As a BNI Executive Director and Founder of ActionSteps4Success, I’ve learned a lot about stepping up my networking.
One thing that always rings true is that great networkers know that Givers Gain®. Think of the golden rule, Give unto others as you would have them give unto you — OK, it was Do not give, but you get the idea.
We share in any number of ways, with our time, with our attention and yes, with referrals. One easy way to share while keeping yourself top of mind to a referral source is to share great articles with them.
This concept is a little more productive then forwarding the office joke email and generally more welcome IF you do it right. For example; rather then send a link out to a group about a recent Andy Bounds tip I read, I found it much better to locate the one person I knew could benefit from it.
After deciding who and what to share, my next step was how. Knowing that we are all busy, busy, busy, I wrote a clear (yet personal) email guiding my who to what while explaining why. The why is the key here. It not only cuts to the chase but shows the other person that you are listening and thinking of them. You’ve highlighted your take aways, which go hand in hand with their needs or interests.
My email looked something like this:
Dear Shirley,
I’m a big fan of Andy Bounds and receive his Tuesday Tips. Today I received his most recent tip which was Cascade Through Air, Not Water.
Remembering our recent conversations about “work smart, not hard” and how to pass this on to our teams without making it sound like work part way, I thought you might be interested in his advice on discussing delivering impact to our teams and discussion points.
Best,
Cys
Another great (and quick!) example is an item I received years ago. Knowing I collected Coca Cola bottles from my travels, a business associate tore an article out of the newspaper about another collector of an enormous Coca Cola bottle collection, faxed it to me with “Knew you would love this. Enjoy! – Sandy” scrawled across it. She showed me that she remembered something personal that was mentioned during a business meeting. Its been 14 years and I still value that attention to detail.
Assignment:
Our assignment today begins with identifying your who. Who do you want to network with and deepen your business relationship with? Once you have that in mind it’s time to share an item of interest with them.
Don’t forget to track this action in your relationship management system under “motivate the client”!
Know someone who is in the top ten percent of networkers or wants to be in the top ten percent?
Forward this and help them be a part of it!
Sign up at: http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=8ubvrzn6&p=oi&m=1011248432795
In networking: The more memorable (positive and helpful) you are, the better the results. Questions? Feel free to call The Constant Social Media Networker, ActionSteps4Success Founder and BNI Executive Director Cys Bronner 866-889-3466 or email her at Cys.Bronner@ActionSteps4Success.com
Her motto: Making word-of-mouth marketing work for you