How can you use social media to effectively follow up with new contacts?

For the longest time, I steered away from social media platforms. I initially saw no interest in joining any social media platform. For example, I only joined WhatsApp last year after constant nagging ?? by my friend Gideon Keter. Eventually, I embraced other platforms. My choice of a social media of use is guided by interests and objectives. I seek a platform where I can share and learn from peers and other audience. Through LinkedIn I have been able to share leadership experience and garnered valuable lessons that have shaped how I work with my team and improved the way we do programming. It is a professional platform that offers diverse opinions, approaches and valuable lessons on various professional related aspects.

If you're a chief advancement officer working for a nonprofit never use social media to follow up with a potential donor. It could be invasive and intrusive.

Choosing the right platform for creative marketing is the key. For example, I help Founders who are struggling to raise funds by creating a compelling narrative, providing them with investor documents. So, my ideal client is mainly using the platform LinkedIn. So, I have to use LinkedIn in order to reach out to founders.

When effectively using social media my advice would be to use professional platforms such as LinkedIn to follow up with new contacts. You want to be intentional about being timely and sharing information that's relevant to the organization and the mission such as newsletters relevant articles and stories by inviting them to understand what it is that you do and how and why you want to be connected. Facebook can be more personal and I would lean against not using Facebook and messaging people through there for people use that too connect with personal contacts family and friends

Choosing the right platform, and timing for sending out messages is central to such an engagement on social media. To access policy-oriented serious audience perhaps twitter (now X) and Linkedin is the best. Linkedin is a very valuable platform to engage and also to attract good quality human resource. Our experience shows that for the purpose of advocacy and partnership building and to promote equity and sustainable development perspectives, Linkedin provides the platform.

I've learned that the sooner you follow up with new contacts, the better. You want to keep the momentum going, within 24 hours if possible. You also want to be relevant and specific. Don't just send a generic message that says "thanks for your interest." Instead, refer to something they said or did, like expressing interest in a program or buying an auction item. For example, you could say "I really appreciated your comment about X. Here's a link to a post that expands on that. Would you like to join our next tour where you can see Y?" or "I'm so glad you signed up for our newsletter. Here's a link to our website that explains how we're making a difference in Z."

Creating unique and tailored responses is one of the best ways to use social media effectively. This lets the individual know they are important and that their contribution/question/concern was seen and heard and that you as an organization do care and listen.

I certainly agree with the “sooner the better” concept of following up. I have found that many people who are part of the initial contact are energetic, committed and enthusiastic about the ideas and projects discussed. I have found that commending them for their interest and enthusiasm during the conversation adds to their enthusiasm and motivation. We are all pressed for time in our busy worlds but taking a moment to follow up can have a very positive impact and create a whole new wave of enthusiasm!

Congratulate your contacts on specific achievements, media mentions, etc. — comment on and share their posts or publications when appropriate. Recognize that social media relationships are two-way streets. Celebrate your contacts and amplify their voices. Be authentic and human while you do it!

In the fundraising world the words “social media” don’t actually provide an accurate assessment for what a fundraiser should be using platforms for. To maximise the time and effort being invested in social media (return on investment), it should be reframed as social engagement. Using the platforms to open dialogue and other engagement opportunities provide the quickest and sure fire way of making your charity / campaign feel human and authentic

If we are serious about joining social media groups of family members, close friends or colleagues we need intellectual humility as a prerequisite before we join, otherwise we will end up with buried anger and all kinds of negative thoughts and ideas about those whom we are supposed to communicate, connect and share our feelings with. If anything negative happens then we have to follow through with the three Fs of life success and good health. In short, they are Forgive, Forget and Forward (FFF). Wish you the best always!??

Commenting on social media is easier, because there is a profile photo, name and what we do. All social media users can see our profile. The key to distinguishing us as humans from answering machines is "heart". Make heartfelt comments or statements, and use everyday language, not boring academic language...

Being consistent with social media posting is critical. Building equity in #Hashtags that you become known for, and creating content that people come to expect from you. Timing or cadence is important as well. Over-posting leads to fatigue, but if you don't have some regularity there will be no demand. The balance is key.

Using a CRM is key to tracking your social engagement. I have been a part of organizations that do not track any of their interactions with their constituents, which has caused communication fatigue. Conversely, they are not contacting their interested community members enough. I have found that using a CRM to track all engagements, including social, helps to measure the impact of the different types of communications and more effectively reach the audience you are aiming for.

Build your own Linked In strategy! Professional posts on a regular basis, no political discussions or you invite trolls to interfere, build up your network, be responsive. Accept and make only relevant connections, quality over quantity and be responsive to them. When you get a new connection thanks then for it and make a short intro. Don’t start selling, have mutual benefit in mind

Social media channels such as LinkedIn are a great platform to “keep the relationship warm” with new business contacts. Personal/direct messaging allows you to follow up with contacts via customized notes and personalized check-ins. The newsfeed feature, on the other hand, provides a channel for you to efficiently share generic firm/fund-specific updates widely with your network to keep you and your firm’s profile top of mind — leverage this to consistently maintain mindshare across your target audience/network.

You won’t raise through the message and a check doesn’t get mailed to you. Be modest and respectful I once got a message from Someone telling me that they will be a next unicorn and now need financing. Also the rest of the message was rather aggressive and didn’t give me appetite to continue the conversation

When following up with new contacts on social media, your approach should be both creative and engaging. Personalization plays a key role here. Craft messages that resonate with each contact individually, referring to your previous interactions or shared interests. This not only shows that you value the connection but also makes your messages stand out. Additionally, incorporate clear and compelling calls to action in your personalized messages. Motivate your contacts to take the next step, whether it's donating, volunteering, sharing your content, or signing up. By blending personalization with effective calls to action, you can maximize engagement and inspire action from your new connections.

Converting day to day proverbial thoughts into a message also create interest on the subject. Geographical language is important and useful. Sharing others thoughts is also useful. You always need a person to understand your thoughts and respect them. Development of bond with them is also important. You always need a fulcrum to move things.

Be responsive to your connections. It’s not about showing how many followers you have, when you connect it’s the best time to also make a short intro. Follow it up once if you didn’t get a reply but then you can also disconnect as there is no point in having a large network that is not responsive or engaged

Forming associations on social media, legal associations, are some of the factors that are to be done. Stories and insights are other forms of creating interest. Explaining the subject in day to day proverbial language is another manner. All these will create interest. Video messages can also be used. For example for disarmame?t observation of disarmame?t week and instituting disarmament award or prize is also being used. All these will create interest in the subject.

After connecting with new contacts on social media, engage with their posts, share relevant content, and comment thoughtfully to foster a meaningful connection. Direct messages can be used for personalized follow-ups, expressing genuine interest in their updates, and suggesting potential collaborations or meet-ups. Consistent interaction helps maintain a strong digital relationship and enhances your networking efforts.