Monday, November 22, 2010

Why Me? (My #1 LinkedIn Pet Peeve)


If you’re like me, a fairly active LinkedIn member, you receive a few link requests a week, often from people you don’t know. Most likely, those requests are accompanied my LinkedIn’s generic “I would like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.”

That’s nice. But why?

I don’t know about you, but I love business and businesspeople of any kind. That’s why I do what I do at The Power Lunch Project - connecting people with others to network - and, as such, I like to know what people do, maybe even why they do it, and how I can help them. That’s why they must be trying to link with me in the first place, right? And besides, if you give me a little more info then the uncreative and uninspiring “I want to add you to my professionals network on LinkedIn”, I am more likely to remember you and be able to connect you with people!

I imagine it’s that way for most other people that you try to connect with on LinkedIn.

So having said that, here are my suggestions for a memorable LinkedIn request:

• Tell ‘em what you do (and maybe toot your horn a little) – “Hey Sara! I’m the best widget salesman this side of the Mississippi! Let’s link!”

• Tell ‘em you think they’re cool – “Sara – I read your article about ‘Desperate Networking.’ I thought it was great! Let’s connect.”

• Tell ‘em what you need – “Hi Sara! I’m starting a new business and am just getting into the networking game. Can you give me some suggestions on effective networking?”

• Tell ‘em what a small world it is – “ Sara! I grew up in Harrisburg too – good times! Will you add me – perhaps we have some mutual acquaintances!”

• Do any combination of the above, but please – no more “I would like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn”! Ugh!

Obviously, the point in all of this – and even linking at all – is to get a conversation going, find some common ground and well….NETWORK! (In my humble opinion, anyway.) It doesn’t have to be a whole mission statement– 3 or 4 sentences usually suffice! You can also use it over and over again, tweaking it as needed, depending upon the connection you are requesting.

And trust me – 90% of the users on LinkedIn are using the generic line – you WILL be noticed if you do something a little more creative!

Tell us your LinkedIn request line below to inspire others – and maybe you’ll find some great networking partners, too!



~The Power Lunch Project
Eat. Drink. NETWORK!
http://www.ThePowerLunchProject.com

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

YOU + Business Networking Partner = Match Made in Business Heaven!

Every business person needs some great networking partners to help them build mutually beneficial business relationships – and if you are a regular reader of these articles, you already know that the important word in the above sentence is “mutually”! That’s right! Relationships - business, personal or otherwise – require a measure of give and take and commitment, but the pay-offs can be priceless!

The a networking partner is, essentially, a professional with whom you can join forces to create a strong bu

siness relationship, often passing referrals back and forth, and help each other grow.

Here’s how my business networking partner “Want Ad” reads:

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ISO enthusiastic networking partner. Must possess the following:

PASSION – We all want to work with people who love what they do – their enthusiasm can be infectious and give you the boost you need on those days that you aren’t really feeling it. It also makes it easier for

you to refer someone who is passionate about their business to others and chances are, such a networking partner will energetically talk about your company as well and get others excited to do business with you.

GREAT LISTENING SKILLS – Make sure your potential partners have mastered the art of listening – to you, to their clients, and to those they refer to you. Be sure you are clear about the types of people that make a good lead for you, and of course, be a good listener in return!

GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS – Communicate often and meaningfully with your networking partners and ask them to do the same. You both will want to stay updated on what the other is doing, in order to make relevant referrals. Make it a point to schedule face-to-face time every few weeks. This helps cement the business relationship and makes it more likely for referrals to be passed on both sides!

WILLING TO SHARE – There is no room for being selfish in networking – otherwise, it’s not networking! Make sure the professionals you want to network with are willing to pass your name along when it makes sense to do so and make sure you are also willing to do the same.

SOMETHING IN COMMON – more specifically, clients. Networking partnerships work best, and are most efficient, when the clientele that you market to is similar and that you can offer complimentary services. This allows each of you to be a resource for the other’s clients, thereby making it easy to pass referrals back and forth. An obvious example of this is a CPA/financial advisor relationship. It is also OK to think outside of the box– find professionals who aren’t in obviously complimentary professions to partner up with and see if you can somehow share networking resources. Also, having a hobby outside of work that you share with your networking partner, or a shared favorite sports team or volunteer activity, can go a long way giving you something other than business to talk about and will help create a bond.

