If you have never been to this site before, let’s just say that I am a traditional networker trying to find his way in a new fangled electronic world. Most of this blog is devoted to that journey. And, make no mistake, I am a huge believer in networking and close to 100% of my client base is connected in one way or another to creating, nurturing, and building these types of relationships. Now, more than ever, there are a lot of ways out there to connect with others. So, how to strike a balance?
Business-Social Leads Groups (business emphasis): Perhaps the traditional networker’s most widely recognized tool of trade. I have been involved in these since the early 90’s and still maintain relationships that began that same long time ago. I am not making this up, I have sold millions of dollars worth of signs as a direct result of relationships that began in these same groups. Relationships that continue today. I am such a huge believer in these organizations that I created one that meets my exacting specifications for the leads group fueled by steroids …. NetWorks! (smile). NetWorks! fulfills what I like to call the business-social segment of networking. We are social but, the focus is on business. Just this week, I was presented with a ground floor opportunity to further present the sign aspect of my business to a very targeted and lucrative market. The offer came from a gentleman who was a member of my leads group some 16 years ago. This type of networking is best designed for those of us who are comfortable with being considered as carnivorous by nature (smile).
Social-Business Networking Events (social emphasis): Included in these would be functions like Business After Hours which are typically hosted by local Chambers of Commerce. You can see these local meetings on our Event Calendar page. As a group, we participate in the monthly “Smoke Out” Eat, Meet, & Greet in Meridian. For whatever reason, I find this to be, and without question, the most effective gathering of it’s type. As for me personally, I belong to Sales and Marketing Executives. A smaller group but with some very key people. As it is, I learned of a major project today and ……..the company president for this project just happens to be a member of this same organization. I’m not sure where this will take me but, it has created a warm call opportunity where none existed before. While social-business may still considered to be a part of the “meat eating” segment, you will also find healthy portions of vegetables (smile).
Social Media (emphasis would appear, on the surface, to be very social): Still hate the name but starting to understand the process. Better yet, I am starting to see actual glimmers of results. Once again, I am further convinced that LinkedIn remains the tool for business. A client called me today and commented on how every time he gets updates on his LinkedIn connections, I am always there. This blog appears via a feed on my LinkedIn profile (LinkedIn WordPress Plug-in Application). What I did not realize was that, every time I do a new post, it triggers an update. Social Media = Top Of Mind. And, I was so top of mind that he thought of me immediately when he was advised of a substantial project that he knew would be of interest to me. So, he picked up the phone and called. I am starting to be a believer.
Twitter remains an enigma but I spent today finding new folks to follow. Some are even following me back. Social Media = Top Of Mind = Branding. I continue to evaluate Face Book and learned today that I can create a web link to my profile at this site which is simplified and reflects my actual name vs. a lot of symbols and letters and numbers. This process began with a tweet alerting me to a site that was offering to create free Twitter backgrounds (skins)….. eTweeple.com. Within one hour of submitting my request for free stuff, I was contacted by a real person who had real questions and who instructed me on how to create this personalized web profile link on Face Book. Twitter = give and take not ask and get. Social Media = time and patience. It grows slowly and must be constantly tended to. Kind of like a garden. And, who likes gardens? Vegetarians (smile).
One On One NetWorking: Regardless of what methods you employ, never forget the importance of meeting one on one. Lunch, coffee, whatever. If not in person, drop a note or an email just to say “hi” or, perhaps, in recognition of a recent award or industry designation. How about to just say “thanks”? And here is one of Craig’s fundamental rules….if you think that just because they know you, they will be doing nothing else but thinking about you and watching out for you…….hello! Time to wake up and smell the coffee. These people have lives and responsibilities that do not involve taking care of you. Regardless of how much they like you. One On One = Relationships = Results.
Got to run and will be out of town for a few days so you may not see another post out of me for about a week. See. You wanted proof? There is a God (smile).
Thanks for visiting!
Craig
