Swipe Right or Swipe Left?

It’s all about collaboration this week in our Facebook group for business owners ' In Cahoots with Phil', so I thought I would talk about one of the ways many people are now ‘collaborating’ in their personal lives and how we could learn from this collaboration tool and implement those things into our businesses.

Tinder is both amazing and one of the most controversial apps out there.

Have you used it – do you know what it’s all about?

I have friends (and staff members) that spend hours on it, some with success, others not so much (you know who you are!).

Since it launched in 2012 the swiping app has gained an estimated 50 million users, with 10 million of them active daily.

Obviously, the app is doing something right.

I believe it’s because Tinder encourages a “give it a go” mentality.

You can take that ‘give it a go’ mentality and apply it to your sales and marketing to achieve a higher level of success, and this give it a go mentality is so important at the moment, along with the ‘give it a go’ mentality on collaboration.

You don’t believe me?

Give this a try.

Regardless if it’s Tinder, LinkedIn, Facebook or your company’s blog, the first impression that people will have of you is your profile.

This includes having a recent picture of yourself, and just you — not you and your dog, you and a kid or friend, not you on holiday.

You can see from my profile picture, I used Richard Hawke for mine (it looks nothing like how rough I look usually, but I’d like to look like it. If I never need Tinder it’s the photo I’ll be using). You should consider hiring a professional photographer to capture you in the best light.

Complete all of the sections to set yourself apart.

Having a call to action or a question that needs an answer, is one simple tactic that can entice people to your profile.

Don’t be obnoxious or pushy, it’s a swipe in the wrong direction if you are.

Absolutely you need to be confident and follow-up all leads (the left swipers), but you don’t want potential customers to feel harassed.

I have it on good authority that just like on Tinder, being that creepy, stalkerish person isn’t going to help you land the sale.

Instead, use one of these tactics;

· Change focus from sales to helping people.

· Ask if now is a good time. You’ll never make the sale when it isn’t.

· Don’t mention your product for at least 10 minutes

· Increase what your product does for customers, not the price.

· Provide the best customer service of any company out there.

· Back your product up with a strong guarantee.

Be fearless.

Tinder has this feature called “Double Opt-in”.

Basically, this feature prevents users from knowing they were rejected, but with a collaboration, why not ask anyway?

For all you know, you were swiped right. This feature ingeniously removes fear of rejection.

Of course, your sales and marketing approaches don’t have such a feature to reduce fear of rejection.

Instead become fearless.

Get their contact information and keep the conversation going.

You have to follow-up with leads and recent customers if you want to stay fresh on their minds.

If you’re really good, you don’t even need to hound your leads or current customers for their contact information.

If you provide them with something of value, they’ll gladly hand over their contact information so that you can keep the conversation going.

Just go for it.

As we’ve established, with dating sites and apps like Tinder things move quickly. If you don’t strike when the iron is hot you are certain to miss out on a possible date.

That is true for sales and marketing and collaborative opportunities.

If you have someone who is interested in your product or service, don’t wait for them to make the next move. Follow-up to see if they are still interested, or to find out what’s preventing them from completing the sales process. (dinner and a film?)

Even if this client has made a purchase with you, follow-up immediately to see how they’re enjoying your product. (next date bowling or swimming?)

Without being pushy, make sure they’re happy with their purchase and understand everything. (Did you enjoy the meal? – I love the onion rings in Burger King, I glad we split the meal deal)

Make certain they know they can call on you anytime for help. (I’d love to chat to you)

Make yourself available for questions or concerns. (my snapchat is always available)

The next swipe right could be just the sales lead or collaborative relationship you’ve always wanted.

Remember this is a work related article - but if there is a marriage as a result of it, like Cilla I'll buy a hat.