Category: Networking

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Networking

Why You MUST Attend Events to Grow Your Biz

Look, I get it. Attending events can be a big deal. There’s travel costs, time away from work, time away from the family, etc. etc.

So why on earth should you bother? After all, between social networking and the telephone, you can meet all the people you want, right? And with all the classes and programs out there, you can get all the learning you need without leaving your house too. Right?

Well that’s not exactly true.

You see, going to events is a lot bigger than the networking and the learning. I would go as far to say something magical happens when you start going to events. Here are 3 reasons why you MUST make attending events a part of your marketing tool kit.

1. Gets you out of your “day to day” rut. It happens to the best of us. Between your huge to-do list and your commitments to your family, community, life etc., you have a lot going on. And sometimes it’s all you can do to focus on the next thing you have to get done.

The problem is when you’re in that mode (and trust me, I’ve been in that mode many times before) you can’t see the forest for the trees. You’re focused on the details, not the big picture. And when you get in that mindset, it’s really easy to miss something — maybe it’s a big opportunity, maybe it’s a problem waiting to explode in your face.

Going to an event means a break in your routine. It gives you a chance to breathe, to see things you might not have seen when all those to-dos are staring you in the face. It can give you a perspective you never had. You could end up with an idea that could transform your business, add an additional income stream or stop a problem in the bud that could cost you thousands in money, time, energy and aggravation.

2. Keeps you from feeling lonely. There’s no question about it — being an entrepreneur can be lonely. Chances are your friends, neighbors and family really don’t “get” what you do to make money, much less what it means to be an entrepreneur — the responsibilities you have and the decisions you need to make. Who do you use for a sounding board? Who do you talk to when something goes wrong — maybe your web site goes down during a crucial launch or your assistant sends the wrong email to the wrong list and causes all sorts of confusion and complications. Your friends and family probably don’t even understand the problem much less be able to give you any sort of help solving it.

But your entrepreneurial friends “get it.” They know EXACTLY what you’re going through because they’re living it too. And it can be such a relief to be surrounded by your “tribe” (not to mention having the opportunity to brainstorm and bounce ideas off of other successful entrepreneurs to see what “pops” for your business.)

3. Gets you in front of people you would never be able to reach any other way. Are there people you’d love to connect with but think they’re so “big” you’ll never get their attention? People like Alex Mandossian or Ali Brown? Well, I can tell you from experience it’s a heck of lot easier to connect with thought leaders at an event then it is to try to get them on the phone or through social networking. (And yes, one of the reasons why I got both of them as a client was I first met them at an event.) Over the years I’ve met nearly all my clients in person, and that has really helped me develop deeper relationships with them. And that doesn’t even count all the joint ventures or other opportunities that have come up because I met great people in person at events.

I really believe one of the reasons why my business started taking off is because I started attending events several years ago. Events can be a great way to boost your business, especially if you know how to approach them. I’ll cover some tips on getting the most out of your event attendance next week.

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Networking

Business Forums Offer A Bounty of Knowledge and Connections

Article Contributed by Tami Stodghill

Back in my professional life before working at home for myself, I was part of the desktop publishing and graphic design software industry for 20 years. I was a Press Relations Manager and my duties included, of course, writing press releases and working with editors and publications to circulate the news of new and updated software products, and working with the software developers to produce information about the upcoming or soon to ship products. To keep informed in the industry, I made it a point to read industry-related publications and to actively participate on the forums.

These forums produced a plethora of information in a number of different ways. There were users on there who had “wish lists” for products they would love to see developed, users who were having problems with products, and still others who had knowledge or tips based on their own experiences. It was the latter that I found most intriguing and the most valuable.

See, none of us are experts in all areas. And we all started somewhere on our quest to own a business or to work at home. We have – every one of us – developed knowledge and skills along the way that make our job easier, make us work more efficiently, assist us in marketing or to gain exposure, help us to better deal with clients or prospects, and more. But we developed or learned those skills over time, and so there will always be people out there that know things we don¹t. This is where the forums come in.

There are all kinds of forums that target businesses‹business owners, small business owners, entrepreneurs, home-based businesses, business start-ups, etc. And each of those forums has a variety of topics at any one time in which we can garner information and learn from others what has worked for them or not worked for them. Either way, it benefits us. There are all kinds of people on those forums. Some are specialists – writers, marketing professionals, advertising professionals, business advisors, etc – and in a lot of cases, they can provide some pretty valuable information.

Another important use of forums is to be able to see what people are asking and inquiring about. Many people turn to forums as a way to find out what opportunities are out there, how they worked for other people and what they would need to plan on to be successful themselves. In many cases, I respond to forum users by introducing myself and offer any helpful input I have. Sometimes I can provide them links to information that will better enable them to find the answers they are seeking, and other times, I can answer them directly. I put myself in their place, just starting out or trying to overcome a hurdle, and I offer whatever I can in the way of support.

