Networking Insight

Video Interview of Kay Luo from LinkedIn

In a prior post, LinkedIn Tips to Boost Your Usage, I shared with you some of what I learned about LinkedIn after my conversation with Kay Luo, who is the Director of Corporate Communications at LinkedIn.  Kay was in Chicago because LinkedIn was a sponsor of TECH Cocktail.

Around the same time, Kay was also video interviewed by BusinessPOV. Check out the inteview below. One of the great aspects of this interview is that Kay visual shows you some of LinkedIn's features:

Video Interview: A Closer Look at LinkedIn: Tips and Tools for the Business Networking Site

Feel Good Story about Online Networking

I just came across this great story about how an online community came together to raise funds to help one of its member recover from a family tragedy.  The story can be found at  Online Business Networking Communities Raise Funds to Help Fellow Member Recover from Disaster.

The story explains how a woman tragically lost her son and home in a fire.  To help her to rebuild her life, her online networking community, BoldBizBabes, has put together an online fundraising mechanism.

It is great to hear stories like this that show how a community sticks together.  This is one of the powerful aspects of building relationships online. 

Do you have any good stories to share about online networking?

The Secret to Building Great Relationships - Secret 5 of 5

The fifth secret that I want to share is: Always Think of Others First.  To recap, the previous four secrets are: Be Genuine, Be Proactive, Be Over the Top, Brand Brand Brand.

In order for you to build solid relationships, you have to be willing to think of others first.  You don't want to be perceived as someone who only cares about yourself.  That is not the image to portray with anyone.  When you meet people for the first time, you should find out how you can help them before you ask for anything. 

Don't ever try to sell them your business right away. This is an immediate turnoff and won't get you far.  We all have stories of people selling us too hard at networking events.  These people give networking a bad name.

In fact, I prefer to use the term "relationship building" over "networking" because that is essentially what we are trying to do.  "Networking" is too vague.  Many people don't know what it really means.

Anyways, you should be thinking of others on a continual basis.  Think of ways to connect with people by sending them articles, referrals, event invitations, relevant stories, etc.  People will appreciate your kindness.

Keep in mind that people will remember what you have done.  While you may not see any immediate favors in return, it will happen.  Trust me.  You will have built your brand, which is far more important over time than getting help right away.

The Secret to Building Great Relationships - Secret 4 of 5

As a recap, the first three secrets are: Secret 1: Be Genuine, Secret 2:  Be Proactive, and Secret 3: Be Over the Top.

Secret 4, which is equally important is Brand Brand Brand.

What I mean by this is that all of your efforts of secrets 1-3 will not be as effective and last over the long run if you don't personally brand yourself.  People need to remember you so you need to stand out and become memorable!

You want people to remember you, not your company, for your expertise, skills, and interests.  The key here is that people should remember you more than they will remember what company you work for.  In order for this to happen, it takes a lot of hard work and persistence.  If you utilize secrets 1-3 effectively, you will automatically brand yourself. That is the beauty of it! 

Of course, you need to really work on your own branding to make it sustainable.  Spend some time thinking about a subject that you are an expert about.  Make that subject your own and start letting people know that you are an expert. Examples of subjects are: Internet marketing, business networking, cold calling, digital cameras.  It doesn't have to all be about business.  Pick something you are passionate about and have fun.   

Here are few ways to let the world know about your expertise:

• Speak to groups about your subject
• Write articles in local newspapers or magazines
• Write a book
• Create a blog
• Distribute an email newsletter

Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you are consistent and persistent with your techniques.  You need to hammer it home to people that you are the expert.  Over time, they will come to realize this and will then come to you for your knowledge. It is a wonderful feeling when people approach you because they consider you a valuable resource. 

For example, I have spent many years of hard work and consistency in my efforts to personally brand myself around relationship building.  Techniques that I have used and still use include: speaking to groups, hosting my own event - Great Chicago Networking Extravaganza, creating an email newsletter - "Network Your Way to Success", developing a personal Website - Jacobsohn.com, and authoring my blog - Networking Insight.

If you are serious about your brand, which you should, then make the effort.  In networking, it is too easy to get lost in the crowd so you need to be proactive and make sure that you stand above the pack and be heard.  Some of the most well-known people in the business community are known more for their brand than their companies including Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Jeffrey Gitomer, and Steve Jobs.

What are you doing right now to promote your brand? What could you be doing better?

The Secret to Building Great Relationships - Secret 3 of 5

The first two secrets that I revealed are Be Genuine and Be Proactive.  These two posts focus on behaviors that you need to adopt in order for networking to work effectively for you.  The third secret emphasizes more on your mindset of wanting to help people. With that said:  Secret #3 = Be Over the Top.

With this secret, you need to WOW people by going above and beyond the call of duty.  When someone needs help, take this as an opportunity to shine.   If you have the resources and knowledge to help, then take the time to assist.  Instead of doing the bare minimum, do more than was asked or promised.  People will appreciate the extra help and you will elevate yourself in their minds and circles. 

In addition to going above the call of duty to help people, do the same thing for your own branding initiatives.  Make the effort to really get yourself known so spend the time making yourself come across as very professional.  Ways to do this are:

1. Write thank you notes very frequently on personalized letter head
2. Create a very polished newsletter, blog, or Website to demonstrate your expertise
3. Constantly connect people together
4. Host your own event
5. Always provide a takeaway for people who approach you for help

You want people to notice you so performing at a higher level than most people will work.  With hard work and dedication, you can WOW people. Over time, your personal brand will significantly improve.

