Question:
How Do you Get the
Networking Process started with someone?
Answer:
From: Lucy Rosen
Listen to what that
person is saying. Listen for what they say that they need. Can you help them?
Do you know someone who can?
Often times, when starting a networking relationship, its about going above and
beyond what you can do and it means looking outside of your skill set to find a
person who can fill a need. This isn't easy! First, you have to really think.
Second, you have to do the footwork and the research to find someone- Third,
you have to be kinda sure that the person you found is as good as you need them
to be in order to make the right impression. The effort often times means more
than the result... (Just keep that in mind)
Just make the effort to give... Give before You Receive... Thats the way you
start! |
Nassau Chapter 1
Monday June 1
6:00pm
Nassau Chapter 2
Monday June 15
6:00pm
Nassau Chapter 3
Monday June 15
6:00pm
Suffolk
Monday June 8
4:30pm
Queens
Wednesday June 17
6:00 - 7:30 PM
New Jersey
Wednesday June 17
7:00pm
New Mexico Chapter 1
Tuesday June 9
6:00 pm
New Mexico Chapter 2
Tuesday June 16
6:00 pm
New Mexico Chapter 3
Monday June 8
10:00am
Call us today at 516.222.0236 for more information about upcoming meetings in your area.
|
New groups
forming
now-
email LucyRosen@aol.com for more
information
|
|
|
Cool Events to Attend
In NEW YORK:
Find exciting NY events at Mary Scott's Networking Calender: Click Here
In NEW MEXICO:
Thursday, May 28th:
Ladies Night! Full Monty Preview
Albuquerque Little Theatre
AlbuquerqueStarts @7pm, $50-single ticket, $80-for you and a friend!Purchase your tickets online HERE! Call 505-242-4750 or 516-222-0236 for more information
Wednesday, June 3rd:
Evening of Ultimate Connections
Albuquerque Little Theatre
Albuquerque
6:00pm-8:30pm, $40 per ticket
Purchase your tickets online HERE! Call 516-222-0236 for more information.
Saturday, June 6th
Part One: Developing Your Intuition...Tapping Into Your Wisdom From
Within.
Part Two: Understanding Your Soul's Language.
Albuquerque
9:30am-3pm
Call 516.222.0236 for more information
|
|
|
|
An
Embarrassing Story, a Life Lesson ...and Advice for My Fellow
Networkers
Everyone's heard the saying about "the shoemaker whose children
have no shoes." But did you ever hear
the one about the networker who was so busy networking for everyone else ... that
she lost sight of the need to network her own business as well as she did for
others?
I recently had an experience that never in a million years did I
think would happen. When I found out about it, I was embarrassed, I was upset
and I was angry... at myself. Then, I took action to make sure that I did
everything I could to be sure it didn't happen again.
I have a group of business associates (actually, more friends than business
associates) who, as it turns out- didn't really know everything that my agency did ... and were hiring others to design their
logos, create their advertising campaigns, write their marketing letters and
develop their marketing plans. What the heck did they think we did? Or, more
importantly, why didn't they know what we do, day in and day out, for so many entrepreneurs, companies and not-for-profits?
My first thought was, of course they did know ... they just didn't want to hire us because we were too
expensive. WRONG. Could it be because they
thought we didn't know their industry?
WRONG. Maybe it was because they didn't like our work. WRONG. They didn't hire
us because -- even though all over the
businessdevelopmentgroup.com website we are very explanatory ... even when I spoke at meetings about creating
marketing campaigns for clients ... and even
when they read about us in a local paper or saw our campaigns being utilized,--
THEY REALLY DIDNT KNOW WHAT WE DID OR
WHO WE DID IT FOR! AGHHHH!!!! Here I am, thinking I'm the networking guru ... and
I have a group of friends that don't really know what we do? That's really
wrong. Right?
Actually, in thinking it through, I realized it wasn't as much
"wrong" as it was a true kick-in-the-butt "wake-up call" for me to re-create my
method of explaining what we do. I changed my "elevator speech" from
" We're a marketing company that creates
strategic and creative marketing plans and programs for companies" (I can
understand why they were confused) to: "We're a group of experts who work tirelessly on
your behalf to market and publicize your business, service or product ... and WE
LIVE for the opportunity to market you in whatever way that means."
People like that... We live for the opportunity to market them? Yep. We do. We kid about how much effort we put into our
clients work, but when it comes down to it, we're not kidding! It's the truth!! My staff and our
support freelancers really do care and really do live for the
opportunity to create fabulous marketing initiatives for our clients.
