After working with sales people, social media marketers, community managers, entrepreneurs, charities and many other professionals on five continents I have had the opportunity to see the Rules of Engagement implemented (and ignored) in almost every environment. Stephen Jagger and I sat down and penned these rules in 2008 when we were writing Sociable! – the tools have since evolved but the rules are even more relevant today then they were back then. We started with 7 rules and recently I added two more which I will share with you today.

1. 9 Immutable Rules of Engagement
in #SocialSelling
Adapted from Shane Gibson and Stephen Jagger’s
Sociable! Rules of Engagement
If you want to rise above the crowd in social selling
and social communications here are the 9 Rules of
Engagement you will want to follow:
#1 Stop pitching and start connecting
“If you can’t take the time to truly customize your
message to the person you’re addressing you’re
most likely going to repel them permanently and
destroy your credibility. Instead ask how you can
help and show genuine interest in the other
person’s business and life goals.”
#2 Doers win in the game of social media
“You can’t just lurk or put your big toe in the water
and “test it out.” In order to win and gain mind
share with your market you need to get in the game
and create great content, tell amazing stories and
have positive engaging conversations constantly.”
#3 It’s not about you
“Stop talking about your products or tweeting up
your latest success, start sharing your customers
content and ideas and stories that will help your
target market succeed.”
#4 Be fearless in your contribution to
community
“Very simply, give more than your competitors
think is necessary and connect deeper and more
often than your competitors are comfortably with.”
#5 Don’t be a social spammer, engage
“When someone follows you ideally your content
should be 90% value added updates, customer
focused content and value added interactions.”
#6 Be authentic
“It’s a lot of work and effort to try to be someone
else …only make promises and claims you can back-
up, and if you make a mistake own up to it fast.”
#7 Be consistent
“Be dependable and be present consistently, this
one habit will make gaining momentum and growth
in social selling a lot easier.”
#8 Amplify through community
Invest in building relationships with the
communities and influencers that can help amplify
your personal brand and give you access to
networks beyond your personal circle of influence.
#9 Get Sociable!
Social media is not a video game or a popularity
contest, especially for sales people who are
responsible for generating revenues. Getting
Sociable! is about using the internet to get off of the
internet and connect in person.
This social selling infographic was brought to you by Shane
Gibson, speaker and author. For more insights visit
ClosingBigger.net. To connect with Shane Gibson follow him on
Twitter @ShaneGibson.