With tonight’s post, I’ve decided that {aPRettySocialBride} will be a weekly series posted every Monday. That said, I’m sorry this is post is slightly later in the day. It’s been a long weekend of family, wedding deposits and bridal shows followed by a long Monday at the office…but you might know how that is ; )

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Today’s post is about engagement — not the kind that comes with a sparkly ring on your finger, but rather the kind of engagement that happens every day on Twitter, Facebook and other social networks.

We often rate a person’s or a company’s social media presence by how well they build and promote relationships online. I’ve talked a little bit before about how important it is for companies to engage with their customers and potential customers online (and by engage, I don’t mean trying to sell something), but today I have a pretty great case study to back it up…

Lisa Spegman, owner of KnoxPlanning (an event planning company here in Knoxville), and I have known each other for a little while via social media. She is someone who has been very helpful to me as I’ve been crowdsourcing to find my wedding vendors (she even referred me to my wonderful photographer!)…and yet, through the process, she didn’t try to sell me her services once. She provided tips and vendor referrals as a friend, never once plugging that she wanted me to hire her.

Fast-forward a few weeks and I’m on the verge of signing the contract to have Lisa coordinate my wedding…

At the point I decided I wanted a day-of coordinator, I didn’t think of anyone else but Lisa. She had been so helpful to me through the process so far (for free) that I knew she would be the right person to handle my big day.

So what’s the lesson for businesses here?

Don’t jump on Twitter and immediately start trying to sell your product or service. Be genuine. Engage. Befriend those that might (or might not) one day want to give you their money. I understand it might seem like a long process, but it could (and probably will) have a big pay-off in the end.

Everyone — consumers, brides, etc. — wants to work with companies and people that they feel good about. Be that person. Be that company. Be more than just a faceless brand or a salesperson. Build those relationships first, and the business will follow!

What do you think? Have you had a similar experience?