“GET IT” – If a professional that you have set your sights upon to be your next great networking partner shows signs of not understanding how real business networking works – perhaps they seem more interested in the “quick sale” (i.e., the equivalent of the business networking one-night stand) – move on! There are better fish in the sea!

Please be willing to make a long-term commitment to a mutually beneficial business relationship!

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It should go without saying that you should be prepared to provide the same level of commitment to your networking partners!

Too bad there’s no eHarmony for networking partners, right? But guess what? The Power Lunch Project is the next best thing! (Yes, that was the shameless plug!) Our job is to set you up with great networking partners who “get” it and to facilitate business relationships truly made in business “heaven”! Check us out at http://www.ThePowerLunchProject.com to see how we do it and to see what some of our 85+ Philadelphia area members are saying about TPLP! New York professionals – we are taking applications from you, too!

What do you look for in a great networking partner, and with whom would you like to network?

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Desperate Times Do Not Call for Desperate Networking

A colleague, who is trying to get a networking group off the ground, called me this week lamenting, with great frustration, the fact that people “just don’t know how to network!!”

I tend to agree.

But given that, even in good economic times, one is hard pressed to find professionals who really “get” the give and take, long term nature of real business networking, I think the issue is compounded by the simple fact that for many, well…… business kinda sucks right now. That desperation leads to desperate networking.

Don’t let this happen to you! Here are a few good ways to avoiding being that Desperate Networker:

• Go for the Right Reasons – No one goes to a networking event to buy anything. Let me say that again, because it’s important. NO ONE GOES TO A NETWORKING EVENT TO BUY ANYTHING! I promise! Make sure you’re not going to sell anything! Instead, go to NETWORK…(which is a great segway to my next point!)


• Know the Difference – Networking is not selling! Networking is the conscience decision to commit to a long term business relationship of give and take. It’s helping your networking partner as much as yourself. It’s not passing out a bunch of business cards and then never contacting anyone you have met again.

• Listen – You learn a lot when you listen to other people! You learn how to help them, with whom to put them in contact, and if they might be a great networking partner for you. Your mother told you why you have two ears and one mouth – a networking event is a great time to employ her sage advice!


• F/U – Those of you who are members of The Power Lunch Project or who have attended TPLP events know that I say it at every event. If you don’t plan on following up, don’t bother showing up! After an event, don’t forget to drop an email to the new contacts you have made. Reintroduce yourself. Ask for a lunch or coffee networking session from those you feel would make good networking partners. Offer to introduce your contact to people you know who might be able to help them. Stay in contact often and meaningfully, without being annoying!


Yes, things are tough out there, but desperate networking is counterproductive to the growth of you business.

And for those of you who would like to meet other professionals who “get” the business networking process, or you want to learn how to be a better networker, (here comes the plug!) check out The Power Lunch Project at http://www.ThePowerLunchProject! We will set you up to network over lunch or coffee with any number of our 70 networkers from a variety of business categories!

You may also want to check out The Power Lunch Project’s first annual Networking Boot Camp as well and get your networking skills up to snuff! Check it our here - http://networkingbootcamp2010.eventbrite.com

Please feel free to share your anti-desperate networking tips!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

It Ain’t All About You! (or The Best Mindset for Effective Business Networking)


That’s right! Business networking is not all about you or your business – at least not in the “networking event” stage of things. Honestly, most people you meet at a networking event don’t even care very much about what you do! (Really, they don’t!)



In fact, most people at a networking event care about what YOU can do for THEM. So why not use other professionals’ bad networking mindset to your advantage, by becoming a problem solver (and essentially, being a good networker!). Ask not what your potential networking partners can do for you – ask what you can do for them!

Here’s how:

• Ask the Right Questions – After the pleasantries of “What do you do?”, be sure to ask “Who can I put you in contact with?” and “How can I help you?”, then…..

• Listen – You can’t help anyone unless you truly listen to what their answers are to the above questions.

• Follow Up – After the event, make sure you do what you say you were going to do! If you promised to introduce someone to one of your associates, or make a phone call to schedule a lunch meeting – do so!

