Posts Tagged ‘woodinville’

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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.

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Posted in Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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Two tips to get referrals

May 25th, 2010

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.

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Posted in Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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Business Class – Networking 101

May 21st, 2010

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.

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Posted in Making connections, Networking Groups

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I’ve already met you – now what?

May 18th, 2010

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:

  1. building long term relationships
  2. finding ways to give referrals
  3. growing your own business

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.)

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Posted in Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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LinkedIn – how to use it for networking

April 27th, 2010

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.

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Posted in 30 Second Commercial, Making connections, Networking Groups, Referrals

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2.5 Tips for Building Relationships

April 13th, 2010

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!

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Posted in Chamber Meetings, Making connections, Networking Groups

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Networking Breakfast – meet local businesses in Woodinville

April 7th, 2010
Networking events

Networking Events

Do you need to practice your networking skills? This event is great. It’s a speed networking event, where you get to meet quite a few people.  I see on average about 35 people there each time they hold this event.

It will be Thursday, April 8 at 7:30 a.m. Here is the link to register and for more information.

If you come. Look me up. I’ll be in a suit with my green name badge on.

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Posted in Chamber Meetings, Local Businesses, Making connections, Networking Groups, Practice Networking

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Funny tips for your next business card!

April 1st, 2010

I cracked up when I saw this video. Thank you Scott Thomas for sending it my way. Some valid points are made in this video – what does your business card say about you?

I’ve thought about redoing my business card and turning it into a coin. A little easier on the pocket book than this guy’s card and still unique.

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Posted in Biz Cards, Making connections

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Why join (You fill in the blank)?

March 10th, 2010

I get the question all the time. Should I join rotary? Chamber? Lions club? You name it. The other question quickly comes from those who have joined something, why should I stay a member of X?

“You get what you put into it!” It doesn’t matter what organization you join. What matters is your participation in the organization.

The more active you are, the more people will come to know you. The more people who know you, the bigger your network becomes. Last week, I attended a Chamber 101 meeting put on by the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce. Participation was the biggest emphasis, and I agreed.

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Posted in Chamber Meetings, Making connections, Networking Groups

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Local Referal: Pony Mailbox and Business Center

March 6th, 2010
Pony Mailbox and Business Center

Pony Mailbox and Business Center

I walked in to speak with Diane Fulton, the owner of Pony Mailbox and Business Center in Woodinville today. I couldn’t believe what I found. She was shipping a loom. First, how many actually knows what a loom is, and second, why would anyone ship one? Who knows.

Diane has over 12 years of experience shipping also sorts of things. She has experience shipping everything from very fragile items to well…. looms. Anyway, I really liked the store because it had a kids area for kids while us parents tried to take care of business.

In addition. she had several gift areas. She had several unique items and when I asked her about it, she said that she was brining in some new items on March 22. She called it her Spring Fling, when she updates the gift items. I highly recommend visiting Diane’s store for all of your shipping needs.

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Posted in Local Businesses, Shipping

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