I firmly believe that 99% of the world's problems result from poor communication. From bad marriages, to failed politics, to international conflicts, etc. - all could be improved with better communication.
A poor communication negatively impacts your business - and your personal brand too. If you don't take even simple steps to improve your ability to communicate - you and your business will soon become irrelevant.
So, here are some ideas, tips, and strategies to become a better communicator. This is an incomplete list. We will post more down the road. And we hope you add some more in the comments. But here is a good start:
1. Dedicate time each day to reach out to friends, clients, and prospects.
2. Write a personal note to new prospects.
3. Use your favorite RSS reader to follow different blogs each day - and comment on several.
4. Be honest.
5. Be yourself.
6. Serve others.
7. Spread value.
8. Use social media and Google news alerts to keep track of friends and clients.
9. Send handwritten thank you notes to customers.
10. Recommend valuable members of your Twitter community on #followfriday.
11. Wish friends a Happy Birthday on Facebook.
12. Answer people's questions on LinkedIn.
13. Don't misspell. Check your grammar.
14. Make sure your email signature has something of value in it.
15. Return phone calls promptly.
16. Don't SPAM!
17. Don't sell anything at a networking function. Provide value.
18. Start a conversation. It's downhill from there!
19. Listen first.
20. Read a little each day. Being well read makes you a better conversationalist.
21. When you have an audience's attention, don't waste the opportunity. Take the time to prepare meaningful comments. You don't get many chances to have a room full of people listen to you...
22. Don't prejudge anyone. You never know what may happen with someone you say hello to, even if they don't look like someone you would normally interact with...
23. Activate an internal social media system in your business or organization. Something like Yammer, or Ning. You'll be surprised at how things get better by facilitating internal communications!
24. Don't self promote.
25. Be easy to find. Nothing frustrates more when a customer can't find you!
26. Speak and write conversationally. Technical jargon makes it hard to understand you...
27. If you take the time to prepare a meaningful presentation, record it, and share it with your community as a video or podcast.
What did we miss? We will post a second list down the road, but let us know some communication strategies that you want to see included!
Posted in General Marketing Strategy, Social Media