Don't Over Complicate Networking!

Simplifying and Enjoying the Process of Networking

The Focus is Simple:

1.  Consistently meet new people who are or will be in a position to help you, as well as you helping them in return of course, meet your personal goals.  To achieve long-term success the need for this will not diminish with time.  Make this an enjoyable part of the fabric of your life and you will forever reap the benefits.

2.  Confidently and Clearly articulate and spread your message.  Believe in yourself.  Have faith.  Be mindful that you are not bothering people or interrupting people; in fact, you are trying to get a very important message to them.....the message that you are unique, special, honest (I hope!), and have great knowledge and expertise.  Your Business can and would love to help them identify and implement solutions to their problems.  You can actually help them reach their goals.  Why be reluctant to deliver such a positive message?  You only have very short and brief periods of time to get your message across to those you are communicating with. 

Perception of Networking

Do you avoid Networking? 
Do you perceive the Process of Networking as a "chore" which you must reluctantly force yourself to complete?
Are you uncomfortable in Networking settings?
Do you fear that no one really wants to meet you and learn more about you and your business and the value you have to offer?

Networking should be fun!  If you learn to enjoy the Process you will in fact be much more successful!  Remove the stress.  Do not procrastinate.  Keep in mind that everyone is in the same boat.  Regardless of what particular industry one works in or what one does for a living, they can benefit from consistent and successful networking.  They too (they very people you desire to meet and network with) are also pondering how they can be more successful, meet more people, and maximize the results of all of their interactions with decision makers and influential people.

They want to meet you!  So what are you waiting for?  Change your mindset, approach the Process with Enthusiasm, and you will achieve far greater success and results!

Networking Tips

• Prepare, Practice, and Build your Confidence in advance.  Your level of confidence will be broadcast by your voice, your message, and your body language.  If you lack confidence it will show.  So work on this in advance. 
• Be Genuine.  Always.  Authentic.  Make sure you are not perceived as being phony and solely meeting someone to be a vulture who is solely trying to extract market knowledge or information for your personal benefit.  Mutually Beneficial.  Over time all relationships, whether personal or business, have to be mutually beneficial.  This is a critical objective when communicating that is not easily achieved.  No body wants to establish a relationship with someone they perceive as selfish and only seeking personal gain.  What can you do for them?  Are you the kind of person who enjoys helping others succeed or are you solely interested in your own success?  Keely observant people have a sixth sense.  The will quickly filter out and remove from their line of sight people they do not trust. 
• Be Positive. 
• Be Enthusiastic.
• Be a Great and Empathetic Listener!  I can tell when somebody is only 20% listening and tuned in to the the conversation in progress.  Very annoying and damaging to establishing a relationship!  I can also quickly tell when someone is not making good eye-contact and trying to sneak looks around the room to see who else they should be networking and marketing to.  This certainly does not help establish trust and a strong relationship right off the bat. 
• Be Unique and Memorable.  If someone is at a Networking/Marketing Event and they meet 20 people they are not going to clearly remember and recall all 20 people.  They are going to remember those who succeeded at standing out; being unique; and leaving an indelible positive impression.  They are going to remember that person who quickly and clearly conveyed the fact they have something valuable that can help people or businesses improve and achieve a higher level of success.  They are going to hold on tightly that business card and not toss it into a trash can at their earliest convenience. 

Success

Approach Networking from the Perspective that nothing is more important to your long-term success than your ability to successfully build strong and trusting positive relationships with everyone you interact with; and the more people with whom you achieve this goal the better!  Your Success depends on it!  The more people you meet and interact with the more ideas and information you have access to and can learn from. 

"Business, after all, is nothing more than a bunch of human relationships."
-Lee Iaccoca
Master, Embrace, and Enjoy the Process and Art of Networking.  Success will follow.

Social Media Magic!

Two years ago I basically had no knowledge of "Social Media."

One year ago my knowledge was limited to my personal Facebook Account experience alone.

Today, I find myself immersed in Social Media on a daily basis.  Actually, I can share without reservation, that I have quickly grown to love all things Social Media.  Early in 2011 I began planning and taking some important steps to help me begin my exciting journey towards starting my own Business: Selling By Building. 

Early on in that process, a trusted confidant and supporter (who also is a highly experienced and successful Small Business Owner) enthusiastically conveyed to me the importance of quickly educating myself with and harnessing the Power and Magic of Social Media to assist me with making connections and spreading the message of my business, my philosophy, and what I am all about as I assume the challenge of becoming a Small Business Owner.

Social Media actually is a natural fit with the overriding philosophy behind Selling By Building: the belief that the most important ingredient to achieving long-term personal and business success is one's ability to successfully build strong, trusting, long-term relationships with everyone who we interact with on a daily basis.  This includes Business Owners, Employees, Management, Customers/Clients, Vendors, etc.  Communication is the Key.  Strong Relationships are the Building Blocks. 

A highly efficient means of achieving the critical goal of making connections, spreading one's message, and building strong, long-term, trusting relationships is Social Media.

I am utilizing Twitter, StumbleUpon, LinkedIn, etc., to help me achieve the following important and long-term benefits:

• Establish new connections and begin establishing mutually beneficial relationships with similar-minded people who share similar interests, philosophies, and goals for the future.  I especially appreciate the fact that I can easily connect with, share with, and learn from great people all over the world in many countries.  Being Married with two little ones under six, my ability to travel to far-away places and many countries is limited.  But, being a people person, I want to connect with as many people as I can.  The Technology and Wonder of Twitter grants me the wonderful and unparalleled opportunity to link up with and then share ideas, thoughts, and motivation with great people all over the world.  I consider this fact priceless!
• The ability and blessing to be able to share my diverse life experience and all of the great information, content, resources, quotes, etc., that I come across on a daily basis with my Connections.  I greatly enjoy this fact.  Helping other people and helping other people improve, get motivated, and achieve their goals is what I love doing the most.  Social Media has allowed me to do this easily on a daily basis.  Again.....priceless.
• Lastly: Since I have become heavily engaged in Social Media I have gained immediate access to the thoughts of others and to the Web Content being shared by and recommended by others every single day.  This has allowed me to broaden my horizons and become renewed, invigorated, fired-up again, and rejuvenated at the age of 41.  I learn from great content and links shared daily on Social Media.  I cannot emphasize this benefit of utilizing Social Media enough.  I am no longer limited to just the Great People of Syracuse, NY, that I happen to come in contact with and communicate with.  I am learning from, being educated by, and drawing inspiration from friends and connections in India, Ireland, England, Africa, etc.; in addition to those spread across the United States.  Twitter, Technology, and Social Media have brought people together.  Social Media, Technology, and the Web have increased, without bounds, the free-flow of information, ideas, and education across the Globe and between all people access to the Internet.  One last time.....priceless.

I am going to attend and participate in the upcoming BizBuzz Social Media Conference to be help in Liverpool, NY, on November 1, 2011.

I am excited to be involved and a firm believer of attending this Conference because of the knowledge and appreciation I have gained recently during my transition to being an Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner. 

This Conference will allow me to continue educating myself and to share what I have learned with others. 

I have heeded the advice that was given to me early in 2011 and now I am fully engaged in (with a great deal more to learn of course) Social Media.

In retrospect: I was given great advice that I would now share with anyone reaching out to me for guidance.

My Selling By Building Journey is just beginning.  I am loving it; and Social Media is a Tool that I will continue to educate myself about and utilize to help me with my Mission: positively impacting the lives of others and long-term success with being able to do what I love to do and am passionate about.

Social Media Magic.  Bringing People Together.  Utilizing Technology And The Web.  Full Speed Ahead To Greater Success For All.