Referrals Unlimited Network

Do you Twitter?  I am learning more each day about Twitter is a tool that will help me with networking!  Getting to know new people, finding out what their needs and/or wants are and generally enjoying their selected topics is a great way to start each morning.  Not wanting to be a “card-carrying” member or a “lurker,” I decided it was time to participate a little more than simply answering some questions.  Why not generate some discussion of my own?

So, each day I have been signing on to Twitter and posting a Netweaving Tip for everyone to enjoy.  I’ve seen some great responses and I know people are reading them.

As a follow-up, today I started asking a question and am thinking about adding one question per day and asking for comments on my blog so that I can develop a good, strong, information-rich product for my prospective clients.  Would you help me with this?

Would you post your netweaving or your networking challenges here?  It would be wonderful to see how the discussions develop from these questions.

Please tell me  . . .

People are meeting new people all the time . . . in restaurants, at shopping malls, in movie theaters, grocery stores and more.  It’s amazing how many of us consider ourselves to be networkers, yet we don’t have a clue what to do (or not to do) after we meet someone!

Jason Jacobsohn, Networking Insight had a great post on this topic this week.  Check out what he has to say on the subject.  http://www.networkinginsight.com/2008/07/what-not-to-do-when-meeting-someone-for-the-first-time.html

For the most part, I do agree with Jason’s points, however, I must disagree, sort of, with the last point he makes in his post.  Business cards - yes, I do agree, carry them with you at all times, in your briefcase,  your PDA, your jacket pockets, your purse, etc.  The part I DON’T agree with is to hand them out everywhere  you go.  My advice is to be selective in handing them out.   Think about it . . . how many times do you return to your home and/or office with a pocket full of business cards (or even that one card that seems to remain “stuck” in your pocket(s) and ends up in the laundry?) and you don’t even remember why you have these cards.  You don’t remember where or why you got these cards.  It’s crazy isn’t it  -  since you don’t remember anything about the person, might as well throw the card in the trash!

Ouch! Is that what you had in mind when you gave out that card?  I know, I don’t!  If you are selective about handing out your cards, the chances of that card ending up in the trash are minimal.  When you are ASKED for a card, obviously the person has some interest in you and/or the business you represent and will more than likely remember you when they return to their home or office. 

The days of running around, handing out cards to every Tom, Dick and Harry you meet are gone and good riddance to them!  Business cards are expensive to print and with the economy in the state it is in now, who can afford to pass them out to people who are not interested in using them?  In addition to that, you want to be memorable when meeting new people.  By waiting until they ask for your card, it will become more important to them to remember what they wanted to use your card for - new business, a referral, etc.  Speaking of “jogging their memory” as to why they have your card, if you have high-quality glossy stock business cards, the next time you order cards, ask for the glossy stock on the front side only of your card, unless you are using the back of the card for helpful information.  If the back of the card is blank, and the cardstock is glossy on both sides, no one can use that side to make notes to remember why they have your card, what they were to send you or even where they met you!

How about you - what do your business cards look like?  What do you do with the business cards you “collect” as you are out and about?  What do you do with those cards when you return?  How memorable do you want to be?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas, so please post a comment below and tell me about your business card! 

Pay It Forward

Carol Deckert is one of my favorite people on the planet. I first met her through LinkedIn, then the group LinkedIn Power Women.

After a bit, we started chatting on Skype. After I was asked to join Carol as a co-moderator of LinkedIn Power Women, we found that we not only had a lot in common, but we were actually typing in the same words at the same time to people!  We found that we react in a similar way to a lot of things.  It was so nice.

We have gone so far as to kid around that we are “sisters from another mother”!

In between the fun and support, we are actually working on projects together and helping each other grow business.

We became very close personally, and professionally.  Last week I had the honor of actually visiting one of Carol’s in person networking groups.  It was amazing to spend a good chunk of the day with someone that I know from online networking and phone calls.

Carol and I are living examples of networking, and netweaving, in action!

Dr. Sally Witt on left, Carol Deckert on right (the cute one!!)

Stay tuned for video interviews with Dr. Sally and Carol, and more!

You can listen here to Carol’s interview on the Dr. Sally Show:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/drsallywitt/2008/04/14/Carol-Deckert-good-friend-amazing-Networking-Coach

If you want to network with me, just try one or more of the sites below and add me as a friend!

