Social Media is a busy place over-crowded, noisy, and frankly at times it’s a little ridiculous. One way to simplify Social Media is to focus on your Champions and Advocates, or those people who you would like in that role.

If you are a marketing department of one, which I imagine many of you are, what kind of a difference do you think it could make for your business if you are developing, nurturing and building relationships with dozens of people rather than trying to keep up with the hundreds or thousands you are connected with?

Let’s identify who those champions and advocates might be.

• Who do you want to spend more time with?
• Who is already a fan? Who is that person who calls you with their great ideas for your business?
• Who are 5 people you admire?
• Who are 5 leaders in your business community?
• Who are 5 people who serve the same market as you do?
• Who are your hot prospects or potential business partners?

That list may have 10 people on it, or it may have 50, but I guarantee you it will be easier to stay in touch with that number than the hundreds (or more) that you might be connected with on all your social platforms.

Now, what do you do with this list? I have a few ideas for that, but first start with kindness.

Simple ways to show kindness:

1. Spell someone’s name right.
   I will be the first to admit I am a bit sensitive to this one, but it serves me well and makes me more apt to spell someone else’s name correctly. Be especially sensitive to this on social media platforms. Their name is right there so there is no excuse.
2. Remember special days!
   – When is their birthday? (And if you have to rely on social media to tell you the day of, that doesn’t count.)
   – Do they have children? What are their names?
   – Are they married?
   – When is their anniversary?
   – What is their spouses name?
   – Do they have pets? What are their names?
   – Do they have food sensitivities?

I know this is a lot to think of, but when you remember these kinds of details about people, it speaks volumes of care to them. And remember, you can’t possibly do this for everyone…but you can do it for some!

When I spend time on Facebook, Pinterest, etc. I am often collecting information about my contacts details I can use later in my nurturing activities.

The rest of this list can be used with everyone you are in contact with. Kindness doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but the impact can truly be priceless.

1. Give people the benefit of the doubt.
   It is amazing to me how often I hear people say, You didn’t return my call. It starts the conversation in such a negative way. Instead ask, Did you get my message?
2. Put your phone away during meetings.
   AWAY! The greatest gift you can give to anyone you are spending time with is the gift of your presence.
3. Return phone calls with phone calls.
   I don’t know about you, but when I call someone, I would like a return phone call. So often, I will call someone and they will text back. If I wanted a text, I would have texted.
4. Call people instead of sending an email.
   It?s rather remarkable how powerful a tool the phone has become recently. So many choose to text, e-mail or Facebook message personal phone calls are becoming more rare.
5. Keep a Champions and Advocates journal.
   This is a place you can keep track of all of these important and simple details for those people you are trying to stay in touch with.

I would love to know about what YOU do to nurture your relationships! Please share!