It's been awhile since my last post. Mainly, it's because I've been doing a lot of "unsettling" into 27.
I woke up early last Friday to attend an event about "breakthrough networking." Honestly, I hate networking. Big group events filled with "What do you do?" are not my thing.
Anyway, I'm still impressed I pulled myself out of bed but I felt like I'd learn something important.
I wanted to share some of the great takeaways with you.
Network with people who are better than you
Imagine you're buying a house. Do you want the highest priced house on the block or the lowest price house? Answer: you want the lowest price house because your neighbors will raise your value. How that translates to networking: you want to be networking with people who are better than you.
Your referral sources are your volunteer sales force, and you're the sales manager of this volunteer sales force. You are the solution to something and you need to activate your raving fans.
Hunting versus farming network
Are you a culprit of hunting networking? That means you're focused on finding your end user in the room. But the truth is, people don't use people they've only met once.
It's all about changing your mindset. Every result you want comes from your mindset. People who are productive do it in the way they think. We're obsessed with "to dos" but they don't produce breakthroughs.
The way you do anything is the same way you do everything. Watch people and get a sense for how they run everything in their life.
Stop texting or looking at your phone. Pick your battles. You're interested in people who are interested in you.
Number one place to be humane is on yourself. People focus too much on the "blew it" list. We're obsessed with what's not enough. Try keeping a gratitude journal with 3 things you're grateful for and 3 things that make you amazing.
Are you getting airtime on the channel of a connector?
Word of mouth epidemics are the work of connectors. People need to 1. know you, 2. like you, and 3. trust you before you start to see dividends. Connectors connect others. They are constantly raving. Have you gotten airtime on their channel? Win people by bringing massive value to them. Are you brilliant at conversing what you do? Connectors want to be heroes.
Every relationship is a relationship account
Every relationship is a relationship account. Make deposits that are relevant and high value. Be a good question asker. Then you have the greatest potential ROI. But only do it if you truly enjoy the person and there is no expectation of return (detach yourself from the outcome).
If you're not impressed with the people, don't invest your time. Over-givers are exhausted from giving. It has to be a circle that comes back around.
Make withdrawals: ask for intros, recommendations, or nominations.
Give deposits: give referrals, set up intros, treat everyone the way they want to be treated. Send them articles of interest. Do they want to be nominated? Invite them to events -- who would get value out of this event? Schedule coffee only if they are worthy of coffee, otherwise, ask them to join you at the event. If you want to learn more about them, ask them to coffee.
Don't forget to dress up. People want to know if you can handle their best client.
Identify, invest, incentivize.
