I Shot a Video For You During Hockey Practice

I am so excited about my upcoming video course that I couldn't wait until all of the I's were dotted and T's crossed, so here it is! (Sorry about all the background noise...ice rinks are loud!)




Yes, that's my son in net in the background of the video!

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The Secret Levels of Networking

When people think of networking, typically they think about people going to chamber mixers and trying to find clients. This fairly narrow definition of networking is, I think, one of the main reasons people get frustrated and give up. This may be your experience too.

Recently something Alexandria Brown (the Ezine Queen) mentioned something in a teleclass that hit me - probably because I was NOT wearing my "expert hat" at the time. She said something like - "If you don't like your results when networking - change the networking you are doing"

This led to my "discovery" of the secret levels of networking.

Level One: Hanging out where your clients are and looking for new business

This is typically the chamber or another kind of party or mixer.n This gains you visibility and perhaps credibility (if you are a stellar networker). You can connect to people who might know clients for you and you might be able to rustle up a speaking gig if you make the right connection.

Upside - These are typically informal meetings and don't require a strong commitment on your part. If you have family or a busy unpredictable schedule this can be a great way to get out and meet people.

Downside - Because of its informal structure, these can typically become social only events. You're more likely to run into the pushy sales guy who hands his card to everyone he meets, people are less likely to have their "business hats" on, and sometimes - just sometimes the raffle takes more time than the time allotted for networking. Fun if you win - not fun if you don't (and are standing too near the giant amplified speaker- ouch!)

Level Two: Hanging out where clients and people who know your clients are but in a structured environment

This is a business meeting such as the one BNI or LeTip or B2B offers. Here you are expected to try to find business for fellow members, participate in the group and usually in return receive some business.

Upside - If you approach these kinds of meetings with the intention to stay in "for the long haul" - usually at least a year you will become part of the community, establish wonderful relationships with people and become a resource for your clients. I've seen businesses get 10 to 90 percent of their annual revenue from such groups depending upon the type of business they have

Downside - It's a fairly big commitment - typically weekly or at least monthly. It can feel pricey at first because you will be giving much more than you get - trying out other people's services, paying meeting fees etc. This would not be the kind of group to start with if you need cashflow right now - unless the group has a resource for business loans or a cashflow expert.

Level Three: Hanging out where people who know lots of your clients do

You can actually use the groups in Level Two to accomplish Level Three if you shift your thinking and remember to ASK for strategic alliance partners where you're networking here. Level three also includes giving talks or workshops to groups of your strategic partners, (and/or offering informational products for sale - for more information about informational products, see the audio recording links below). It would also be why you might join a service organization or participate in an on line group such as yahoo. If you're going to do the yahoo thing join groups that you are genuinely interested in and participate in the conversations.

Upside - This is much less effort that trying to find clients one at a time and trying to find strategic partners one at a time. This kind of strategy begins to place you in the position of "expert" in your line of work and helps you with your professional image in the community.

Downside - You need to be "on" at all times. Dressing appropriately and behaving appropriately for the situation is key. You'll destroy your reputation as quickly as you built if if you're not aware of who you're "showing up" at these events. Remember - word of mouth marketing is always working - however it may NOT be working in your favor!

Level Four: Hanging out where people who understand the power of a strategic alliance are actively seeking out strategic partners

This is my absolute favorite. This is participating in education and classes with people who do business with the kinds of clients you have and may or not do what you do. For example, I participated in a program that lasted about a year. While I am not longer in the program, I still have relationships with several of the participants. Because we "are on the same page" and understand each others goals very well, it is natural for us to form strategic alliances. Any time you participate in educational situations - whether they are live seminars, teleseminars, workshops or classes you have this opportunity. Remember everything you do is a networking opportunity.

Upside - Everyone is on the "same page" with you and forming alliance with people you've been though training with feels effortless. Often times in business seminars, the trainer spends time encouraging strategic alliances, so attendees are actively looking for this kind of opportunity.

Downside - You need to be willing to participate in the training. If you go with the sole intention of networking and making connections, you'll waste a great opportunity for self growth and it will be obvious why you're there!

Bottom line - you could apply all four of the "secret levels of networking" to any situation. Just remember when you're out there doing that, stick to the problems you solve for people and focus on who you're looking for. You'll be sure to be a networking ninja in no time!

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Networking Expert, Karen Frank publishes Networking News, a semi-monthly newsletter devoted to helping you avoid marketing disasters and networking faux pas. Get the home study course "The Seven Deadly Sins of Networking
and How to Avoid them" Free when you sign up for Networking News at www.7deadlysinsofnetworking.com