Tip: Referrals From Strangers
Posted by the Networking Goddess in Networking Tips, Getting Leads
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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