How do you use social media to negotiate?

1 Know your goals

Before you start any negotiation, you need to have a clear idea of what you want and what you are willing to give. This will help you craft your messages, evaluate your options, and avoid unnecessary concessions. Use social media to research your counterpart, their interests, needs, and preferences. You can also use it to communicate your value proposition, showcase your achievements, and build rapport.

2 Choose the right platform

Not all social media platforms are equally suitable for negotiation. Depending on your situation, you may want to use different channels to reach out, follow up, or confirm agreements. For example, LinkedIn is a professional network that can help you connect with potential employers, clients, or partners. Twitter is a public platform that can help you raise your profile, share your opinions, and join relevant conversations. Facebook and Instagram are more personal platforms that can help you show your personality, lifestyle, and hobbies.

3 Be respectful and authentic

Negotiation is not a game of manipulation or deception. It is a process of finding mutually beneficial solutions. Therefore, you should always be respectful and authentic when using social media to negotiate. Avoid spamming, trolling, or lying. Be polite, courteous, and positive. Be honest, transparent, and consistent. Show interest, empathy, and appreciation. Remember that your online reputation can affect your offline relationships.

4 Use the right tone and language

The way you communicate on social media can influence how your counterpart perceives you and responds to you. Therefore, you should use the right tone and language for your negotiation context. For example, if you are negotiating a formal contract, you may want to use a more formal and professional tone and language. If you are negotiating a casual collaboration, you may want to use a more informal and friendly tone and language. However, regardless of the tone and language, you should always be clear, concise, and respectful.

5 Balance public and private communication

Social media platforms offer different options for public and private communication. You can use them strategically to advance your negotiation goals. For example, you can use public communication to signal your interest, credibility, and availability. You can also use it to praise, thank, or endorse your counterpart. However, you should avoid using public communication to disclose sensitive information, make demands, or criticize your counterpart. Instead, you should use private communication to discuss details, negotiate terms, or resolve conflicts.

6 Follow up and follow through

The negotiation does not end when you reach an agreement. You need to follow up and follow through to ensure that both parties are satisfied and committed. Use social media to confirm the agreement, clarify the expectations, and coordinate the actions. You can also use it to provide feedback, ask for feedback, and celebrate the outcome. However, do not rely solely on social media for follow up and follow through. You should also use other methods, such as phone calls, emails, or face-to-face meetings, to maintain the relationship and trust.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?