The Secret to Building Great Relationships - Secret 2 of 5

In my prior post, The Secret to Building Great Relationships, I revealed that one of the secrets is to Be Genuine.  While being genuine is the foundation for building great relationships, several other secrets do exist that if followed will help you to build solid and long-lasting relationships. Therefore, I have decided to share four more of these additional secrets in my next several articles.

Secret #2 - Be Proactive

In order for you to get yourself in front of people and to connect, you can't sit by and wait for something to happen.  Nothing happens to people who let life pass them by.   It is so important that you are proactive and reach out to people.  So, what does this mean?  You need to put yourself in situations to meet people so go to networking events, business conferences, charity events, social events, etc.  It doesn't matter what you decide to do, just surround yourself with people.

Secondly, take the time to get involved with a business or charitable organization by taking on a leadership role.  With this kind of involvement, you will build some great relationships because you will connect on a deeper level by working together with others on the same cause.  Some of the best relationships are built this way.

Thirdly, take the time to brand yourself so people know who you are in your industry or business circles.  You can do this by branding yourself around a particular topic of your expertise.  Share this information with people by speaking, writing, or providing resources.  Over time, you will be seen as the expert and people will come to you, which is a wonderful thing.

Lastly, continuously get together with people for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks.  You need to connect face to face with people on a regular basis.  So, you should make the first move and invite people to get together. Make it a point to set up one new meeting once a week with new or established contacts. You will be happy that you did this because you will stay connected.

The above strategies are ones that you can implement immediately.  If done properly, then you should see a dramatic improvement in your relationship building.  Have patience because it takes time.

The Secret to Building Great Relationships

The measurement of success for networkers is the strength of their relationships.  With strong relationships, you will see action if you are proactive.  Results will be seen how ever you measure success such as enhancing your business, improving your life, and or adding new people to your network.

Strong Relationship = Action = Results

So, what is the secret to building great relationships?

The answer is BE GENUINE!

Be Genuine

In order to truly build good relationships, people have to first like you.  One easy way to get people to like you is to be genuine or nice at all times.  Don't fake being nice because people will see through this tactic.

Part of being genuine is offering to help others.  As I am sure that you have been told before, you need to help others before you ask for help. Well, this is so true that you will find that you will be helping others way more than you asking for help.  This is okay because you shouldn't keep tabs.

Just be yourself around people and you will start to build excellent relationships.  Treat people with respect at all times. Get to know people on a personal level.

So, remember BE GENUINE and the relationships will follow.

How to Avoid Embarrassing Yourself as the Host

One of the better techniques to build relationships and manage your own network is to host your own events.  Hosting your own event is an awesome opportunity for you to get in front of your network, introduce people, and to expand your relationships. 

While I advocate that you host your event, make sure that don't embarrass yourself by doing a poor job.  In fact, I think that you should start small with a less formal gathering such as organizing a MeetUp, which is online tool that helps you put together groups of people with similar interests.

To host your own event, try to avoid the following, which can lead to embarrassment:

1. Good Signage - No matter how small or large your event is, make sure that you have adequate signage so people know where to gather. This is especially important if people show up before you get there.  Make sure that you work with the venue to provide signage before you get there.

2.  Act at the Host - Since this is your gathering, act like it by greeting people.  In addition, you should not forget to introduce people together.  Good hosts are expected to do this.

3.  Communicate Clearly - Make sure that at all times, you communicate with people about the event details. Don't wait until last.  You want to show people that you are professional and organized.

What other suggestions do you have based on your experience?

Have a BBQ with Your Neighbors

In a prior post, Get to Your Know Neighbor, I mentioned that it is important to get to know those living around you.  Some of the best relationships that you will build will be with your neighbors.  This is true because 1) you will see them on a regular basis and 2) you will have a lot in common such as kids, commuting to work, lawn care, etc.  My point is that you should spend enough time getting to know your neighbors.

So, get to know them by inviting them over for a BBQ.  Reach out to the neighbors who you know and don't know.   A BBQ is an excellent technique to get to know your neighbors in a relaxed environment and it shows that you are hospitable.

On the flip side, if a neighbor invites you over for a BBQ, then make an effort to come.  It is important that you show respect for people's hospitality.  Of course, it is challenging to do everything, however, do your best to be around.

Part of relationship building is getting in front of people so hosting your own BBQ is a great step.  Other great ideas for getting to know your neighbors include:

• Have a community garage sale
• Make a play date with the kids
• Go out to dinner with different neighbors
• Watch fireworks together

This is just a small list of things that you can do.  What other techniques do you use to get to know your neighbors?

Don't Leave Home Without a Gift!

Whenever people invite you over for dinner or to see their new house, it is customary to bring a gift such as a bottle of wine.  It should be a given to bring something to a dinner party. However, people sometimes need reminding. No matter how close you are to the people who have invited you, it is a good habit to bring something.  The last thing that you want to portray is that you don't have any manners.

Even if people tell you that you shouldn't have brought anything, you are still better off that you brought a gift. You can never go wrong by being friendly. 

At the same time, you should always bring a gift to people if you are visiting their house for the first time.  If they have kids, then bring a gift for the kids and not the adults. The point is that you need to be thoughtful and show that you are thinking of others.

Tonight a friend of mine came over for dinner. He brought two gifts, one for each of my daughters. It was very thoughtful of him and much appreciated.  I was impressed and it showed me that he is a very genuine person.  In order to build relationships effectively, you need to be the type of person that is nice to be around and one that thinks of others first.