The line from Field of Dreams holds true in many areas of life. Today I'm relating it to new networks both business and personal. As you all know by now I'm in a new location with a completely clean slate to work with. Although there are certainly challenges when starting any new business, you're in a new city, and NOBODY knows you, it can feel like Mt. Everest is looking you straight in the eye and you're standing there in a swimsuit and sandals looking up at it. Let me bring this down to a simple equation that will work for you. Get a personal business card. Get online and sign up for 5 free networking events. (Google "networking" + your city name to get a list of them or check MeetUp.com.) Get in your car and go.
Sounds simple, well there are some other things that will help you make the most of your time at the networking events. Here are a few.
1. Research the group that is sponsoring the event. Go there prepared to introduce yourself to the organizer. Let them know why you came to the event and that you appreciate their efforts. (The speakers usually get the accolades so the organizer will remember you.)
2. Bring some guests. When people see that you are interested in help others by exposing them to interesting and productive experiences, they will want to be part of your network.
3. Invite the right people to be part of your personal network. They will be flattered that you think enough of them to want their advice.
4. Be discerning. Not everyone is appropriate for your network. That doesn't mean that you can't be friends! Having the right mix of people will keep your group focused on supporting each other in a professional and productive manner.
5. Start small. Don't try and add everyone all at once. Pick a few people and spend time learning what they need. You can add people that will benefit everyone if you learn what each of them need. As you get better at network building this part of the process will go more quickly than the first time you do it.
6. Have your own mini-events. Once you've found some people that you believe will be great associates, Plan a "Meet and Greet". Pick a local small business such as a bakery, wine shop, cigar shop, quilt shop, etc. A place that's NOT a restaurant. (Supporting a local business will show your new network that you think outside of the box.) Invite no more than 10 people. Keep it small so the interaction is more intimate and the event will have an "exclusive" feel to them. Keep it to two hours and create a handout with everyone's contact information as a take away. See if the sponsoring business will donate some give-a-ways for you to use for door prizes. Give the group three discussion topics to help make the interaction productive. (How can we work together? What are your top two challenges? Tell me about your best customer!) Let the fun begin.
I have used this process and already have my first two mini-events scheduled. I am working on a larger event that I hope to have over 250 people attend. (I've been working on this for about 6 weeks!) It's amazing how much people want to help. You just have to have a good plan and ASK! My next goal is to have each attendee at the mini-events, have their own mini-event with new people. It's a viral marketing technique that will soon give you the exposure you need to make your business grow.
The amazing thing about this process is that no one else is doing this! Sure there are gatherings for specific business purposes, but this technique gives people a pressure free, no strings attached way to get more intimate time with people who are dedicated to their success.
I'll keep you posted on how my mini-events go. I hope you'll add your experience to the comments section so I can share them with my readers. Start to build your network and they will come!
Happy Selling!
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