Networking For Nice People

Do you remember John Hughes’ movies from the 1980s and 1990s? The plot often included two best friends seeking love from impossible partners. SPOILER ALERT. The climax of the films often resulted in the two friends realizing it was each other who they loved all along. I love a happy ending too.

For the last year, I have bounced around a bunch of different topics to write about and explore. The subjects include: relationships, personal branding, entrepreneurship, social media, content marketing, creativity, and all of these things come back to one main passion - networking. You know I hate cheesy networking tactics and events. I believe in the true power of connection as a result of networking well - as nice people.

It has been three years since my book, New Business Networking, came out. I continue to speak and train people on how to become better networkers. We all need networking in our lives.

If you have a fledgling start-up and you need customers or investors… you need networking.
If you are a student (or parent of a student) trying to jumpstart your career… you need networking.
If you are a professional who is seeking a career change or reinvention… you need networking.
If you are between jobs after a layoff… you need networking.

INTRODUCING NETWORKING FOR NICE PEOPLE

One of my goals for 2017 is to build a brand new community around the topic of networking called Networking For Nice People. I have written a manifesto about what networking means to me. I invite you to come and take a look. You will also find a new email newsletter to send you one quick and valuable networking tip each Monday and Friday. Drop over now to check it out.

10 Conference Networking Tips

Networking isn’t just something you do during a conference. It is a process you must take part in before, during, and after the conference.

Effective networking leads to new business opportunities and new relationships. As I wrote in my book, New Business Networking, networking is paramount to your career and business.

10 Tips to Network Like a Pro at a Conference

1. Practice your elevator pitch

Practice your elevator pitch before you go. Who are you? What do you do? Why are you attending this conference?

You will be asked these questions, so rehearsing your answers ahead of time will help you prepare your thoughts. Plus, you might discover another reason why you are attending that you hadn’t considered.

2. Show up early

Try to get to the conference early, and stand near the registration table, entrance, or food area. These are the places where people congregate.

When you first arrive, solo attendees will especially be seeking a friendly connection. Don’t let them become wallflowers.

Also, consider approaching sponsors and introducing yourself. A casual conversation with a conference sponsor led to my book deal.

3. Express interest in others

Be more interested in other people than yourself.

4. Ask questions

Ask questions, and actively listen to the answers. Use eye contact and body language to show you are listening.

5. Talk to strangers

Forget what your parents taught you. Everyone is there for a similar reason. You are all sharing the same experience. A good icebreaker is to ask someone what they thought of a particular speaker or who was their favorite speaker of the day.

6. Be personable

Use a person’s first name several times as you are speaking to help you remember it.

7. Take notes

Take notes on a person’s business card about your conversation to refer to later. Can you help this person? Who should you introduce them to? Don’t forget to bring your cards, too.

8. Keep it fresh

Things can get stale during conferences. Bring mints and gum to keep your breath fresh.

9. Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water, and go easy on the alcohol.

10. Stay connected

Follow up with each person you meet after the conference. Staying in touch is a crucial part of networking.

Follow up with a pleasant email, remind them what you spoke about, offer them a link to an interesting article, connect on LinkedIn, or schedule a “no agenda” coffee meeting.

Use my tips, and I guarantee you will have an amazing time at your next conference. Do you have your conference networking tip? Please leave a comment. 

Photo from Flickr by Cydcor

Earn Respect With These Two Words

There are two precious resources all entrepreneurs swear by: time and money. With less time, we earn less money. When you work for yourself as a solo-practitioner or solopreneur, time is even more precious because you don't have a staff to assist you. Every hour should be accounted for in your workweek.

About six years ago, a close friend started his own business. We used to work together, but he decided to depart to start his own company. Our friendship faded because he could never commit to getting together for a coffee, lunch, or beer, like he used to. I couldn't understand this, but I understood once I started my company, Futureforth.

When you earn a paycheck you have more free time to socialize. When you work for yourself, you must consider whether that time will amount to new clients, customers, or something to benefit your fledging business. Yes, obviously we all need to fit in social time, but you won't grow your business if you are spending all of your time socializing. You also must beware of complacency when business is booming, all businesses have ups and downs.

I now get a little frustrated when I join someone for a coffee meeting only to learn that it is a social call and not something work related. Don't get me wrong, I love to socialize, but when I am seeking new clients, I must focus my time on business development and not casual coffee chatter. Free time is an oxymoron to an entrepreneur.

No Agenda

I recently set up a coffee meeting with an acquaintance I admire. He spends much of his time traveling for his business. He was home from London, but about to depart to New York in just a few days. Before he was back from London, I had reached out to ask him if he would like to join me for a coffee. In the email, I included two important words: no agenda.

Had I not used the words "no agenda", he might have anticipated my meeting request would lead to new work, or some form of professional collaboration. He might have ended up feeling disappointed, or worse, annoyed. I wouldn't blame him.

Time is a precious resource. During his few days between traveling, he probably had work to do and family to spend time with. Using "no agenda" told him that this was indeed a casual coffee meeting invitation, nothing more.

I believe that when planning social calls with fellow entrepreneurs we should add "no agenda". This lets the recipient know that this is strictly a casual meeting. I am writing this now because the gentleman pointed out how much he had appreciated my use of "no agenda". He knew from those two words that our meeting would strictly be a social call. I wasn't selling anything or buying anything. This was just an opportunity to chat and catch up with someone I admire.

