There Are Opportunities to Network Anywhere You Go

There are opportunities to connect with new people everywhere you go. Here’s my advice about how to take advantage of that.

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You might notice my background is a little different than usual. Well, actually, I’m in Cancun! And today, I’m going to talk about how you can connect and network just about anywhere. Here in beautiful Cancun, I’m on a vacation with 500 people who are all connected through something called Landmark Education.

When somebody asks what I do, I flip the script and get interested in what they do, and I ask them to tell me more about what they do. And when they start to tell me about themselves, they naturally respond, “You never told me what you do!”

So I let them know that I’m actually somebody who upgrades LinkedIn profiles and takes people who are looking for business to another level using LinkedIn. And after that, the conversation becomes amazing.

Where are you going this holiday season that you'll be talking to somebody new?

Now here I am on vacation, and I’m getting invitations from people while I’m sitting by the pool, converting those conversations into new connections, which are then going to lead to new business.

Where are you going this holiday season that you’ll be talking to somebody new? Chances are at some point, you’ll be sitting next to someone at a party or in an awkward elevator ride. Well turn those situations around and, instead of telling someone “what you do,” ask them what they do.

I heard once that it’s really a great thing to treat celebrities like regular people and to treat regular people like celebrities. What if you did an experiment where you treated everybody that you met during this holiday season like a celebrity and you became interested in who they were and were in absolute awe of meeting this person? You’ll want to know who is their center of influence, so ask them, “Are you on LinkedIn? Can we connect?”

Personalize your messages. Make sure that when you send them that invitation, you let them know where you met them. When they accept, send them a very personalized thank-you message. Then you can take it one stop further—pick up the phone and call them and send them something that is actually of interest to them specifically.

The first question you might want to ask is, “What can I do for you? Is there somebody you want to meet that I might know in my my LinkedIn circle or my world?” Be somebody that is of service.

And remember, in this holiday season, there’s an opportunity everywhere you go to acknowledge somebody, find out who they are, make that connection, and then take it to the next level. If you’re not LinkedIn, you might be left out.

How to Turn Daily Events Into Networking Opportunities

Networking doesn’t have to be done at an event. Face-to-face interactions you have every day can be turned into networking opportunities.

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Since the introduction of LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media sites, face-to-face networking has become less popular over time. However, it is still important and very powerful.

Making a positive first impression in-person doesn’t have to happen at an event or networking conference.  Networking can happen absolutely anywhere.

If you go the same place every day for lunch, go to your children’s ball games, or have any other places you frequent, you can turn these routines into networking opportunities.

I read somewhere recently that it is much more important to be interested in other people than it is to be interesting. Whether it is at the gym, on the golf course, or at your child’s school, it is never a bad time to show genuine interest in the people that you meet on a daily basis.

Meeting new people and asking them simple questions is a powerful networking tool. Perhaps they’re wearing a shirt with a logo or have something interesting on. Whatever the case, start a conversation.

If it is appropriate, you can then ask them what they do for business. At that point you can send them a LinkedIn request and become a resource to each other.

Networking is not about selling, it’s about serving.

How big would your pipeline be if you set a goal of meeting three new people each day? Putting these new people into your network could be incredibly powerful. Networking is not about selling, it’s about serving.

A good rule of thumb in life is to treat celebrities like regular people and treat regular people like celebrities. This will always get you far. People may not always remember what you say or do, but they remember how you make them feel.

Think about all the people you see in a day who you could impact by simply giving them a compliment. Even a smile or a conversation can go a long way. You don’t need to have your business card, you just need to get their information. After you do, follow up with them.

If you remain constantly interested in other people, you will always only be two minutes and two people away from your next referral.

If you would like a complimentary copy of my book “52 Ways to Boost Business with Your Business Card,” send me an email at LinkedInDiva@gmail.com and put “FreeBook” in your message.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

The Best Strategies for Growing Your LinkedIn Network

Growing your LinkedIn network is as simple as following a few tips. Here are some of my best practices.

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“How do I grow my LinkedIn network?” is one of the most common questions I’m asked.

One of the easiest ways to grow your network is to make sure that when you’re out and about and meet someone new, you ask them to exchange cards and if you can send them an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. You could do this anywhere, from the Starbucks line to a networking event. Doing this three times per day will get you started on building your network.

Another way you can use LinkedIn to meet new people is by searching out those you want to meet. Find out their title, where they are located, what their interests are, and reach out. If you create a search that’s tailored to find your ideal client or referral partner and you make the request to connect with them in a very specific way, watch what happens to your network.

The secret to sustainable growth is in your follow-up.

For sustained growth and consistent business, the secret really is in the follow-up. You can grow your connections in number but if you don’t do anything with them, you’ll get nothing from them. Mastering follow-up involves being consistent and courteous. Follow up with at least three people per day, tell them it was nice to meet them, and see if there is a time they want to meet up with you. Growing those relationships is the key to building sustainable success. Inactivity will lead to an empty bank account. You never know where your action will take you. It doesn’t take much, either. 30 minutes a day is a good starting point.

If you have any questions for me or want to know more about how you can use LinkedIn to find your next client or referral partner, give me a call, send me an email, or connect with me on LinkedIn. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

How to Get Results From Networking Events & Groups

Do you belong to networking groups or attend networking events?
I have a few tips to help you get the networking results you want today.

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Do you belong to networking groups but you aren’t getting the results that you would love to have? There are a few things you can do to take your networking to the top and get new sales, new connections, and new introductions to referral partners.

First of all, when you choose to go to a networking event, make sure that you check who will be there beforehand. Do your research. Go to LinkedIn and read up on the people who will be there. You should make a point to connect with three or four people.

I also recommend that you have your elevator pitch ready. That way, when someone asks what you do, you will have a memorable, catchy tagline that tells the person the problem you solve, who you are, and why you’re different. That’s part of what makes networking groups so successful.

Wear a name tag or shirt with your logo on it so that you stand out. Be your brand so that it makes it easier for people to refer to you because they can see what you do.

When you choose a networking group or event to go to, go online and do your homework. Find out about the group and all of the different things that they do so you’ll have interesting questions to ask people at the event. For instance, you can ask, “What was the best event this group has had? What other groups do you go to? Where do you find the best networking efforts?” You’ll notice that these are all open-ended questions.

Wear a nametag or shirt with your logo so that you stand out.

Networking should be fun, but it can be very difficult to approach people you don’t know. Instead of just asking people what they do, here’s a great opener: “What’s the best thing that’s happened to you lately?” You can also ask, “What have you been up to that’s really working for you?” When you get someone to talk about what lights them up, you’ll find out what they do. If you just ask them what they do, then you’ll get that canned elevator speech.

For instance, if someone asked me, “What is your best resource?” I would say that my best resource is using Google to do my search for someone on LinkedIn, and then I use that result to search on LinkedIn so that I don’t use up all of my LinkedIn searches. Plus, Googling them allows me to find out as much as I can about that person.

A lot of people also have difficulty finding phone numbers. I recommend that you go to Google, enter their name, their company name, and the words “phone number.” Now, if someone asks you about this at your next networking event, you have a great tip to offer!

It’s important to be prepared for your networking event. Have all of the things that you want to share that make you interesting and ready to roll.

Hopefully, these tips will help you get the networking results that you’re looking for. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would be happy to help you!