networking
Network even if you aren’t looking for business
Goto any networking meeting and the conversations include peoplesharing with each other who they want to meet and what they’recurrently looking for to help grow their business. Sometimes a personwill even state that they don’t need anything. Business is great,revenues are on target and their goals are being met.
Networking – don’t always fish in the same pond
Mom always told me to share – she was right
Social media is often used to share knowledge, and there are many people doing just that. You can learn something on just about any topic you choose – earning money as an MLM associate, how to “go green”, exercise and diet, how to grow your business, gardening, the law of attraction, marketing, customer service, car maintenance, travel, and even social media itself … the list goes on forever.
When we started our personal property inventory company, one of our goals was and still is to educate people on the many reasons they need to have a list of their home and business belongings. So we did and still do the standard, tried-and-true methods. One is speaking engagements. We enjoy sharing our knowledge at Kiwanis, Sertoma, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce and church group meetings, explaining why one needs a home or business inventory and also how to compile one. I write a blog and electronic newsletter; I provide articles as a guest author for others’ email and paper newsletters and blogs; and enjoy being a regular columnist for the Morgan County Business Leader.
Once we got comfortable with Facebook and Twitter, we thought it would be a great way to reach more people by offering our knowledge through this venue. Though every day we reach out to people who are posting or tweeting about insurance, burglaries, fires, estate planning, divorce, etc., we have organized an “event” per se. Each month, we establish a time for “Ask the Experts” and monitor questions and comments on Facebook and Twitter – a specific time to focus on providing the knowledge others are seeking regarding the need for an inventory. In between the questions, we post pertinent information such as “Be sure not to overload your extension cords when decorating for the holidays” and remind people to check their smoke alarm batteries.
In addition to reaching out to our followers, we are providing an opportunity for them to ask for help when they might otherwise hesitate. Social media is a new information highway that, used for the better good, can be an excellent tool to provide knowledge, to pay it forward, to give to others – to share.
How can you use social media to meet or enhance your business’ mission statement?
Social networking becomes more personal
There is a trend that is picking up speed. Facebook has “25 things about me”. You create your list of 25 random items on the notes tab, tag 25 others, then ask them to do the same. Smaller Indiana members are requesting “7 things you didn’t know about me”. In your post of 7 things, you include 7 other members and link to their 7 things.
Is social networking become more private? Absolutely not, considering these are being posted for all to see. But social networking is becoming more personal.
I see a nice transition happening. In the early years, many people followed people just because. No reason, no similarities, nothing in common to create the desire to know that person. And I believe it didn’t matter. Social media was so new, so FUN, that the experience of being on the site with others around the world was the only requirement. And the excitement and uniqueness of this new phenomena was enough.
As we are all figuring out how powerful this new media can be. So ground rules are being laid and some sites have hard-and-fast rules posted on the home page. Expectations are present, and that’s all for the better.
Smaller Indiana is one of my favorite social sites. They do it right, letting you know the purpose of the site and what you can expect from the others if you choose to join – and what is expected of you. So you want to be a Smoosier, as the members are called? Right there, on the home page, for everyone to see before they even sign up, are a their 6 ground rules.
Do you think this site is too restrictive because you want to promote your business more? You don’t see the value in the whole social networking/building relationships experience? There are plenty of other choices where you can spend your time as you see appropriate.
I have recently seen many posts and heard conversations stating My Space is too invasive, there are “…too many stalkers” or “it’s becoming creepy.” These comments support that we are placing a higher expectation on those we meet on line (and possibly because these comments are from business people rather than teens.) Many Twitterers will not follow someone without an avatar and a bio. That makes sense, because how do you know you want to follow someone if you can’t tell anything about them? This isn’t a rule, but it is a standard many people on Twitter adhere to. Unlike Smaller Indiana, there are not rules posted. People learn as they go. And that’s OK, too.
The key point is that people want to know more about you than your screen name. They want a photo that they can associate with a name. If you’re on these sites to make connections and also to help promote your business, you will have difficulty achieving success without sharing who you are. People buy from people, not from companies. Share your 7 or your 25 when people ask. They ask because they want to know you better.
Be you. Share. Connect.
Network even if you aren’t looking for business
I have been to networking meetings when the conversation includes people stating what they’re currently looking for to help grow their business. Sometimes a person replies that they don’t need anything. Business is great, revenues are on target, they’re working the amount of hours they want to work, and their goals are being met.
So, why are they still networking? The first and foremost reason to network is to meet people and build relationships. Business might be good at the moment, but you never know when your best customer is no longer a customer. Or you might change your goals, decide to grow, hire more employees – whatever the scenario – and additional business will be needed to meet your projections.
Building relationships is not an overnight happening. Rather than starting to create your network when you need it, you’re much better off if you already have a network in place. Then, when needs change, you can immediately begin working toward your next goal.
There are many of other reasons, besides business, to network. Do you enjoy speaking, and have a topic that would be of interest to others? Use your networks to help find speaking opportunities. Civic organizations are always looking for someone to provide an interesting talk at their meetings. The next time you’re at a networking event, let people know you’re looking for this opportunity.
Are you a volunteer for a non-profit organization? Think of how many business owners and management-level decision-makers you network with. If you’ve built a relationship with them, your requests for donations will often result in success. I served on a silent auction committee for quite a few years, and just a few conversations, phone calls or emails resulted in a variety of unique and valuable items. Without my network of professionals and business owners, I would have had to knock on doors and ask total strangers for donations. This most likely would not have achieved near the results.