Rather than risk disappointing or annoying your network, be clear on why you wish to meet with them in the first place. Respect their time and they will respect you. If there is a business opportunity to discuss, let them know. If it is just a friendly, catch-up coffee meeting use "no agenda".

This article originally appeared in The Tennessean Newspaper. Photo from Flickr by Pascal Maramis. 

VIDEO: Geeks University: Networking Tips

I'm a big proponent of ethical, good-natured, non-douchey networking. I even wrote a book about networking, and my keynote presentation is all about the topic too. 

I had the great pleasure of catching up with an old friend yesterday, while we streamed live video on Facebook (video below). Luria Petruci is an early technology adopter and innovative talented video host. She once went by the name Cali Lewis and ran GeekBrief TV. I still remember when she interviewed me at Mac World in 2009. Her energy and honesty shined through her work as much then as it does now. We kept in touch via Twitter over the years and ran into each other from time to time in-person at CES.  

Networking isn't just about establishing relationships. It's about keeping in touch and looking for ways to help the other person. 

In our conversation, we spoke about the importance of networking for your career and business. I shared tips on how to grow and nurture your network online and offline. It's pretty clear how excited I was to catch up and chat with Luria after so long. I hope you enjoy our conversation and learn a thing or two about networking.

If you want to learn more about creating online video, you should definitely check out Luria's courses at Geeks University. She has been doing web video for as long as there has been web video, she's truly a pro. 

The Biggest Business Lie

When I worked at that gas station, I had a regular customer who always cracked me up. He was an elderly man with a thick British accent. When he came in each week, I would ask him how he was. He would stare up into my eyes from his seat and give me a sly smile. 

"Do you have an hour? I am going to need about an hour or more to tell you how I am. It's a complicated question with a complex answer. I would love to tell you how I am. Will your boss mind if you slip away for sixty minutes to listen to me tell you how I am?" 

I would smile and awkwardly reply that I didn't think that would be possible. He would nod and explain that I should refrain from asking how he was doing if I didn’t really want to know the answer. I always laughed and appreciated his candor. 

The Business Rhetorical Question

The biggest business lie is the one you answer when someone asks you how your business is. I have heard this question hundreds of times at networking events and conferences. The answer we always hear is that business is great, we are very busy. It's a lie. 

The truth is that most people wouldn't attend networking events or conferences if business was booming. They attend to meet new people and hopefully land new business, and that's perfectly fine. That's part of what networking is all about.

I love Chris Brogan's take on the "busy" answer. He's not busy, he's blessed. 

Maybe the next time someone asks you how your business is you should be honest. Tell them you are seeking a new client. They may be able to provide you with an introduction, or perhaps they can hire you. Just don't take sixty minutes to answer their question.

Six must-know tips to work from home

Part of the purpose of this blog is for me to share things I have learned about being an entrepreneur who works alone. While I’m not a huge fan of the word “solopreneur,” it does encapsulate my work life. I also work from home, so if you do, too, this post is for you. 

Six tips for people who work from home - people like you. 

1. Your couch is dangerous.

Ella was sick, she was home from school with me for a few days recently. She spent the day on the couch watching tv, reading, and resting. I spent the day next to her on my computer. When she returned to school, I worked for two more days from the couch. My back was aching, and I felt much less productive. The couch is a symbol of laziness and procrastination. 

If you work from home, you must carve out your corner. Set up an ergonomic workspace that is distraction-free. Avoid the couch at all costs (unless it’s to console your sick kiddo). I’m back in my office now and feeling much better. 

2. Schedule time daily to use social media to connect with people.

I’ll be the first to admit that social media can distract from getting the work done. However, if you are genuinely being social, it’s not a bad place to pop into. If you work alone, you need interaction throughout your day. People need people. Allocate a little time through your day to log into Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to say hello. See what your friends are up to and meet some new people. Use an app like Freedom to switch off access to social networks when your time is up. 

3. Beware of the kitchen. 

When you work from home, your fridge is close - too close. Making snacks is a form of procrastination. Your kitchen equals lost time and gained weight. If you must stretch your legs (and you should), pop into your kitchen for a quick glass of water instead. Staying hydrated is essential, and your increased bathroom breaks will get you up for a stretch. 

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4. Stretch!

https://spinecenterbr.com/simple-stretches-to-relieve-back-pain/

Take breaks every hour to stretch. Reach for the sky, reach down to your toes, and get up! The best thing about working from home is nobody hears your grunts as you get into the downward dog position on the floor.  

5. Find a professional lunch or breakfast group you can join or start your own. 

Find a good group of professionals who you can network with. I wrote all about this in my book, New Business Networking. Getting out of your house to meet people is a positive way to spend some time each week or two. If you can’t find a group to join, consider starting your own. 

6. Reward yourself.

When you work for a decent company, rewards are given for meeting milestones. Do the same for yourself. Set your goals and get to them. If you meet your monthly goal, reward yourself with a movie or a hike. Do something for the fun of it because you deserve it. 

Working from home isn’t always easy. Staying productive is vital. Time is your most precious commodity and a terrible thing to waste.