This ain't your father's networking

Thanks to our FPCs (Friends of The Promo Code), we're fortunate to present real-life insight into the real time-consuming world of networking.

First, Larry Melnick, who knows everybody.  The owner of Hunter Business Development, Larry coaches advertising and marketing services firms on the finer points of reaching out.  In his own words...

Business networking today is certainly different from generations past. Then, it meant getting out of the office once in a while to a lunch with other like-minded individuals. In addition to wondering about the presentation and presenter and trying to remember your elevator pitch, the big question was what kind of bad chicken they’d be serving.

Today, you don’t even have to leave your office and the opportunity to network is happening almost 24/7. Still, as much as networking has changed most of the core principles remain. Here are some tips for better connecting in today’s social environment

1. Be transparent – Don’t mask. This includes things like having a photograph on your LinkedIn profile and correspondence (invitations and inmails). Without transparency, there is no trust. Just ask Manti Te’o.
2. Communicate your intentions – Don’t ever just send LinkedIn’s default invitation. That’s like walking up to a stranger at a live networking event and saying, “I’m (insert your name) and I'd like to add you to my professional network” and nothing more. Identify yourself upfront (see #1) and give them a meaningful reason(s) from their perspective about why it makes sense to connect. If you can’t come up with at least one that’s meaningful, don’t waste your time (or theirs).
3. Give first – be generous in what you share (insights and content) and then you shall receive.
4. Quality trumps quantity - otherwise, it's just blah-blah-blah-blah-blah.
5. Less push and more pull – Adjust your mindset to increase ‘helping’ and decrease ‘selling’
6. Get involved in other conversations – look to contribute to other discussions. Jump in to the conversation, “like” and/or share.
7. Take a stand – Don’t be shy about expressing your point of view. At the same time, be respectful.
8. Be consistent – Establish a realistic pace for networking that’s comfortable for you and stay with it.
9. Be patient – Relationships develop from trust that’s typically developed over time. Rush trust and you risk breaking it.

Want to learn more about better connecting? http://hunterbizdev.com/approach/

And then there's Marty Iker, of MI Creative Group. http://ikercreative.com

A veteran entertainment marketer, Marty outlines five things you must keep in mind while networking.  Heed his words, for he is wise:

•Networking is a two-way street: give as good as you get.

•Networking is a proactive process—you’ve got to keep the pump primed or you’ll come up dry when you need help the most.

•Be nice to everyone. You never know where they will end up, and if they think highly of you, where you’ll end up.

•Don’t just think of networking as a career resource. It is also very useful as a creative, collaborative and strategic (or problem-solving) resource.

•LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media play an important role in networking and can really expand it, but don’t stop there. Nothing is more effective than meeting people face to face at industry events and keeping in touch with them over the phone.
  

And now that we all know that networking is extremely personal... I say it's time for a party at Larry's house... and an after-party at Marty's!

-Ed 

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