Sep
15
Reader Tip: Making Contacts
Posted by the Networking Goddess in Networking Tips, Networking Groups and Functions
Email the link for this page to a friend!
Reader Tip: Making Contacts
Hi Nancy:
I do a lot of networking with a friend of mine Jeanne McDonald. Jeanne works for Northwestern Mutual and I have a marketing consulting firm. Jeanne and I have devised the following process for networking.
-Whenever we meet a new contact that may be of interest to each other or someone that each other may know, we write it down in our notebooks, with pertinent contact information and needs.
-When we meet or speak (which used to be twice a month but is now at least twice a month), we sit down and discuss the contacts that we met, discuss their needs and if our initial thoughts were correct.
-If so, we provide a virtual connection via email for that contact and a conversation begins.
-After contact has been made and if deemed helpful, we meet with that person or just have a conversation. We normally add that person to our address book with notes for the future. I believe Jeanne also has a note card for each person she meets as well.
-I can’t tell you how many wonderful contacts both Jeanne and I have met through this process and how many resources (other than our services.) we have been able to give to people. -We don’t get tired of meeting or doing this due to the success and helpful introductions we have made.
It may be helpful for the group to discuss contacts and then brainstorm as a group synergies that may exist for this new contact.
I hope you find this helpful!
Beth
Thank you Beth for sharing!
Nancy
Your Networking Goddess
Sep
15
Tip: Referrals From Strangers
Posted by the Networking Goddess in Networking Tips, Getting Leads
Email the link for this page to a friend!
Referrals From Strangers
This week’s tip was shared with me by one of my readers. This is EXCELLENT!
Nancy,
I’m doing my income taxes and took a break to read my mail, among which was your excellent ezine. In reading it, with income tax numbers fresh in my head, I realized that I made a “mighty” connection last year by networking with a complete stranger, a connection that yielded me more than $10,000. I think your readers might profit from this tip.
Each week, I try to do one thing that is far-out, i.e., I follow a lead that is somewhat remote. For example, if I saw on CNN’s Pinnacle an individual whose work philosophy parallels a book I’ve just written, I will send that person the book. Sometimes, though, I just send a letter.
Last year, I heard about a woman who has been very successful with a national program geared toward a specific segment of the employment population. I wrote to her, suggesting that we might partner in some way. She wrote back, but–quite honestly–didn’t seem too receptive. A week later, I had a phone call from a state government, asking me to submit a proposal for training. Naturally, I asked how they even knew I existed and was told that the woman had recommended me. In 1998, I earned over $10,000 from that
organization, thanks to someone I have never even met. (Of course, I’ve thanked her profusely several times since.)
The story continues–I’ve just been awarded a two-year contract to continue working with that same state agency! Most of my far-out leads never materialize into anything more than possibilities. But the ones that do have been breathtakingly rewarding.
Regards,
Marlene Caroselli, Ed.D.
Nancy
Your Networking Goddess
Sep
15
Yellow Page Advertising Tip
Posted by the Networking Goddess in Networking Tips, General
Email the link for this page to a friend!
Yellow Page Advertising Tip
Some businesses find they really NEED to advertise in the Yellow Pages along with their networking efforts. I have found it most effective if you can put your ad in a couple of different categories. I try very hard to help my clients create their own new category - one not yet listed in the Yellow Pages (But still a heading people would search for). If they do, they have no competition listed in that category - at least for the first year.
Nancy
Your Networking Goddess