It’s the simple stuff that works. Don’t you agree? If you’re a regular reader of Next Level Blogger (I hope you are, and if you’re not…well, I’m just gonna throw an opt in form right here, special…just for you!)

Anyway, if you’re a regular reader here, you know that I’m not a tech-oriented guy. The fact that I’ve built successful, profitable websites should serve as PROOF to anyone who needs it…that you simply DO NOT have to be a SEO guru or a highly talented webmaster in order to make it in this business. That’s not to say this stuff is always a cake walk, but if you think you have to be really techy in order to succeed online…it’s just not true.

Much of What We Think is Too Techy or Out of Our League, Isn’t

In fact, I’ve just recently started doing videos, and one of my big excuses for not doing them was because I didn’t know how to edit them, and I was afraid of the results not being professional enough. As soon as I decided to throw out my excuses, guess what happened? I learned that video is actually really frickin easy, there’s seriously not anything to worry about, it’s actually a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to connect with your audience.

It’s also a great way to bust some content out really quickly. If you’re not using video, I really recommend you dig in for a second and just do it. Get a flip or something and just start it, because it’s a great way to add some really valuable content to your site. Does this mean that my videos are all professional and top notch? Actually, no. My videos (one is up already, several more will post over the next few weeks) are uber-simple, and that’s the point…it’s the SIMPLE stuff that works.

Get More Conversation, More Leads and More Business on Facebook

Speaking of uber-simple, I want to give you a heads up about something I’ve been doing since the beginning with my Facebook profile that has always really worked for me. Honestly, it’s classic Chris Russell stuff…it requires no talent at all, just diligence. When I get friend requests, I (get this) respond to them! This is what I say…verbatim:

Hey thanks for the request! You on FB for business or fun?

Best regards,
Chris

I know, I too am reeling from the genius of it all 🙂 How long does this take me? About 5 seconds. What is the net result? It initiates a conversation. That’s the entire point, correct? I mean, it’s THE reason you’re on Facebook, so why not actually converse with these people?

I’ve altered my response from time to time, but the one I’m sharing here is the one that pulls the best. There’s no pitch, no stupid link to my site (I have to admit I’ve done that, and it’s just dumb), just a hello and an invitation to conversation.

Why it Works

Guess what…you most likely got that friend request for a reason. They’re already interested in you on some level. Granted, it’s probably a very superficial level, but that’s cool. Build on it. We all know that clicking “accept” does nothing. Nothing. Who cares if you have a new contact on Facebook if there’s not any actual contact? Make a reply…and I guarantee you a good percentage of them will respond, and you can nurture that.

At this point I have a little over two thousand contacts on Facebook, so I’ve done this more than once or twice. It works. It’s not the genius of this technique that makes it work…it’s the simplicity of it. Coupled with the fact that not very many others do this…believe it or not it’s almost always simple things like this that can put you over the top.

It’s the little things like this that add up and show your audience that you actually care about them. And when someone really gets that…gets the fact that you actually care about them, that’s when you have an advocate. Is 5 seconds worth it? What do you think?