Nurturing the Tribe

Tips on the care and feeding of your tribe

--Deborah Crawford

How authentic involvement can help

build lasting relationships

What does Nurture mean?

To feed, to nourishTo educate, to trainTo help grow or develop

Nurturing is a skill.

It can be learned, practiced and perfected

Nurturing vs. Networking How are they different?

•Networking usually focused on contacts and leads•Nurturing more long-term, personal

Why nurture?

What you nurture growsWhat you take care of thrivesWhat you focus on expands

You nurture and build relationships with authentic involvement

Authentic involvement is respecting the relationship.

Relationships are two-way streets.

(It’s not all about you.)

Benefits of authentic involvement

•New experiences•Learning & leadership opportunities•The more people who know, like & trust you, the more likely your business can grow•Can develop business relationships & friendships•It’s Fun!

How do you nurture?Nurturing is active, not passiveIt’s warm & welcoming & caringTake the initiative, engage firstKnow your goals & objectivesGet to know others before you try to sell something to them

The culture of the tribeEach tribe has its own culture

Learn what’s okay & what’s not within that culture

Respect the culture of the tribe

Obstacles to nurturing

We live in the Age of Sleaze & DramaEveryone lives in Time Poverty

WIIFM “What’s in it for me?” mentality

In Real LifeSmiles & Handshakes are essential Look to make friends firstBe niceBuild trustManners = making others feel comfortable

Online Tribes•Normal communication cues missing

• 70% of communication is non-verbal• Can’t see smiles, expressions

•Networks can be crowded, noisy—lots of competition for attention•Push or outward marketing with no connection is perceived as advertising, frowned upon •Join & initiate conversations •Use Built-in engagement tools to connect

• (RT, Like, Comment, @, updates, etc.)

Final TipsKeep it personal—get to know people

Use the tools of the tribeGet involved in activities

Start and join the conversationsMake people feel welcome, appreciated, valuableRealize the value of your relationships – they are

priceless.

Deborah Crawford

Owner, Smart Marketing Workswww.smart-marketing-works.comTwitter: debcrawfordFacebook: http://profile.to/deborahcrawford/LinkedIn: Deborah Crawford