Forums are made up of people from all types of businesses, in all kinds of places, from all walks of life, and with all kind of experience and backgrounds. If you find time on your hands, and you haven’t before, check them out. They are a superb collection of knowledge, sharing and inquiring minds that want to know, and your business may just be the answer they are looking for.

About the Author

Tami Stodghill was the Press-Relations manager, for a world-wide extensible-technology distributor based in London and the US for 20 years. She was also a freelance writer for several industry publications and is now a home-based business owner with WMI. She makes her home in Page-Lake Powell, Arizona, in the summers and Palm Harbor, Florida in the winters where she enjoys boating and reading, camping, hiking and meeting new people. She runs a blog site exclusively to offer tips for success for any small or home-based business.

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Networking

Socially Networked, But Still Lonely

I’m curious, as you know, in the interplay between human psychology and social media, so I wanted to share some research with you about social networks and loneliness.

Sparked from this article, this post will deal with being highly socially networked, but still experiencing loneliness.

The research cited is interesting, because it finds that there is a whole group of behaviors (including happiness, smoking, and obesity) which are seen as “contagious” within your social network. This means that the behaviors and attitudes of those in your social network have direct impact on your choices in these areas.

It’s a powerful statement of how influenced we are by those we are closest to.

Loneliness is defined as a perception of social isolation, regardless of how many relationships a person really has. People who have high quality relationships, even if they are few in number, tend to experience less loneliness. John Cacioppo, a psychologist at the University of Chicago, has studied how loneliness is transmitted within social networks.

His findings suggest that if a direct connection of yours is lonely, you are 52% more likely to be lonely. If the connection is a friend of a friend, 25% more lonely. If the connection is 3 degrees out (a friend of a friend of a friend), it’s 15%.

While this research looked at offline social networks, it may have some implications for online social networking as well.

If someone in your online social network is angry, lonely, or hostile, and takes it out on you, you are more likely to ‘transmit’ this mood yourself. This means that, even though you may never have met this person, or interacted with them in real life, their “bad behavior” can still influence yours.

As we become increasingly networked and involved with each other, it’s going to be more and more crucial to monitor our own influences and reactions. We are already prone to increased social decision-making with the growth of social media- we might also be more prone to social media moodiness, depending on who we are spending time with and paying attention to within our social networks.

While social media seduction is enticing, it’s important to remember that we need to cultivate real life friendships too. We need to be aware of separating our thoughts and emotions from those we are in contact with, and making sure that our reactions or feelings are truly our own before we engage in behaviors we might regret.

If you find yourself feeling frazzled, hassled, overwhelmed or stressed out by too much social networking, it might be time to turn the computer off.

RachnaJainPhoto.jpgDr. Rachna Jain is Chief Social Marketer at The Mindshare Corporation. Rachna works with speakers, consultants, authors, and small business owners to develop and execute effective social media marketing strategies. Her proprietary persuasive social media process focuses on building influence, credibility and visibility online. This translates into greater recognition, increased website traffic, faster lead generation, a shorter sales cycle, and more opportunity for her expert clientele.

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Networking

10 Commandments for Better Networking

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Many business people and entrepreneurs get a bit uncomfortable at the very mention of networking at business functions. The process doesn’t have to be traumatic, scary, or a waste of time. When done properly, it can truly make a difference in the amount of business your company generates. Use the following Ten Commandments to help you network your way through your next business networking event:
1. Have the tools to network with you at all times.
These include an informative name badge, business cards, brochures about your business, and a pocket-sized business card file containing cards of other professionals whom you can refer.
2. Set a goal for the number of people you’ll meet.
Identify a reachable goal based on attendance and the type of group. If you feel inspired, set a goal to meet a specific number of people and make sure you get all their cards, and don’t leave until you’ve met your goal.
3. Act like a host, not a guest.
A host is expected to do things for others, while a guest sits back and relaxes. Volunteer to help greet people. If you see visitors sitting, introduce yourself and ask if they would like to meet others.
4. Listen and ask questions.
Remember that a good networker has two ears and one mouth and uses them proportionately. After you’ve learned what another person does, tell them what you do. Be specific, but brief.
5. Don’t try to close a deal.
These events are not meant to be a vehicle to hit on business people to buy your products or services. Networking is about developing relationships with other professionals. Meeting people at events should be the beginning of that process, not the end of it.
6. Give referrals whenever possible.
The best networkers believe in the givers gain philosophy — what goes around comes around. In other words, if you don’t genuinely attempt to help the people you meet, then you are not networking effectively. If you can’t give someone a bona fide referral, try to offer some information that might be of interest to them (such as details about an upcoming event).
7. Exchange business cards.
Ask each person you meet for two cards – one to pass on to someone else and one to keep. This sets the stage for networking to happen.
8. Manage your time efficiently.
Spend ten minutes or less with each person you meet and don’t linger with friends or associates. If your goal is to meet a given number of people, be careful not to spend too much time with any one person. When you meet someone interesting with whom you’d like to speak further, set up an appointment for a later date.
9. Write notes on the backs of business cards you collect.
Record anything you think may be useful in remembering each person more clearly. This will come in handy when you follow up on each contact.
10. Follow up!
You can obey the previous nine commandments religiously, but if you don’t follow up effectively, you will have wasted your time. Drop a note or give a call to each person you’ve met. Be sure to fulfill any promises you’ve made.
Called the “Father of Modern Networking” by CNN and the “Networking Guru” by Entrepreneur magazine, Dr. Misner is considered one of the world’s leading experts on business networking and has been a keynote speaker for major corporations and associations throughout the world.
Right now you can learn the tips and techniques networking leaders use themselves and have proven to bring results. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.
About the Author:
Dr. Ivan Misner: When you buy Networking Like a Pro from Amazon via our special offer: http://ivanmisner.com/amazonbookbonus.html our exclusive bonus offer includes a 6-month free Premium Subscription to Networking Pro, the leading online networking resource that contains free training, e-books, audio podcasts and more! Offer good Feb 1-4 in honor of International Networking Week.

