Social media and the social web are all about relationships, period. Like many of us, who have actually been on the social web, in the real world – using social marketing before the tools even became available – I’ve seen the reality of real relationships. If you’re hearing otherwise you need to rearrange who you’re listening to. There is absolutely NO truth in the idea that quantity over quality is the best strategy.
Yes, real relationships take longer to build. Yes, real relationships don’t look as glamorous by their sheer numbers. But, in the end, those relationships are the one’s that build your business and online efforts the quickest and to levels no amount of Facebook “fans” or Twitter “followers” could. Here’s a case in point, and something to think about when you’re using the social web to market your business, ministry, or products.
I just received an email from one of my favorite personal branding experts to exist on this planet, Dan Schwabel. He received a heads up from, another one of my favorite social media and PR experts, David Meerman Scott that negativity was swooping through his Amazon reviews for this AMAZING personal branding book Me 2.0. Dan made a call out to his people, his relationships to get the help he needed to fight the malicious actions of others.
Here’s what happened the moment I received that email. I emailed Dan back and said, not only was I disappointed in the actions of our colleagues and the other malicious people involved — I was going to take action immediately, as he requested. And, I did. Why? Because Dan has built a real relationship with me. He’s take the time to send me personal notes, he’s taken the time to reach out and ask my opinion and respect my expertise, as I respect his. He’s treated me like a real human being, not just another subscriber, Facebook “fan,” or Twitter “follower.”
Because of our relationship, I took that attack personally. I felt violated just like Dan, because we were connected in a relationship. I knew that I would make the time to act on his behalf .
Had Dan not built a relationship with me, a one-on-one relationship… honestly, I likely would have done something if (and only if) it came to mind when I had time or found an opportunity on my schedule. After all, Dan would have been one of thousands I was connected to across the web.
But Dan did build a real relationship with me and I did take that action… immediately. With one email, Dan was able to mobilize me, request a piece of my valuable time, and call me to action. That’s Impact. That’s the power of real relationships.
Another case in point… the amazing Danny Brown, another one of my favorite social media and PR experts. I’ve always been a big supporter of anything Danny does, because he reached out, he had real conversations with me and built a real relationship. On the 4th, Danny picked up the phone and called me. Not to call me to action, not to promote something, not to ask for something — but to say hi and say thanks for my support of his projects. That’s it.
Guess what, from that day on, I’ve been racking my brain to figure out more ways to support Danny. Why? Because Danny showed he valued me as a human, a support, and a friend. No pitch, no hidden agenda — just Danny doing what Danny does. Danny mobilized my mind to take action. Impact… relationships.
Just some things to think about the next time you spend an hour or two a day, mass adding people and neglecting the many real relationships you could be building that could be much more beneficial to you and your efforts.
… looking forward to connecting with you!
Maria 
photo credit: Search Engine People Blog
About the Author...
Maria Reyes-McDavis is a colossal geek brainiac, certified genius IQ with university degrees in Finance, Economics, Business Management and an MBA. Maria has served over 300 pro-level, digital marketing clients as founder of online marketing firm Digital Peas & Carrots. Maria is Founder and Editor of Hyphenated Americans, a conservative politics blog and Proverbs 31 Project an online women's ministry. Most importantly, Maria is a wife to her king, mother of 3, lover of basketball (Go Lakers & Clippers!), classic cars and is currently training for professional women's roller derby!
