The Power Of Instagram And Why You Need One
You probably didn’t expect this to be part of my networking trick, but it is. Below, I am going to show you the power of using Instagram for networking over any other form to initiate and keep a relationship with someone.
Why Do I Need An Instagram? Why Not Just Get A Phone Number?
How many times have you been on your cell phone as a number comes through and you’re like, “Who the hell is this?” All you have to go off of is a phone number. Sometimes people even tell you who they are and you think, “Wait, how do I know this person? We met at that one event but…I can’t seem to remember what they look like or who they are?!” Therefore, Instagram is a very powerful networking tool. If you have someone’s Instagram handle, you can see their face, see what they do from their bio, see who they are in their pictures, what they like and even who they are truly friends with because they are hanging out with those people and showing the world.
A phone number isn’t anything but a number that links to someone. An Instagram shows you who they are. This allows you to get to know more about them and see what they are doing to grow your relationship with them instead of having to text them and ask, “Hey what have you been up to?” You can clearly see what they have been up to on an Instagram.
Just as important, they can see who you are, what you do, how you can be helpful to them and what you are up to. Some people don’t post as often as others but a lot of people who are running a business or growing a network are definitely using their Instagram as a tool to do that. Especially in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, etc. I also want you to realize that it’s less intrusive to ask for someone’s Instagram handle than to ask for a phone number too.
In a later lesson, we will talk more about how and why Instagram will help us make more connections with people.
Why Not Just Try To Get Their Facebook?
Facebook is now something that people try to limit to ‘only friends and family’ but with Instagram you are adding to their follower total and that’s a huge part of having and building an Instagram.
On Facebook, adding another friend just makes you look like you added a bunch of people, which no real power at all. There is no way you are actually friends with 5,000 people, ha-ha. Everyone knows that. But on Instagram, having 5,000 real people makes you look like you have influence. We don’t expect all of them to be your friends.
The first thing we look at on an Instagram is someone’s follower count. So, when we approach someone and ask for their Instagram instead of a phone number they are more prone to saying, “Yea sure!” because they want you as a follower. Smart. ????
When They Ask
Sometimes people ask me, “Why do you network using Instagram? Why not a phone number?” They only ask because they don’t understand the genius behind the approach that I just explained to you above. When they ask you, “Why?” explain it to them! Let them know that it helps you build a relationship with them because you can like and comment on their new pictures and slowly but surely become friends.
It intrigues people when you tell them what I just said above. Trust me, I watch people’s faces change from, “Why the hell would you want my Instagram???!” to “Oh wow, that’s pretty smart,” every time I mention how I network to people.
What If They Don’t Have An Instagram?
If you really want to connect with someone and they tell you that they don’t have an Instagram, don’t worry. You can still get that phone number and if they are off put by giving out their phone number, ask for an email address to follow-up with them. If that is still off putting to them, you can go your separate ways or try the last resort and make sure they have your business card in their pocket!
This Method Makes Networking Easier
When you start ‘Instagram jumping’ (we’ll talk about that later), you’ll realize how much easier using Instagram to build a network is. Instead of having to understand and deal with the social dynamics of in-person situations, you get to just like photos, comment and send DMs to build your relationship up.
You can blast 50 messages to 50 people in less than five minutes and if they respond cool, if they don’t, no biggie! There is no building up confidence to approach someone, wait for the right moment or be in fear of what they will say when you approach them. It’s much more difficult to get dressed, look spiffy, have a fantastic and happy attitude and go somewhere to meet people. With this method you don’t have to do that stuff until after you already established the connection over Instagram.
Please understand, I still highly recommend that you build the people skills to be able to go out and do that stuff. But I wanted to put your mind at ease so you know that even if you are very introverted this method will help you grow a network : )
More Helpful Information
The cool thing about ‘My Connected Method’ is that it can be used on any site to catalog people. Then you just have to remember to stay in contact with them weekly. Instagram and LinkedIn are not the only sites you can use this method. You can use it on Twitter, Facebook and hundreds of others.
The thing with Instagram is it gives other users less information about you before you become who you want to be to impress them. On Facebook and LinkedIn, people expect to see more information about who you are and your background. On Instagram, you are just a good person trying to connect and the only thing they have to go off of is your personality and attitude towards relationship building. Basically, you start from scratch with every person instead of them being able to judge you off of other things.