Relationships are built upon conversations

Yesterday, I was on my way to my friend’s place so I could help him with his company website - he wanted to incorporate a blog on his website to get started with a online marketing.

As I boarded the bus, I was very warmly greeted by the bus driver. He said (in Mandarin) “Hello, good evening. Have you had your dinner?”

The bus was like 95% empty, since it was already about 9pm, and yet the bus captain was very enthusiastic in greeting every customer that boarded the bus. While most customers just returned with a smile and moved to the rear of the bus for a seat, I decided to sit nearer the front - and chat with the bus driver along the way.

Through a short 20 minute journey, I got to know from him how the bus drivers work - that they work in shifts and things like how many shifts there were, and I got to know that they actually had very strict standards to meet, in terms of arriving on time at each bus stop, and the bus interchanges. I got to know that they actually had technology to help drivers between buses to communicate, so that the bus frequency is regular, instead of having two of the same buses arrive together. It was… wow!

Of course, I also shared my side of the story, about working from home, about occasionally going to Malaysia for trekking, and things like that.

With that short exchange, we have both brightened each others lives - we got to learn some things we wouldn’t have learnt if we has both chosen to keep quiet and make it a “normal bus ride”. It was interesting!

Now the thing is - I felt really welcomed on the bus, that it was as if it was a friend giving me a lift, not a trip that I was paying a fee for.

This is the first time I’ve met this driver (at least, as far as I can remember). While we didn’t really share our contact details for us to keep in touch, I’m sure that the next time I meet him, I’ll not just say “Hi” and move to the rear, but “Hello, working this late again?”, or “Hi, have you had your dinner?”, or “Hi, remember me?”… or something in that line.

A relationship has begun.

That is how building relationships through your blog works too. There is always a “first time” whenever you meet someone, and naturally, initially you don’t know that person that well. But as there are more opportunities for interaction, as your reader comes back for more great content, and as you exchange more comments with each other, you start to realise that “Hey, I know this guy.”

As Liz has put it right on the header of her blog, “You are only a stranger once.” After the first contact - and if both are open to conversation, a relationship is forged. Soon you will start finding yourself referring to other bloggers like they are your next door neighbours or old school classmates!

Now consider that power in business. Wouldn’t it be great to make friends through your blogs (who are potential customers, and who will refer other customers?) That is the power of business and corporate blogging, that is the power of building relationships.

Relationships are built upon conversations. For the first time, it may take initiative and an open heart and mind on both parties to agree to just chat. From there, you have made a friend, possibly a business partner, or someone who might just have what you are looking for.

Tags: building-relationships, business-blogging, Corporate Blogging, creating-conversations