I know a Bloke: Marketing for your Network Colleagues

So you've been a member of BforB for a couple of months, been to 4 meetings, like your colleagues and get on with the group owner well, even if he does bang on about Know Like and Trust a bit. You've met a couple of the guys for a one to one and you've got some business out of it. Your BforB fee is paid for and even in early January when its still dark and you barely got going last week because of the flu, you had no problem getting up in the dark to go to BforB. All good. That's about as good as it gets, right?

Well no actually. When life looks like easy street there is danger at your door. There is a kind of danger period for business networkers if they get too comfortable. There may come a time when the leads are not so hot. You might even get to a point where you seek out another a group, after all if the essence of your business is meeting new people why not?

The essence of a business referral club is that is a just that, a club and as such people share their skills to make the club grow. Bringing guests is certainly one thing but so too is marketing your colleagues and their businesses. The "I know a bloke" technique is the simplest and best.

Small talk leads to people talking about aspects of their lives that does not have a direct on what you and they may be trying to sell one another. Two weeks back I was able to tell a new contact (graphic designer) "I know a bloke" who could fix his gutter. And he did, then my bloke asked him if he could sort out an advertising leaflet for him.

It was all a simple matter of having a chat but also having in the back of my mind the fact that I know a lot of blokes. If your networking club does have a Know Like and Trust ethos (there it is again) then you'll have no trouble mentioning your colleagues once you form a relationship with someone. Like all good things its an easy habit to pick up once you start.

So if you've reached your network group comfort level time to take the lead in marketing. Just remember " "I know a bloke,  keep " I know a bloke" in your mind when your of to meet someone. I'd bet the mortgage that if you do and your one of the first in your group to do it, twelve months your group will not be static and you'll bag more business. And you'll know lots of nice blokes! Follow this link to our business networking site

Lucky 13

Found this link this morning to Susanne Roanne's website where she highlights her "lucky 13" networking tips. Only thing is I can only find twelve of them, here they are:

1. Shift your attitude. Networking is merely helping others; it's a lifestyle and it's reciprocal. It's the way the world works and always has.

2. Assess Your Network. Know who you know. Get paper and pencil and write their names. Don't forget people in your daily lives: the cleaners, hairstylist, favorite waiter, auto mechanic, accountant, dentist and barista. When we limit ourselves to people with "titles" of importance, we forget the people we know who KNOW us and have access to others who would want to help us.

3. Hang out with people of all generations and diverse backgrounds who are good at what they do. They will be wonderful, if not informal, mentors. ASK for what you need; OFFER your help to others.

4. Establish a pre-need network. If you only show up at professional association business events, chambers of commerce and community organizations when you are in transition, that is a huge mistake.

5. Create and maintain visibility. Be seen and be known. "Work" every room. When those invitations or conference brochures or monthly meeting announcements arrive, do what the people who create their own "luck" do. Say YES, to face to face events even when you want to say NO. It's one of the EIGHT TRAITS of people who turn serendipity into their success.

6. Be a matchmaker. Introduce and help people connect with those who can do business with each other. That is the skill of the influential and powerful.

7. Stay in touch with people when you need nothing from them Stay in touch online, in social networks (facebook, linkedin) as well as in person….face to face.

8. Keep people in the loop. Let people who refer you business, ideas or job leads KNOW how the process in progressing.

9. Make small talk. While the snobs and socially inept look down their noses at small talk , the savvy networker know that it leads to BIG TALK and that the art of conversation is how we establish common bonds.
Schmooze
and win!

10. MIND YOUR MANNERS. Being gracious, treating people with respect and acknowledging their contributions and help form the core of savvy networking behavior.

11. "Turn-about is fairplay": support, assist and mentor others.

12. FOLLOW-UP is essential to create a supportive network that becomes your safety net.