First tip – give out referrals yourself. Look at your business and find a way to find out what your customers need. Maybe you can’t solve it for them, but you can give them a name of someone who can and let them know they will be calling.
Second tip – become the expert in your field. It’s not who you know, it is who knows you. Make sure you have a good reputation and that people can trust you. Overtime this will pay off big for you.
Colleges, high school, any business program should have a section on networking. They need to explain how to do it, how to follow up and how to make it effective. Many think they just need to show up and pass out business cards. This doesn’t work.
Others think they need to talk with everyone and sit back and expect the phone to ring. This doesn’t work.
My experience has shown that you need to repeatedly make contacts, follow up and provide a referral yourself. Have a plan on next steps. Be interested in what the other person does. Networking isn’t so much about yourself, its about making connections and helping others. When you do this, then they’ll be motivated to help you.
I recently attended two networking groups where people kept asking the question, I’ve already talked to you, now what?
If you attend several networking meetings you’ll see that some of them have the same people who attend over and over again. So the question is, do you ignore them and only talk to the people you don’t know or do you go talk with them again?
For me, it’s a great opportunity to get to know the person better. Networking is about:
If you keep seeing the same people, you know they are committed to their business. You also have an opportunity to learn more about them and deepen the relationship (which will make it easier to refer them to others and easier for them to refer people to you.)
Do you want to meet other business owners or try your networking skills. Here is a great event (partly because I’m the one running it!)
This Thursday, May 6 at 7:30 a.m. a speed networking event will be hosted by the Duvall Chamber of Commerce. The event is located at the Grange Cafe in Duvall.
Check out these two videos about LinkedIn. I did several searches, but I had trouble finding one that I really liked. The whole point with linkedin is to connect professional. For me, the key is to build out your network – and then use your network to grow your business, find a job or find a referral to a local business.
To really use LinkedIn, you need to decide the businesses you want to connect with – job referral, business referral or a person who can help you connect with a job or potential client. The most powerful part of LinkedIn is the “Get Introduction” link. It allows you to use your network to be introduced to other people. Most often you can ask to meet the person, and they’ll usually accept because they get a personal introduction to you from your network. You get the face to face meeting, and the potential job, client or next introduction to your goal.
The key to LinkedIn is to use it. Search out those contacts and then ask to be introduced. If you’d like more information, let me know.
My oldest daughter had a rough day yesterday. Some of the children at preschool were not playing nice. It didn’t help that she was tired (having put her to bed very late the night before). She was in tears most of the day, grumpy and pouty. It wasn’t a good day, and she really didn’t want to go back.
So this morning, I figured she would be wanting to stay home. Boy was I wrong. She was excited to go back to school – all was forgiven. She also slept very well last night.
So how does this relate to the business world. Recently, I have spoken to several individuals who for one reason or another was not happy with a company, an business organization or an individual. Something was said or done that offended them, made them angry or just rubbed them the wrong way. Because of the wrong doing, the person(s) decided to not go back or stop what they had been working on when the offense took place.
It felt a lot like my daughters issue yesterday. However, she bounced back. I wonder why, as adults, we don’t bounce back as easily and that we willing hold the grudge. From my perspective, most people don’t intentionally try to hurt someone (similiar to the playground) it just happended. (Disclaimer: there are bullies out there, and I’m not talking about them ;^)
I know I try to move on. It isn’t always easy, but life is too short to hold a grudge. If we all want to play in the sandbox (or jungle gym, or business world) then we need to play nice.
PS. We should also get a good nights sleep. It makes a world of difference!
A good friend, Beth Neibert, let me borrow a book, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker. I’ve been slowly reading it, and came across a section I really liked. I thought I would share.
Eker says, “The first time you tried something new, was it comfortable or uncomfortable?” The answer has to be uncomfortable. I think it’s human nature to do anything the first time and not have it comfortable. He talks about expanding your comfort zone. Most people will not grow and develop their skills unless they choose to be uncomfortable or they are forced to be uncomfortable.
Tip 1 – do something uncomfortable. (it helps if you make it your goal)
Tip 2 – Practice it. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will be. Personally, I still have to do somethings that I’m not comfortable with; however, I recognize the discomfort and do it anyway.
Tip 3 – When you do be comfortable, it is a clear signal to expand again (do something else that is new) or push yourself even further.
I attended the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce networking meeting last week. The host made the comment about setting a goal of setting one appointment during the event. I thought a lot about this and he was absolutely correct. As we did the speed networking event, I started to look for an opportunity to set an appointment. One came up that was not expected and I jumped at the chance. I’m not sure if it will go anywhere, but we’ll see. In addition, we had some serious discussions about how to build relationships. Here are my 2.5 tips from that discussion.
Tip 1 – Be a regular. People want to see your face. So many times, someone will show up and then never be seen again. You need to attend regularly so people get to see you.
Tip 2 – Don’t go after business at the first meeting. Listen. Talk. Be genuine. Get to know the other person, and let them get to know you. Set up a meeting outside of the networking event to get to know each other better (sounds like dating!).
Tip 2.5 – Have a follow up strategy in place to go after the business. This is one area that I have been developing personally. My follow up strategy isn’t perfect yet, but I’m working on it. The only thing I’m consistent in right now is a Thank you card I send to each new person I meet. It can be better, which is why I’m working on it.
If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them!
Yummy Food! Great atmosphere! Fun place! I recently had the great opportunity to hold two luncheon meetings at the Pomegranate Bistro. I had never been before.
After-Hours Networking “Mixers” this Thursday, April 8th!
Make new business connections and visit with old friends. The purpose of these “Mixers” is providing a fun, relaxed event for “Shameless Self Promotion”.
Dennis Schauls of John L. Scott is providing the venue at the Cottonwood Grove Community by CamWest. See what these new homes have to offer!
Stop by between 5pm-7pm this Thursday, April 8th and enjoy a little wine and appetizers. Costs: $10 (proceeds to benefit local community events)
Please RSVP to the Chamber Duvall office @ info@duvallchamberofcommerce.com or call 425-788-9182.
Directions from Hwy 203:
Go East on 145th (at Thrive Fitness)
Straight through stop sign
Left on 270th.
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