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Networking

Networking Is Both a Mindset And a Skillset

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Networking is just as much a mindset as it is a skillset. Skillsets include learning how to teach others what kinds of referrals you are looking for and how to ASK for referrals from your clientele. The “mindset” is an entirely different way of thinking that you must be equally well-versed in for your networking to be as successful and dynamic. Let’s take an up-close look at some of the areas where “mindset” is critical to networking for success:
1. The Law of Reciprocity or Givers Gain Approach:
The Law of Reciprocity sets in motion in-kind responses of individuals towards the actions of others. What comes around goes around–you’ve heard it all before, but have you tried applying it to your networking?
The Law of Reciprocity is not transactional. That is to say, you cannot approach thinking, “I did this for you, now what are you going to do for me?” The return might not even come from the individual you gave to, but the return will come, of this you are assured.
2. Diversity in networking:
Look for groups that don’t target people just like you. Choose groups to participate in which are varied in their focus. Be in a casual contact network, a strong contact network, a service organization and a social organization. This way you are coming in contact with a wide variety of folks, many of which will be either your target market, or complimentary professions that make up your own contact sphere.
3. Farming Mentality:
In order for networking to yield extraordinary success, your mentality must be that of the farmer. He prepares the soil sometimes for months before ever planting the seeds! He tends the seedlings with care, feeding and watering them regularly. It is a long, drawn-out process to go from seeding a field to harvesting the crops. There’s no “quick return.”
It’s the master networker who turns her attention to developing the relationships with the professionals she intends to refer to her clientele, friends and family and would like to have referring her to theirs.
Now let’s examine a few of the skillsets you will want to have as you develop a strong word-of-mouth based business.
1. The VCP ProcessTM:
VCP stands for Visibility, Credibility and Profitability. Things like participating in the monthly mixers offered by your local chamber of commerce, writing a regular column in your local newspaper and sponsoring the Little League team are things that make you VISIBLE. As you become more and more visible in your business community, you will develop a greater credibility. So take a look around you for the opportunities you have to make yourself more visible to others. Think out of the box; be creative.
2. Sharpshoot, Don’t Shotgun:
I encourage you to focus on your top two of three areas of expertise. Keep in mind that you are not marketing to your referral sources! You are, in effect, training a sales force. Your networking team is there to keep an eye out for your potential clients.
If you break your business down into its lowest common denominators (LCD’s), you will find that you become much more effective in training your sales force. They will learn more about each thing you do and be able to recognize when they are in front of someone who really does need your product.
3. Hold One-on-Ones:
When you are conducting a one on one, it’s almost like doing an interview, except that you both get to ask questions of each other! The GAINS exchange is an acronym that stands for Goals, Achievements, Interests, Networks, and Successes. The idea is to bounce back and forth and share something in each category with your referral source.
I hope that by now you can see what I mean about networking being as much a mindset as it is a skillset. Clearly there are many things to DO that will make your networking attempts successful, but there are also a good many things to BE that are equally, if not more, important to this art.
Called the “Father of Modern Networking” by CNN and the “Networking Guru” by Entrepreneur magazine, Dr. Misner is considered one of the world’s leading experts on business networking and has been a keynote speaker for major corporations and associations throughout the world.
Right now you can learn the tips and techniques networking leaders use themselves and have proven to bring results. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.
About the Author:
Dr. Ivan Misner: When you buy Networking Like a Pro from Amazon via our special offer: http://ivanmisner.com/amazonbookbonus.html our exclusive bonus offer includes a 6-month free Premium Subscription to Networking Pro, the leading online networking resource that contains free training, e-books, audio podcasts and more! Offer good Feb 1-4 in honor of International Networking Week.