Sally

Dr. Sally Witt Breakthrough Coach/Hypnotherapist

drsallywitt@gmail.com

215/736-0900

skype: drsallywitt

http://www.drsallywitt.com

www.blogtalkradio.com/drsallywitt

http://www.linkedin.com/in/sallywitt

http://twitter.com/drsallywitt

http://www.youtube.com/drsallywitt

http://activerain.com/drsallywitt

http://www.ojeez.com/drsallywitt

http://myspace.com/sallywitt

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688850804

http://www.ryze.com/go/drsallywitt

Feel free to send me an invitation to link, or to be a friend on any of the sites!

Good morning everyone!  Things have been a little quiet around here lately.  What have you all been up to?  Tell us about your latest networking event that you attended - online or offline - meet any new interesting people? 

Netweaving is really a lot of fun and it is the latest, best way to utilize your network.  You can position yourself as a Resource, a go-to person, if you will, one that has a massive contact list and knows just the right people for the right situation and is willing to share that information with others.  You could also position yourself as a Connector, one who helps others by introducing them to key people that may be needed to help develop their business to the next level, or may simply have a need for their services or products.  Either way, by helping someone else, focusing on others, your networking efforts are laser-sharpened and people will respond.  By doing these activities without the thought of what’s in it for me (WIIFM) and thinking of others instead, your payback will be bountiful somewhere in the near or possibly distant future.  You may never be able to attribute a growth in your business from one particular person or event, but you WILL benefit by paying it forward.  I’d love to see you all concentrate on doing that, see what the results are - I know you will be absolutely amazed!  Givers do gain - sometimes the gain is a whole lot more than financial wealth. 

A great example of netweaving is exactly what we are doing in our Skype Room network. When someone is having a problem with their blog, their Squidoo lens, their website, and they need advice on how to fix or solve their problem, they turn to one of us.  We are here to help one another!  Do we expect to be financially paid for our help - no, for the most part, we don’t.  We simply help one another and by helping one another, we all grow.  There are exceptions to this when two people contract with each other to work together and that’s perfectly okay - there’s nothing saying that services and/or products cannot be paid for - we are running businesses!  But the paying it forward opportunity excels right here, in this network.   I hope you are all aware of the rich contacts you have made  here and will continue to help one another - together we will all grow and be wildly successful! 

If anyone is interested in joining our Skype Room Connections, please feel free to visit http://www.runlancaster.com/skype-room/networking   You do need to have Skype installed on  your computer (it’s a free service, you are able to talk computer to computer anywhere in the world, free!) and please be sure to develop your profile on Skype!  As a community, there is a lot of great information that is shared with others and we would love to have you participate too!  We also have a community blog, one where we can each contribute on a subject that is helpful to others - visit http://www.passionprojectblog.com and meet some of the awesome contributors!  We also welcome your comments and your help in generating conversations!

So now tell me - who have you connected lately?  Have you helped someone grow their business by connecting them with someone in your network or have you helped them solve some sort of problem with their business?  If you are looking for some help for yourself or your business, the easiest way to ask is to start with “who do YOU know WHO . . .” and netweaving begins!  Keep it moving forward and help someone else - share your knowledge, time or talents!

I invite you to join in the conversation here, post your comments and let us get to know more about you!  And if you need some help, I’m always available - contact me by Skype (Deckert1116) or email or via the blog or my website - http://www.runlancaster.com

I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your business!  Make it an awesome day - help someone - you’ll be glad you did!

What makes you and your business different from your competitors’ business?  Tell me why you are unique and why you should be chosen over all your competitors to do business with!

As members of my weekly RUN group will tell you, this is a question I am constantly asking them as we give our referral requests during our meeting.  Be sure you are as specific as possible, telling me what you do that solves your client’s pain or how you helped solve a problem.

Members of my RUN group will be asked to come and post here as well.  Please check back to read the comments - I’m sure you will enjoy meeting everyone and be able to make some new referral buddies!

So tell me, why should I do business with YOU?

I am participating in the MarketingSalad.com Online
Social Networking Event, and would love for you to
join us! Social networking is very hot right now,
and this event is going to help you sample social
networking and learn how to use social networking
to get clients.

The event is hosted by Biana Babinsky, the online
business consultant, expert and author. She has
gained many leads and clients through her social
networking efforts, and now she will help YOU
do the same.

At the MarketingSalad.com MarketingSalad.com
Online Social Networking Event you will be able to:

- Connect with potential clients

- Share information about your products and services

- Meet other business owners and solopreneurs

The event will take place on April 1st and 2nd.

