Updated July 2020
Ever wonder how to connect, engage, and create meaningful social media conversations? Or how to break the ice on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram?
Sure you have! It’s only natural.
We all want to connect — to establish relationships that matter. But times have changed.
Social networking has revolutionized the way your business is making connections.
With traditional networking, you had to dress up and go to a local event if you wanted to meet someone. With the advent of the Internet, that necessity faded away.
Today, building relationships is as simple as logging into your favorite social network. In fact, it’s one of the driving forces behind Facebook.
At Facebook, we build tools to help people connect with the people they want and share what they want, and by doing this we are extending people’s capacity to build and maintain relationships. – Mark Zuckerberg
So, what’s the secret to creating genuine business connections, no matter the social network?
Preparation. That, and a combination of networking skills, common sense, and a little practice.
But where do you begin? And how do you reach out to someone new, start a conversation and extend it beyond meaningless chitchat?
It’s simple. Ask questions!
That’s right. Prove that you’re more than just the posts and tweets you’re pushing out.
With questions, you can dig deeper, gaining insight into the people sharing space within your social media world.
To help you get started, I’ve launched my new eBook that includes a back-to-basics approach to relationship marketing. In it are 100 social media questions and a step-by-step to help you get the conversation started.
And the best part? It’s FREE!
The questions included will:
- Offer real insight into the people you connect with online.
- Create beneficial relationships for both parties.
- Give you a deeper understanding of how you can best support your community.
- Encourage referrals through targeted information.
- Open the door of opportunity and business growth.
Want a sneak peek? Below are 25 of my favorite questions that you’re probably not asking, but should.
And — to help you get to know me better, I’ve included my answers below. Take a look!
25 No-Fail Social Media Questions
- What is the best compliment you have ever received?
- What movie could you watch over and over again?
- Are you a cat or dog lover?
- Where did you grow up?
- What is the best thing to do in your hometown?
- What is your favorite pastime?
- Who do you admire the most, and why?
- If you could run away for a day and do anything you want, what would you do?
- What was the last thing you geeked-out about?
- If you could retire tomorrow, what would you do?
- What does your perfect pizza look like?
- What is your favorite ride at an amusement park?
- What is your favorite knock-knock joke?
- If you could star in any TV show throughout history, what would it be and who would you be?
- If you were a superhero, who would you be?
- What is your superpower in business?
- If you were in a band, what instrument would you play?
- If you could adopt a baby or an animal, which would you choose?
- It’s your perfect night – are you snuggled up with a good book on the couch or spending a night on the town with friends?
- Tea or coffee?
- What is your favorite flavor of Jelly Belly?
- If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
- What is your favorite time of the year?
- Would you rather hike a mountain or lay on the beach?
25 Social Media Answers
- You’re exactly the same offline as you are online. (love this!)
- I have several movies, but “Love Actually” is one that I can watch no matter when it’s on or what I’m doing at the time.
- If you’re connected to me online, you know my love of dogs. I have two Chihuahuas and am a huge pet rescue advocate.
- In beautiful, sunny Southern California. It’s my home in every way.
- I love where I live and choosing just one favorite is almost impossible. But, I’m always drawn to the water. Spending time at the beach makes my heart happy, especially when there’s a sunset involved.
- Hanging out with my favorite people — that would be my hubby and two pups. At the moment, our favorite place to hangout is an amazing gourmet pizza joint around the corner. It has the most beautiful outdoor patio and a big wood stove for the perfect pizza. A glass of wine and my three boys equals the best night for me.
- My mom and dad. They are both the heroes of my life. I’d be nothing without all that they instilled in me from the moment I was born.
- Drive north along the coast and soak in the view.
- Meeting Pat Flynn. I’m a huge fan of Smart Passive Income and totally geeked out when I met him this last week at the speaker party for Social Media Marketing World in San Diego.
- Build another business. I love a challenge.
- Interesting that my top 25 involve pizza. 😉 My favorite pie is fig, prosciutto, and arugula. So delicious!
- Any rollercoaster.
- Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Doris.
Doris who?
Doris locked, that’s why I’m knocking! (insert groan) - I Love Lucy. Lucille Ball is everything I aspire to be — funny, witty, smart, self-deprecating, inspiring and brave. But most of all, humble. She’s quoted as saying, “I’m not funny. What I am is brave.” (humble)
- Wonder Woman. I mean seriously, who doesn’t want a magic lasso and invisible plane?
- Connecting the dots strategically.
- The guitar. I’ve always wanted to learn how to play. Eddie Van Halen inspires me!
- Animal. Specifically, every Chihuahua that needs a forever home.
- A good book.
- Coffee in the morning. Tea in the afternoon.
- Hands down — popcorn. But yes, I did have to pull out the bag to taste test.
- Peanut butter. or Pizza. or Macaroni and Cheese. or Bacon. I’m a free spirit that can’t be tied to just one food and you can’t make me. 🙂
- Italy. I’m married to a 100% Italian and would love to see all that makes the country (and him) amazing.
- Spring. Everything is new, fresh, and ready to bloom!
- No question about it. I’m all about the beach.
Your Turn
What question do you like best? Pick one and answer it in the comments below!
