Posts Tagged ‘networking’

Dirty Jobs at LWTC

October 27th, 2010

I’m attending a Lake Washington Technical College event this morning. They are holding a fundraising breakfast for the LWTC Foundation.

Should be a good event.

The keynote speaker is Eddie Barbini, Executive Producer of the Discovery Channel’s popular reality show, Dirty Jobs. Mike Rowe, star of the show, will make a special video appearance.

I’m hoping to meet some new people and make some positive contacts.

Free! 300 plus networking meeting coming up

October 18th, 2010

On Nov. 1, I am attending a 300 plus networking meeting in Lynnwood. Bring your business cards and 30 second commercial and get prepared to meet people.

The key to this meeting is the follow up. After the meeting, send a thank you card and then call within a week to set up an appointment. When you have 300 plus people, you can’t sell anything. You just want to meet them and find something in common with them or better yet some problem they are having so that you can set an appointment to help them out.

Let me know if you want to go so I can register you. It’s Free!

The Referral Engine

October 3rd, 2010

Ovaleye posted a review of the book The Referral Engine. I’m going to have to check it out. I’ve put a link back to their blog below. Here is an excerpt…

The Referral Engine
By John Jantsch

It goes without saying that referrals are one of the best and least expensive ways of obtaining customers. In this book the author, John Jantsch, provides great detail regarding identifying, attracting and maintaining referral sources. While the book is full of great information earning it a good rating, I like to also rate the books I read on how much buzz they create around the Ovaleye office. The relatively low buzz factor this time held the rating to a 4.

The final chapter of the book provided a good summary of what was learned in the previous chapters. Summarizing the summary even further it went about like this.

 Click here for full review

Have you heard the Duck Song?

September 25th, 2010

My 2 year old keeps asking for this song. It’s kind of a funny song. It also shows that you need to keep plugging away in networking to garner success. I’ve been working on something for a year now, and I think I’m just now starting to make some headway. Persistance helps and you just might get a grape (reference to the song)

Networking disconnect – Ivan Misner

September 17th, 2010

I read this blog article today. It was fanastic. Ivan Misner really summed it up here.

http://networking.entrepreneur.com/2010/09/16/the-networking-disconnect/

What do you think?

I’ve been out of it…..

September 16th, 2010

My wife and I had our third child about a month ago. So for the last couple of months I’ve been out of it. I was at a networking meeting this morning and I was struggling to just function normally.

I think I’m getting back into the rhythm of things.

One thing to consider. When you are at a networking event, think of at least two people you want to get to know better. Invite them to coffee, lunch or a 20 minute meeting to learn more about what you both do. –This moves the business relationship along–.

And, it can be fun…..

Build a Relationship – Jeffrey Gitomer

September 10th, 2010

For those of you who know me, you know I am a big fan of Jeffrey Gitomer. I found this video on YouTube about building relationships. I thought it was interesting…

Giving referrals – I did 10 in the last two weeks

June 15th, 2010

Part of my philosophy is, I don’t expect to receive a referral until I’ve given on. So, the big question is, how do I find people I can refer. I’ve been struggling with this question for quite some time.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve given out 10 referrals. It’s been the most I’ve ever done.

I started looking at the way I do business and asking myself, how can I try and get a referral for someone in my normal day to day business. I think I struck a goldmine, and I haven’t yet scratched the surface. For my business, I regularly meet with clients. I sat down and said what questions am I asking and how can I add one more question to generate a referral to a business partner. It’s worked so far.

Take a look at your business. Is there one thing you can do or say to find a potential referral?

Local Referral: Locksmith

June 4th, 2010

Nothing is more frustrating than having a key to something that won’t open. I ran into that situation just a little while ago. Aaron Keating is a local locksmith who knows his stuff. He was quick, knew exactly what to do and was professional.

I highly recommend him. His phone is 206-381-1622. His hours are 24/7 so feel free to call anytime. Be sure to let him know that you know me.

He also has some funny stories to tell. I spoke with him this week, and he told me about a job where he was helping a person who had just bought a condo. They needed a key to the mailbox, so Aaron was re-keying the lock and as he was packing his things up, the police arrived. After frisking him and interviewing the client who paid to have the mailbox re-keyed, they let him go. What an adventure for him! Apparently there has been some mailbox theft in the area.

6 steps to turn your new contact into business (or give a referral)

May 27th, 2010

After you have met someone at a networking event – now what? Your follow up process is key.  Here are the steps I recommend.

  1. Send a thank you card. Thank the person for the time they spent with you. Include your business card.
  2. Put a reminder for you to call in one week to set up a coffee appointment.
  3. At the appointment, get to know their business better. Why did they start? What problems are they having? (You may not be able to help them, but you may be able to connect them to someone who can (opportunity to give a referral)) Don’t push your product. Just listen and taken notes. They’ll ask about your business so just be patient.
  4. Send another thank you note for their time.
  5. Review your notes and look for opportunities to help them. If you can’t help them that is okay. Ask permission to include them in your newsletter or some other form of contact.
  6. If you can help them, call and set up another coffee appointment. Show how you can help them.