Purposeful Networking© Using Social Media
A way to meet only the people you want to meet to get business sooner than later!
Since 1985 I have been working on my networking skills. In those early days I was mainly doing it for the social aspect of my life. I was involved with Lions Club International and the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce. During those times “social media” was done by someone picking up the telephone (that was connected by a cord to the wall) and making a “cold call.” From one of those calls the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club came together to create the Tug Hill Sled Dog Classic. It was a 60 mile sled dog race in Lewis County New York made up of a ‘musher’ and 12 dogs per team. That was one of my first experiences in the power of “social media networking.”
Fast forward to 2011, I have been dragged to Internet social media kicking and screaming. From the first time I heard, “If you are in business you have to be on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter,” I asked the question, “What results will LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter deliver to my bottom line?” Today, people continue to talk about the power of social media. It is said that the power is in exposure. I tell my clients, “Exposure in the wrong places can get you arrested.” In May of 2011, Doug Taber (www.linkedaid.com) showed me the power of LinkedIn.
Networking is about connecting. However, the way we are taught to network allows for too much risk versus reward. The odds of meeting someone who can lead us to business or become a client are too small. Everyone will tell you, “It is a numbers game.” You have to join (fill in the blank of the organization) to make the networking connections. You need to learn to know, like, and trust someone before they will do business with you. There are too many chances to meet with the wrong person when going to group meetings. The thing that made the Tug Hill Sled Dog Classic a success was two people (me and Kevin O’Rourke) connecting to get the job done. It took us less than 90 days to get the project off the ground and ‘Mushers’ mushing.
From those early days, it troubled me to the point that I have often questioned, “How can people do business sooner than later?” Why do we have to do the dance in a large room of members? LinkedIn delivers the answers. Here is how I am making LinkedIn work:
- Select 25 people (Advocates) who you are connected to on LinkedIn
- Agree to introduce each of your Advocates to one new person each month
- Have your Advocates each agree to introduce you to one new person each month
- Each person to be introduced can be a referral partner or a prospect for business
- Agree that each introduction will include a warm meeting over breakfast, lunch, or coffee
I call this Purposeful Networking©.
Looking at the results you will be introduced to 25 people you want to meet every month. In 12 months you will meet 300 people who are referral partners or prospects. These are all warm introductions. The warm introduction is important. There is a positive exchange of energy when the face to face introduction is made. Bringing a prospect to a breakfast for one of my Advocates, I know in advance that there is a greater potential for a positive energy exchange. Because I know both individuals well, I bring the positive energy.. My Advocate selected the prospect. The prospect already knows the purpose of the meeting. Most important is the warm exchange of energy between me, my LinkedIn Connection, and my Advocate. The same will be true when my Advocate(s) introduce me in a similar warm introduction.
Gerry Rose runs INTEGRITY Networking Solutions in Oceanside, CA. He works with people in business who want to attract the right prospects and generate more referrals. More than 10,000 businesses have been presented the INTEGRITY Networking Solutions system in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange Counties.
Gerry’s stimulating presentation Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals is ideally suited for small business owners, home-based businesses, and independent professionals who want clearer direction and want to attract more prospects, develop dynamic systems, and strengthen their companies’ accountability. Gerry does one on one consulting, conducts a range of keynote speeches from thirty minutes to full-day education workshops.
His book series, Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals, are available on the website, www.integritysd.com.
Gerry has more than 20 years’ experience directing business owners how to grow their businesses. He is a networking dynamo. Those who know him will assure you that he does a great job of bringing people together—which is why he started INTEGRITY.
Involved with networking organizations since 1984, Gerry is a Distinguished Toastmaster, a member of Toastmaster International, and has chaired numerous chambers of commerce and non-profit organizations.
Are you truly committed to attracting the right prospects and generate more referrals? If so then contact INTEGRITY Networking Solutions for availability and information. You can contact Gerry by mail at 1610 Quiet Hills Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056. Direct dial (760) 439-4623; e-mail to gerry@integritysd.com. For more information, go to www.integritysd.com