• Be Authentic – Don’t just connect, engage! Engagement = Nurturing = Great Networking Relationship! (For more about authentic networking, check out http://smartketingreflections.blogspot.com/search?q=atp)


How does helping others help you? Simple! You become an important resource and go-to person, which in turn builds up those business relationships that create the foundation for success – both yours and those you help!

*Shameless Plug for The Power Lunch Project Ahead!*

The Power Lunch Project can help set you up with networkers that understand and appreciate the correct mindset of business networking and are willing to assist others, as much as themselves! Check us out at http://www.ThePowerLunchProject.com for more information about how to participate!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Step Away from the Computer! (And Add Some Face-to-Face Networking to Your Life!)


Don’t get me wrong – LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other online social media that are available to businesspeople to get the word out about their product or service are amazing tools, especially when used effectively. However, every successful business person knows that, even today, NOTHING beats face-to-face networking to build a firm foundation of trusted relationships that keeps a steady stream of people buying whatever you are selling!


So commit to stepping away from your computer, getting out of the office and really connecting with people to grow your business (and spending some time with “real” people is healthy!), with these easy ideas:

1) Plan Ahead! – There are tons of networking events going on in any given month around the area. To get an overview, it is worth it to sign up for the Network in Philly newsletter. Pick a few networking events that look interesting – and to make it fun – grab a couple of your friends and go with a small group. Just make sure you follow up with all the new people that you meet after the event!

2) Do Lunch (or Coffee)! – Go through your list of LinkedIn connections and find a few that you have never met, but may be able to become a valuable networking partner (i.e. – you can help them, using your network of connections, and maybe they can help you). Invite them out for lunch or coffee and chat (don’t sell!). Then, if the business chemistry is right, commit to keeping in touch and……..following up! Doing this a few times a month can help you build your circle of “real life” connections and help you be an important resource within your own personal network of associates.

3) Do Your Own Thing! – Plan your own event or form your own informal business group that meets regularly. This will make you the point-person for dozens of people and give you and your business tons of exposure! It will also help you show off your leadership skills and put you in touch with others whom you know are interested in networking, too!

Business networking requires time and effort. Supplementing your online networking with a little real-life face-to-face time cements your information in the minds of those you actively make an effort to meet (provided you then consistently maintain the connection).

(Shameless plug for The Power Lunch Project ahead…)

The Power Lunch Project is here to help with all of your business networking endeavors (especially with #2 above!). Contact us and let us know the types of professionals that you want to network with!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

You Came. You Saw. You Networked. Now What?


Here’s the scenario:

You registered and attended any one of the networking events that you’ve seen going on in our area. You meet a lot of people. You pass out a lot of business cards. You have a drink and maybe a bite to eat. You talk to a few people. Then you go home and shuffle through the business cards you collected and wonder, “Now what?”



Do you know that research shows, on average, you need to meet with and stay in touch with a contact SEVERAL TIMES before that contact (or someone that contact knows) turns into a client or customer?

After a networking event, follow up is KEY! As an organizer of several networking events, and founder of The Power Lunch Project, I know that most networking event attendees fail to do this simple, yet important step.

There were a few large networking events in the Philadelphia area over the past week! If you were in attendance, today is a great day to take that extra step to begin to really build a strong business relationship with a new contact – but make sure it’s authentic!

Here are some ideas:

• Email each person you met at an event. Remind them of who you are and offer to help expand their network.

• Choose a few professionals who might be great networking partners for you. Write a handwritten note and request an informal lunch get together.

• Request a LinkedIn connection.

• Take decisive action to assist at least one new person that you have met at each event you attend! If you can help someone, either directly or indirectly, give them a call and let them know!

* Decide to introduce a new person that you met at every networking event to someone in your network that might make great networking partners for them.

• Contact the host – reintroduce yourself and remind them of what you do. Chances are the event host has a plethora of connections that may be helpful to you. Let them know what you need and offer to help them get the word about their next event.

Remember – networking is NOT selling - it’s taking the time and the effort to build meaningful business relationships that go beyond a two minute conversation at a networking event! Be prepared to not just receive, but to give as well!