Good morning Gorgeous People
I always keep my eye on the "networking" world and I usually drop by to see what Ivan Misner, the grand daddy of networking, has been up to.
I really loved his advice for gathering the right tools for a successful word-of-mouth campaign and thought I'd share them with you here today.
USEFUL TOOLS FOR A SUCCESSFUL WORD-OF-MOUTH CAMPAIGN
1-Testimonial letters from satisfied clients
2-Photos of yourself, your office facilities, equipment, and/or products
3-Logos of your key customers
4-A list of your memberships and affiliations
5-Question-and-answer sheets
6-Photos of awards and certificates you and your staff have earned
7-Articles you have published, or in which you’re mentioned
8-A one-page flier
9-New-product or service announcements or press releases
10-Current brochures, circulars, and data sheets, and product catalogs
11-Items that reflect your “brand”
12-Items that help you explain your business to your network
13-Client or customer proposals, bid sheets, or marketing letters you have written to existing clients
14-Articles on trends affecting your target market
Would you add anything else to this list? Love to hear from you.
Sunday 31 July 2011
Thursday 21 July 2011
Just 7% of networkers follow up!
Good morning Gorgeous People
I've been getting out and about a bit lately. After going through the process of transitioning a business and being tied to my desk most hours of the day it's been a relief and a pleasure getting out there to network.
My 30 second pitch is going well (Suzy Jacobs, SHE Business Australia - our job is to create the ultimate forum for your business success etc etc), I've depleted my stock of business cards, over done the canapes and drunk more OJ than is good for me (no wine unfortunately).
I've collected close to 40 business cards at the past 3 events so I'm assuming I've given out as many.
Of the 40 business cards I've potentially given out, I've received just 3 follow up emails, linkedin requests or phone calls. Now I could take it personally but I don't! I make an objective assessment and can only conclude people aren't following up! On those numbers it means that as little as 7% of people are going through the process of converting a business card into potential business.
That's a phenomenal statistic. If you're going to the time, trouble and expense of meeting potential business connections you need to be following up so here's my 5 step guide for effective follow up.
1. For every business card you collect, write the date and event at which you collected it.
2. Decide which connections have potential
3. For the ones that don't have potential - send them a courteous email or linkedin request letting them know you appreciated meeting them.
4. The ones that have potential - connect with them via linkedin or email letting them know you're keen to develop the connection.
5. Do all of the above within 5 days of the event.
This way everyone feels validated, there are further openings for action and you're creating the optimum environment for converting that precious time into potential business.
I've been getting out and about a bit lately. After going through the process of transitioning a business and being tied to my desk most hours of the day it's been a relief and a pleasure getting out there to network.
My 30 second pitch is going well (Suzy Jacobs, SHE Business Australia - our job is to create the ultimate forum for your business success etc etc), I've depleted my stock of business cards, over done the canapes and drunk more OJ than is good for me (no wine unfortunately).
I've collected close to 40 business cards at the past 3 events so I'm assuming I've given out as many.
Of the 40 business cards I've potentially given out, I've received just 3 follow up emails, linkedin requests or phone calls. Now I could take it personally but I don't! I make an objective assessment and can only conclude people aren't following up! On those numbers it means that as little as 7% of people are going through the process of converting a business card into potential business.
That's a phenomenal statistic. If you're going to the time, trouble and expense of meeting potential business connections you need to be following up so here's my 5 step guide for effective follow up.
1. For every business card you collect, write the date and event at which you collected it.
2. Decide which connections have potential
3. For the ones that don't have potential - send them a courteous email or linkedin request letting them know you appreciated meeting them.
4. The ones that have potential - connect with them via linkedin or email letting them know you're keen to develop the connection.
5. Do all of the above within 5 days of the event.
This way everyone feels validated, there are further openings for action and you're creating the optimum environment for converting that precious time into potential business.
Tuesday 19 July 2011
Networking is a Relationship NOT a Scorecard
What does networking mean to you?
Does it mean making connections on LinkedIn? Or perhaps on Facebook and Twitter?
Or does it mean morning coffee or evening drinks with the perfect contact?
Is it the exchange of business cards at a conference, a speed networking event or seminar?
Perhaps the answer includes all of the above.
However, those examples focus more on the means to exchange information, and less about the development of a relationship.
If we define networking as the development of a relationship following are 15 possible definitions:
NETWORKING IS…
1. Remembering to call to say thanks
2. Calling to say it didn’t work out, but thanks for the referral
3. Being a source of information
4. Keeping a confidence
5. Sharing information
6. Being savvy enough to know the difference between networking and name collecting
7. Delivering on your promises
8. Having a plan
9. Keeping in touch
10. Following up on leads
11. Being willing to say yes to a request
12. Knowing when to say “no”
13. Extending your contacts
14. Remembering your roots
15. Being a friend
Anything else you'd like to add?
Does it mean making connections on LinkedIn? Or perhaps on Facebook and Twitter?
Or does it mean morning coffee or evening drinks with the perfect contact?
Is it the exchange of business cards at a conference, a speed networking event or seminar?
Perhaps the answer includes all of the above.
However, those examples focus more on the means to exchange information, and less about the development of a relationship.
If we define networking as the development of a relationship following are 15 possible definitions:
NETWORKING IS…
1. Remembering to call to say thanks
2. Calling to say it didn’t work out, but thanks for the referral
3. Being a source of information
4. Keeping a confidence
5. Sharing information
6. Being savvy enough to know the difference between networking and name collecting
7. Delivering on your promises
8. Having a plan
9. Keeping in touch
10. Following up on leads
11. Being willing to say yes to a request
12. Knowing when to say “no”
13. Extending your contacts
14. Remembering your roots
15. Being a friend
Anything else you'd like to add?
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