Not only did I change my introduction, I also took an idea
from Peter Reiss, a Long Island Feng Shui consultant ( who, by the way,
got this idea from his marketing
person) and developed a Referral Cheat Sheet (CLICK HERE if you would like to see it.) With all the meetings I go to, all the people I meet, all
the networking groups that my staff and I attend, I wanted people to have an
easy way to see how they could refer us business. Guess what? THIS WORKS!
Thank you Peter!
Does my campaign end there? Nope... I have a plan to now call
every single person in my network and ask them "Do you know what we
do?" And.then, tell them what it
is that I think they do--- so we can
be clear with eachother and represent eachother correctly.
This really was a wake-up call for me. Embarrassing, very much so....
But, also an opportunity for me to take a look at how I'm networking
myself, my agency and our abilities. And
just like I'm sure that the shoemaker's children eventually all got their
shoes, I'm sure that I'll never again overlook my own agency's needs when it
comes to doing what I do best: network.
|
How to Use Social Media To Grow Your Business  You've heard all the buzz-words-Facebook, LinkedIn,
Twitter...the list is endless! These social media tools are all the rage-hot with
celebrities, news stations, and big brands galore. But the question remains-How
do you get into the social media game, and translate it into business for your
company?
Here are some interesting facts that you may or may not know
about social media that might help you grow your business using Social Media:
Social Media is not a direct sale, but it's an
incomparably powerful relationship tool that leads to business down the road. Don't
expect to connect with someone online and immediately start selling your stuff
to them. It's not natural, and it won't work if you have those expectations.
It's relationship first. Think of it like a cocktail party-would you walk up to
someone and say "Hi, I have an auto insurance agency, here's a quote for your
auto insurance"? No! You build relationships through networking. It's the
same thing when using social media..just on a far grander scale! It's like a
never ending cocktail party-where you can be the belle of the ball!
People WANT to interact with you! There's a fabulous
study by the Cone Institute out of Boston that was done last September. Of the
184,000,000 Americans using social media at the time, 93% wanted to see
their brands on social media. Of that 93%,, 87% not only expected them to be
present, but to INTERACT with consumers! The question is no longer, "will
our brand join the conversation", but "when and how will we join the
conversation".
Provide VALUE. Once you've made the decision to join
the conversation, you want to be valuable. If you're on Linked in, consider
posting industry information on your profile or on a group-something that
others in your industry will find valuable. On Facebook? Update your status
with cool facts about your industry! How about Twitter...you can search for
people with questions about your industry and answer them! The opportunities
to position yourself as an expert in your fiend are endless!
Many will fail at using social media. According to Adam
Sarner, a popular researcher, 70% of Fortune 1000 companies will enter the
social media conversation. Of those, however, 50% will fail. Both numbers
are astonishing-but it's important to note the importance of the second fact.
We maintain that this is due to those who will treat Social Media like
traditional media-shouting a message out without listening to the consumer. The
truth is, brands that engage with their consumers, that learn from them, that
solicit feedback-those are the brands that will win. The question is-will your
brand take the jump?
Thinking of joining the conversation? Here are your Social
Media Next Steps:
1.
Go to Search.Twitter.com. Search for
conversations about your industry, your brand, your competitors. Notice it and
learn from it.
2.
Facebook If you're not one of the 200
million + who've joined Facebook, what are you waiting for? You need to learn
this tool, as it appears to be here to stay. Search for your favorite brands!
3.
Linked In You need a linked in
profile, and you should connect with anyone you've EVER done business with.
Search through their contacts-and remember everyone is connected by just a few
degrees of separation. Linked in can help you get there!
Carrie Kerpen, Queens Chapter Leader
Vice President, New Buzzness
Development theKbuzz
A Word of Mouth and Social Media
Marketing Firm.
www.thekbuzz.com
718 416 2899 (BUZZ) |
Aren't you sick of hearing, "In these economic times..." I
am! I hear from clients how am I suppose to stay positive and fearless
when I'm surrounded by reality. Keep yourself motivated, whether you are
starting a new project or setting your intentions on transformation, it is
important to be and stay motivated.
1. Turn it Off - Turn off the news, don't read
the paper, and start thinking of your job or career as recession proof and
expect the miracles.
2. Send Yourself a Letter - At the start of a
project or a new level of your transformational process, write yourself a
letter and mail it to yourself. Include in your letter inspirational
quotes, a power statement, or something that will make you laugh.