And don’t forget to download your FREE copy of “100 Questions to Create Meaningful Social Media Conversations.“
lifedanang.net startup and we need you.
Killer tips Rebekah. Since I am currently running my business from the road, #23 is my go-to question. Thanks for these!
Great questions to ask, I will try one out to see if I can get a conversation going.
Hi Rebekah, I love the superhero questions both what super hero would you be or what super power would you have. For a while I sued to say I was Supermum (working online with twins) but now I like Mrs Incredible. 😉 Powers would be always taking Massive Action!
Love the #20 as it covers both without excuses, and so in promotion activities nothing should left out.
LOL Mike – this way no one is left out.
Great list of questions and answers, Rebekah. #24 Favorite time of the year – Spring.
Provides inspiration for new beginnings..
I feel the exact same way Preethi. Plus, Spring in LA is the absolute best.
Hi Rebekah maam,
I love how you make learning easy peasy. If I had to choose the questions, I would love to ask #3 Are you a cat or a dog lover? I know your answer though. Having following you since long, I know about your to Chihuahua dogs (I recently saw them when you went to meet your son).
Asking questions is the best way to break the ice. I have a fixed question I ask someone I meet. I ask her/him about the weather like “Isn’t it a bit extra hot today?” and this gets the ball rolling.
I am downloading the extra questions, I know they are a treasure. Thanks for answering to those 25, I now feel I know you better.
Have a great week 🙂
I would totally geek out too, in a straight way. LOL!
Great questions (and answers) 🙂
“Who do you admire most, and why?”
I admire people who choose to power through bad situations. They take whatever hand is dealt them and make the best of it. Two examples are my Mother and my Grandmother. My Mother had MS. She knew she could no longer care for 2 of her 4 children and had to give us up into adoption. It wasn’t until I got older when I realized how big of a sacrifice that actually was. I can’t imagine giving my Mini up for anything! She always kept her sense of humor, even as MS ravaged her body and mind. It was the one thing most people remembered about her at her funeral.
My Grandma is the absolute bestest! Anyone who can make it to 92 (93 in July) and still have her spunk is worth admiration! Her body is slowly breaking down on her (her mind is being taken over by Alzheimer’s), but she manages to laugh and find joy in life. I find joy in hearing her stories.
Great list, Rebekah. Lots of unique ones, too… Giving me lots of fun ideas. I can’t wait to ask some of these.
Oh, and while I love a variety of foods, too, my superpower is being able to eat Mexican every single day. If you’re going to force me to choose just one thing, it’s gotta be avocados, hands down.
Oh Rob – you’re a man after my own heart. I could eat mexican food morning, noon and night. Guac, chips and salsa. Definitely a weakness.
These are all awesome– thanks for sharing! ‘m going to have to download the ebook later when I get home, but in the meantime, here’s my answer to number 17– Bass. It’s always been my favorite.
Very cool Rafael. I love the Bass. Such a beautiful instrument!
Love this list of questions, Rebekah. Do you use them on all your social networks or do you find questions work better on some than others?
If you could run away for a day and do anything you want, what would you do?
Go for a long hike in the Santa Monica mountains or maybe further east, find a good trail in the San Gabriel mountains!
Hi Denise! I use the ones that mean the most to me. I’ve played around with a lot of them, but find the animal, getaway and food ones work the best. There’s usually a lot of fun answers that come with them.
And I love your answer. Your hiking pics are always beautiful!
Hi Rebekah,
Awesome post! Love the way you share both the questions and answers. Love the cat or dog question and the answer? It’s 100% marvelous (totally didn’t think of that).
You know what? You can even use that to schedule on Post Planner (or any other tools)!
Thanks dear friend for sharing this!
Ahhh…great idea on Post Planner and scheduling Reginald. Love that!
What great questions and a way to get to know your followers – and you! I would love to ask them all, too. I’ll choose # 3, Are you a cat or dog lover? I love both, but if I had to choose, I’m a dog lover. Unfortunately, two of my children are allergic to both, so we can’t have either.
I’m off to download your free copy of 100 questions… Thank you for the inspiring post!
I love both too Robin, but my heart is definitely with rescuing pups. If I could save them all, I would!
Ooooh, I LOVE these! Are you a mind reader, lady??
I was just trying to jar loose a good question to have arrivals to my new private FB group snack on to get some fun conversation going. Bam, there’s your post!
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? French fries…those damn things are my guiltiest pleasure. NOM, NOM, NOM… 😉
Great thought on the FB question Andrea. It’s a nice way to welcome people and get the conversation going.
Mmmm…french fries. Salty goodness. I do love them — especially when traveling for some reason. I think it’s the whole comfort food thing. I just can’t say no.
Rebekah,
#11 – Depending on the day, the toppings of the pizza changes, but it’s got to have a very thin crust.
I’m with you on the thin crust Karen. I’m all about thin and crispy! 🙂
Nice questions to ask with social followers Rebekah.
I’d like to ask all of them, especially question no. 7 and my answer will the same like you, Mom and Dad as they both are my inspiring personalities.
Good to check this unique post, just refreshed my mind with it.
Have a great week ahead 🙂
That’s wonderful Nirmala. It sounds like you had amazing parents! It’s nice to reflect on how grateful we are to have them as role models.