Register for the event now at
http://www.marketingsalad.com/networking.html

Bill Cates, from The Referral Minute, writes some great email posts.  Today’s included a great quote that I felt compelled to share with all of you . . .

 Quote of the Week
“Referrals come through who you are, not what you sell.”

Think about that - does that motivate you to change the way you think or the way you promote yourself?  I loved that quote and it really hit home with me - building relationships, going for the referral - it all begins with the person - not the business!  If you would like to read more from Bill Cates, you can find him at http://www.referralcoach.com   Bill talks quite a bit about niche marketing - and he has found his own niche, working with CPAs.  If you know of a CPA that is struggling, I highly recommend sending them to Bill!

Tell me what motivates you?  Do you have a favorite quote that “gets you going” when you are stuck? 

By the way - I love your comments so I appreciate your response! 

GUIDELINES: 

Everyone is welcome to join Carol Deckert’s - Business Networking and Relationship Building Skype Room as long as your behavior is professional and non-threatening.  

EVERY new person entering this room MUST introduce themselves by their first and last name.  It is difficult to get to know someone only by their aliases.  Your introductions can and should  include information about your business, how long you have worked in this particular industry, what you specifically do and may also include generic facts like whether or not you are married or single (if you choose to divulge this info), number of children, grandchildren, and the general area in which you live (for example, I’m married, have 3 children, 5 grandchildren and I live in SouthCentral PA in the USA (EST).  Anyone that does not introduce themselves, may very easily find themselves banned from returning to this room!

Introductions should be posted immediately upon joining the room - please begin your post like this:

INTRO: My name is . . .  Include your URLS for websites and blogs for others to read and review. 

As new people enter the room, would someone please greet the new person and tell them about the room guidelines?  As others join in, questions will naturally flow -  and we will learn more about what they are looking for.  If you would like to invite your friends and associates, please use this URL  http://www.runlancaster.com/skype-room/networking

SPECIAL EVENT DAYS:
Mondays:  Post the link to your blog and tell us what’s happening - do you need help with promoting it, ask us to post a Tweet, post in FB, etc.

Wednesdays:  Introduction Day for everyone

Fridays:  Self-promotion Day - post your ads, post your news, etc.

As discussion topics are posted, please don’t lurk - I really invite your participation, including your likes/dislikes.

Announcements for all events should be posted in the Announcement Skype Room to avoid posting in every Skype Room.

Please use this room for sharing experiences, asking for help, sharing resources and links and business-type information.  As we begin to build relationships, we should be focused on listening to what others say about how they do business, why they do business and what they do to solve their client’s pain and/or frustration.  Building professional relationships does include learning something about the person’s background and life experiences, but does NOT need to include statements about their health, what they ate for lunch, dinner, etc. or where they went over the weekend. 

Not to sound harsh, but general chit-chat of a personal nature should be done between two or more individuals in their private Skype rooms.  Keep this room available so that valuable shared resources and links do not get lost in the midst of conversations.  Of course, good morning, evening, etc., how are you today is perfectly acceptable.  It’s those personal details that we want to avoid - details that are not necessary in a public forum.

If you want to temporarily leave this chat, please close the room with large “X” - DO NOT LEAVE BY CLICKING ON “LEAVE CHAT” button - if you do, someone will have to manually add you back to the room.

Networking with the use of Skype Rooms is becoming very popular.  Skype is a service that allows you to talk computer-to-computer for free, anywhere in the world!  If you would like to begin using Skype, download the software at http://www.skype.com - it only takes a few minutes to download and you can begin searching your contacts for those who already have Skype IDs.  Conduct a private one-on-one conversation or network with all the people that are logged into the room.  You can usually find someone in each of the rooms, no matter when you check in, since all the people involved live in different time zones.  There are many rooms that are focused on a particular topic.  Today I would like to share a few of them with you.

If you want to learn more about using Skype, check out Julie Wolf’s tips for using Skype Rooms at http://www.incomeassurance.com/skype-room .  Julie is our resident Skype Expert and will help you find the best ways to utilize Skype as you develop all your sales funnels to grow your business.

If you are interested in discovering how your can monetize and develop your passion, visit Katherine Reschke’s Skype Room at http://passionsthatpay.com/skype-room .  Katherine is an excellent coach and is a great brainstorming and accountability partner!  There are a lot of awesome people that hang out in this room, all willing to share their knowledge and expertise with one another!  Stop by and meet them! Read the rest of this entry »