of isn’t the networks themselves. It is the way people choose to use the networks. I’m offended when I get an obvious mass message that I should be a fan of a particular business. If you want me to take the time to investigate your business, I hope you will at least take the time to see if I am already a fan. If you want to earn my trust and not be classified as a spammer, spend time getting to know me and be diplomatic in how you use your connections. 

If you really want my friendship, you’ll have to earn it the old-fashioned way.  It will take time and patience and actual effort. But once you’ve got me, I’m invested for the long term. I will be a valuable friend because I will truly care about you as I’ve gotten to know you.

Help me complete my Top 10 Tips for Cultivating Friendships for the Long Term

1. DON”T waste my time with your meaningless chatter. Add value to my life, not noise.

2. DO have an opinion sometimes and share it with me. Don’t just push links and content; add commentary.

3. DO take time to learn what your community cares about and help them reach their goals.

4. DON”T push your business on me. I may have given you the privilege of my friendship easily, but I can take it away just as easily. 

5.    DON’T recommend I become a fan of every Page or Group on Facebook that you
      are a fan of, especially when you send out a mass message to everyone in your    
      friend list. It is clear you didn’t take the time to see if I’m already a fan.

6. DO pick up the phone or reach out to meet me in person. The online world is  
      great, but the real business will still get done in person. 

7. DON’T be afraid to let me learn about who you are. Chances are, we’ll find more in common and my loyalty to you will be stronger.

8. DO remember that your online personality reveals a lot about you and affects my decisions to do business with you. Put the best YOU online every time.

9. DO listen more than you talk.

10. Tell me what is your most valuable rule for Building your networks. __________________________________________________________
      @theartofimpact