3. Pick Up The Phone - If you are feeling
stuck or in limbo, pick up the phone. Often a supportive friend or
colleague can say something that will instantly get you moving.
Jennifer Urezzio, Morristown NJ Chapter Leader
Intuitive Healer, Blooming Grove
www.bloominggrove.net
862.368.5877
|
Networking Makes Us Happy
I have a friend that designs hot
air balloons. Okay, so he's not exactly
my friend, but I do know of him. There's
a picture of his hot air balloon on my website, and we've had contact by
email. So what does that mean? First, let me ask, why do you network? Or, why don't you? I think most of us fail to do it when
"business is good". When you're busy working your business, who
has the time to get out, meet people, promote your business, or help others get
referrals? Only people who aren't
thriving need to network right? My
answer to that is most definitely no! If
you think networking is something you do only when you're new and just starting
out, or when business is slow and you need to kick it into overdrive, then let
me tell you why I do it. Excluding the
fact that I actually enjoy meeting people, I network for one main reason... networking
creates opportunities.
Not long
ago, my friend Melinda sent me a couple of pictures for my website. One of them was a beautiful shot of a hot air
balloon. Shortly after putting it up on
my website, I was informed that the balloon in the shot was an original tye-dyed
balloon from a local designer of hot air balloons. The gentleman that informed me also sent me
the link to the designers' website. Without hesitation, I added the link to my
website and emailed the designer to show him the photo. He replied back with an appreciative "thank
you" and asked if I knew who took the photo, as he would like a copy.
If you've never had the opportunity
to experience the International Balloon Fiestas in Albuquerque, it's something
you really must consider doing, at least once.
For those of us that live here, we are well aware that every year
thousands of photos are taken from visitors from all over the world. Sadly, I didn't think I would be able to
connect the photographer with the designer, as I didn't know who took the
photo. However, I did know the woman who
sent it to me. I called Melinda, and to
my surprise, the photo was taken by a friend of hers. She gave me the woman's phone number and, to
make a long story short, the designer of the balloon can now contact the
photographer, and I can also give the photographer proper credit for taking
such a beautiful shot.
Will the balloon designer, the
photographer, and I, ever do business together?
I don't know. What I do know is
if they didn't know somebody in my line of work before, they do now. What do you think I'm going to do the next
time I hear somebody talking about hot air balloons? That's right; I'm sending them straight to this
website www.sky-dyes.com. What matters more, business or no business,
being able to connect those two people made them happy. Making them happy, in turn made me feel pretty
good as well.
I guess
this could all be looked at a couple of different ways, but I think the most
important thing to realize is that opportunity is a good thing. Opportunity creates hope. Hope that if you're in need of something,
business or otherwise, somewhere you've crossed paths with someone who can help
you. Hope that if someone needs you, they've
crossed paths with you, or someone who knows you're out there, and will take
the time to tell them about you. If networking
brings opportunity, opportunity brings hope, and hope makes us happy... then I
guess it could be said; networking really does make us happy!
Tina Dziuk, Albuquerque NM Chapter LeaderAssociate Broker, Prudential Sandia Real Estate www.prusandia.com505.271.5800 |
"Say Cheese" to Create a Business Opportunity!
Not every moment is a "Kodak"
moment... but at times it is a great way to get to know someone. How many times have we
said..."Oh, I wish I would have had a picture of that!"
Recently I was at an Islanders game and within seconds Sean Landetta from the NFL walked by. A mutual colleague for both Sean and I-- Sam Romanella from the Islanders was with him and said, "Oh...you have to meet Donna". As we were talking people started asking if they could have a picture with Sean. Then my friend, Steve Maraboli, from "A Better Today", said, "Hey let's take a picture too". In the additional
few minutes it took for us to stand there and get our picture
taken Sean and I had additional time to bond and we discovered we had several common goals. Bottom line- We'll end up doing business together.
It turned a brief handshake into an lasting "Kodak" moment.
The camera is a Nikkon but you get the point. So bring your
camera to all of your events and when you meet someone you
want to do business with smile and say, "Cheese"!
Donna Drake-Dunninger, Suffolk County NY Chapter Leader, Center City - Philadelphia PA Chapter Leader, Chestnut Hill PA Chapter Leader, King of Prussia PA Chapter Leader, North Wilmington DE Chapter Leader
President, Drake Media Network, Inc.
www.drakemedianetwork.com
631.742.6839
|
|
|
|
|
