Episode #40: Networking 101

Episode #40: Networking 101

In this podcast, I share with you my process for networking. Whether you are a natural at networking or frightened when you hear the word, this podcast will help you. The notes to the lesson are at the bottom of this post. Listen here:

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Notes: 

Get a Vision for the Value of Networking!

“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” -Charles Jones

“I like to define networking as cultivating mutually beneficial, give-and-take, win-win relationships… The end result may be to develop a large and diverse group of people who will gladly and continually refer a lot of business to us, while we do the same for them.” –Bob Burg

You never know what God could do with 1 connection you make!

How do you network?

1.) SHOW UP PLACES: Get involved with as many groups and networking events as you can and work that network!

95% of success is showing up!

Examples of networking clubs and events to go to:

•  Toastmasters
•  Pittsburgh Rotary
•  Church
•  Leadership groups
•  Networking events
•  Chambers of Commerce

Ask people where to network!

• Go consistently – Make a goal of meeting 1 person each week
• Get Involved – Step into a position of leadership…
• If it’s a one time meeting, try to work the room! Push through the awkwardness! **Have a goal of how many cards you can get!

When you’re at the meeting:
2.) Be Bold, Act as if, Make People feel Comfortable 

95% of people on the planet are insecure, if you’ll be secure and confident, they’ll follow you!

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

3.) Ask People a lot of questions 

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you. – Dale Carnegie

 4.) Determine if this is someone you’d like to connect with outside of the meeting!

5.) Ask for their Card and be Prepared to give them yours!

6.) Follow-up with them and Create a Next Step:

• 90% of people never follow up!

1.) E-mail/Phone Call
2.)Connect on LinkedIn

***Use Social Media to connect with and add value to people

7.) Get a meeting on the calendar:

**Listen to Making the Most of Mentoring Podcast

8.) When You Meet People who You want to Partner with in Someway – Serve them!

My Golden Rule of Networking is simple: Don’t keep score. -Harvey Mackay

“The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity.” -Keith Ferrazzi

“You can get everything you want in life, IF you just help enough other people get what they want first!” -Zig Ziglar

9.) Once You’ve Developed a Partnership/Friendship:

• Don’t Abuse it – Trust is sacred! 🙂
• Establish what the relationship is going to look like – Meet monthly? Check-in once in a while?
• What are the next steps?
• Add value to them as often as you can
• Ask them to partner when you need them . . . but try to partner with them more!
• If it’s been a while, check-in every couple months

Repeat this entire process over and over and over again and you’ll build the network you’ve always wanted to build and you’ll be blown away by who God brings into your network and what God allows you to be a part of through your network!

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