Are you a professional who likes to be known as the ‘go-to’ person for your clients and others? Building a great list of people you know and trust will give you that ability. When people start calling you for referrals, that will make you more valuable than the others in your industry. And when they need a realtor, mortgage broker or insurance agent or (insert your profession), they will most likely remember you because you’ve previously helped them. And you’ll be at the top of their list of people they refer because you provided this service to them.
Networking isn’t just about other businesses. Don’t forget about family and friends. When my mother needed a new roof, she asked me who she should call. A friend needed an attorney, and asked who I would recommend. My son’s air conditioner quit working when it was 90 degrees. He called me, and the relationship I had developed with an HVAC business owner put my son at the top of their list.
The opportunities to become a great resource are numerous. Being able to help others is a good reason in itself to network. Not only did I help my mother, friend and son, I also sent business to people who I have developed a relationship with. And that has great value!
A different Christmas Eve – a different Santa!
It was the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Santa walked gently, as quiet as a mouse.
Without a whisper he filled his bag…what? No, no, no, Santa doesn’t fill his bag; he empties it leaving presents for all the good little boys and girls. But not this Santa!
It’s Christmas Eve and the family is tucked in their beds,
With visions of presents dancing in their heads.
Little could they guess that the guy in the red velvet suit this year is a Santa burglar.
The stockings were hung on by the chimney with care,
They’ll find in the morning that nothing is there!
The flat screen TV, Wii and all the games…gone! That beautiful necklace, custom made for mom…gone! Dad’s new golf clubs…gone!
The night before Christmas is now a nightmare of sorts.
The only thing to do is call the police and fill out reports.
The police asked for serial numbers. What about pictures of anything stolen? (Camera’s gone, too!)
So the night before Christmas was different this year.
Things were missing; Mom and the kids shed some tears.
No pictures? How about receipts?
Yes, we have the receipts; they must be found!
They were in the cash box, all neatly bound.
Where’s the cash box?
The cash box is gone – the house was cleaned out!
As to what was missing, there was much doubt.
Mike & Cindy from Hartman Inventory said something like this could happen but that was just salesmanship, right? After all, things like this only happen to other people, right?
So if you don’t do it yourself, please call us; you’ll find
That the service is of value and brings peace of mind.
Edited with persmission; original written by Rowena Bergan, 1995
Networking isn’t limited to organized meetings
You want to meet new people, so you network. But sometimes the meetings seem to get stale, or you already know everyone in your group and you want to expand your reach. Other times you just can fit the regular meetings into your schedule.
I challenge you to rethink what networking really is. Is it going to a meeting once a week or one a month, telling people what you do, listening to what they do, and trying to find business for them while they find referrals for you? Or, is networking really the process of meeting people, building relationships and then once trust and respect is developed, you automatically want to help each other grow your businesses?
If you believe networking is the meeting scenario, I ask you to be creative for a moment. If you’re more in line with the relationship-building thought process, then you’re probably already looking outside the networking box and are finding other places to promote your business.
Civic organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary and Sertoma are formed for the purpose of serving others. Church groups, community foundations, non-profits and industry associations welcome volunteers. Though their focus is not helping you grow your business, the result is you now have a team of people who will get to know you and trust you. Fellow members will introduce you to their connections because of the relationship you’ve built over time.
An extremely casual way to network is at a party or open house. Show interest in others, ask what they do and most will also reciprocate with inquiring about your business. Creating a discussion will allow the conversation to continue, and that conversation just might lead to business. It not, they now are aware of your business, and being at the same function has created a commonality.
One of my best customers was introduced to me at a dinner party. Neither of us went with the sole purpose of finding each other, but conversation led to talking about business, and a month later he was writing us a check!
Are you bored while standing in line at the grocery store, waiting for your flight, pumping gas, or sitting at the doctor’s or dentist’s office? Take the opportunity to strike up a conversation. Some will let you know you should leave them alone, but often I find they are just as bored as I am. A business associate was at the golden arches, watching his children play. Upon asking another dad about his business, they found a great synergy and are working on projects together on a regular basis.
Look around. There are opportunities every day that present themselves to you. Talk to people. Add some variety to your networking routine. Worst case, you’ll fill some time when you’d normally have been bored. Best case, you’ll meet someone who will turn into a customer or a business associate.
Small businesses should embrace social networking
My Google Alerts came to me on Wednesday, as always, but something I didn’t expect was there…a post by Paula Henry, a local real estate agent in Indianapolis. Paula’s blog talked about how valuable and necessary an inventory is. She mentioned that if you do create an inventory, you’ll most likely find a lot of items that you forgot you own, some of them possibly ‘gadgets’ you don’t know how to use. She then seamlessly moved the discussion over to a company called Noobie. The remarkable thing about this is that Patrick Welch, President of Noobie, Inc., and Mike & I, owners of Hartman Inventory, are friends, but she has never met either of us! (Do you see an opportunity to co-market here?)
I emailed her and asked how she learned about us, stating the different social networking sites we’re on. She replied that she’s in all those places as well, but Twitter was the winner this time. Her remarks: I occasionally go looking for people in Indianapolis and found you and your company. When Twitter first started, I was hooked up with all Realtors and people in the real estate industry. Well, that doesn’t make much sense, so I started looking at Indiana specific places and ended up at Smaller Indiana and the Twitter group there…… the rest is history. I keep looking for and finding businesses and services which I think are of value to my clients.
For those of you who still question the value of social networking, this is a classic example of why it is worth your time, and how it helps your business. We most likely would have never touched Paula’s contacts…but because of Twitter, we have!
Start your own inventory business!
Click the logo to find out more about our Turnkey Business Package!