I’m seeing a frenzy within Twitter and Facebook to “amass” friends. Yes, it’s nice to have great groups of followers. However, can we really touch these “friends” personally? With how many do we end up forming a true connection?

Connecting with one person, when it’s the right person, can be the beginning of a relationship that blossoms and grows. These relationships are invaluable and require the right intention to grow. I prefer the “farmer”, versus the “hunter” approach in networking.

A farmer has a patient, highly visible approach to networking desiring collaboration and development versus the hunter approach of hit-and-run prospecting that’s more focused on closing and acquisition.
Farmers value…

1. Long-term Relationships
2. Nurturing
3. Growing
4. Collaboration
5. Building
6. Loyalty
7. Creating champions
8. Customer advocacy
9. Development

In today’s business climate, people–especially women–want to buy, but don’t want to be sold to. The farmer approach is an excellent long-term strategy if you want to build a loyal customer base. I appreciate that it allows me to watch the seeds of connection grow and blossom.

I’ve just returned from a trip visiting my sister in California. Not surprisingly Nicole is very entrepreneurial–it must run in the family . She actually has two businesses: one is landscape design and the other is internet affiliate marketing.

While I was there, she shared with me a business dilemma she’s faced with, so we spent our long trip in the car brainstorming solutions. Those of you who’ve coached with me know that brainstorming for creative solutions is my favorite thing to do.

As I gave her some big-sisterly advice, I realized the need to listen to the words that I was sharing. You see Nicole is concerned that at some point she’ll no longer be able to keep up with the physically challenging aspects of landscape design. So I suggested that she combine her two areas of expertise-gardening and internet marketing. Nicole could share her knowledge of gardening with a niche of customers and create information products (videos, reports, tip sheets) to sell on the internet.

Then it hit me! That’s exactly the direction I’m heading in. At 43 years old, I’ve had many jobs, corporate and entrepreneurial and I’ve learned much along the way. I also want to use information marketing to share my wealth of experience with my niche–entrepreneurial moms.

The advice I just shared with my sister was advice I needed to follow. I need to stay true to myself and my niche and move forward with my goal to create a Home-Study System for Entrepreneurial Moms.

So my recommendation to you is to observe the advice you’re giving. Whether you’re talking to your sister, daughter, best friend or business partner…. What are you recommending? Do you need to follow that same advice? Let me know you’re stories, I’d love to hear them.

By the way, we came up with a great brand concept for her new business. Stay tuned and I’ll let you keep you up-to-date on her progress.