Networking Insight

3 Ways to Make Networking Fun (video)

3 Ways to Make Networking Fun

How Do You Stay Relevant with Your Network?

The more people who you meet that become part of your network the more difficult it is to stay in front of them.  In order to maintain your network, you need to find ways to stay relevant.  Below are some techniques to consider:

Email or Newsletter

Send out an email or newsletter on a regular basis so your name is continuously in front of your network. However, don’t just send anything out. Make sure that the content is valuable and interesting to people. 

Blog

Create your content by setting up a blog. Share your thoughts and respond to peoples’ comments so you have a two way communication.  Share your blog posts with your network.

Twitter

Become active with Twitter by tweeting content that is relevant several times every day.  Follow others in your network and re-tweet them, which shows that you are paying attention to them.

Website

Set up a personal Website that shows your expertise and provides valuable content.  Link all of your activities to this site so your network can go to one place to find what you are doing.

Speak

Find opportunities to speak about your subject matter expertise. Inform your network of these speaking opportunities so they may not only listen to you speak, but also they may see you as an expert.

Articles

In addition to a blog, find opportunities to write and publish articles in publications or blogs. By others accepting your articles, you are further demonstrating your expertise.

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed.

Business Networking Humor

Five Networking Tips for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a great time of the year to re-connect and build your relationship with family, friends, and colleague.  

Below are five networking tips to help you get the most out of Thanksgiving.

1. Wish people in your network a Happy Thanksgiving a couple of days before. Holidays are great reason to reach out to people in your network.  It is important to stay in front of others.

2. Get together with childhood friends while all of you are in the same town. With the long weekend, you should be able to find some time to see them.  Good way to reconnect and keep up with each other’s lives.

3. Spend time with your family to get to know them better. Take the time to learn what others in your family are doing professionally, especially the people who you don’t see much. You never know what synergies may exist.

4. Catch up with emails during the downtime. Shortly after Thanksgiving, go through your emails and respond to people. The extra time off should give you the extra push to get this done.

5. Have fun and clear your mind. Relax so you are refreshed for the following week. Every once in awhile, it is good to take a short break from business to re-motivate yourself.

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed

Chicago EFactor Workshop 12/3 - Jim Solomon & NFL QB Fran Tarkenton

EFactor Presents: Chicago Workshop with Jim Solomon, with special guest appearance: Fran Tarkenton
Have you ever been to a seminar or speaking engagement hoping to get personalized business advice only to leave with just general information? 

At this workshop that won't happen to you! Professor Jim Solomon, an adjunct professor at the University of Utah, and NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Fran Tarkenton, hated attending one size fits all seminars. No one leaves those events with personalized advice for their unique situation. What works for one business won't necessarily work for yours! 

Sensing a need for more unique business advice, Professor Jim and Fran Tarkenton put together this highly informative and personalized workshop for entrepreneurs in the Chicago area. You'll learn critical points of starting a business as well as marketing strategies and management advice. In addition, you'll get the chance to submit a 'Needs List' to Professor Jim. He will personally review your list and counselors will contact you with business ideas and advice.  

Event Details

December 3, 2011

8:30am-12pm

TechNexus, 200 S. Wacker, 15th Floor, Chicago

Cost: Early Bird $25, Regular $30 

For more information and to register, go to EFactor.

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed.

3 Ways to Find Potential Customers via LinkedIn by Jan Vermeiren

LinkedIn is a very powerful tool which doesn’t only help us to quickly find potential customers, but also the people we have in common with them. In other words: it is a magnificent help to get more referrals.

These are 3 (out of the 10) ways to find potential customers ànd the people who can refer you to them:

1. Use the Advanced Search option with parameters you have used to define your target group. Take into account there are several synonyms for the same function. For example: Marketing Director, Marcom Director, Marketing Manager,… Then look who you know in common and ask your contact to connect you with the prospect.

2. Browse through the Connections of your own contacts. Start with your current customers. Then do the same for your referral partners (sales people who sell another product or service than yours, but who have the same target group as you). If you have found a prospect, ask your contact to connect the two of you. 

3. Create “Alerts”. Alerts are searches you save and which are automatically run by LinkedIn. In this way you are automatically alerted when potential customers have become member of LinkedIn or who, after changing positions in their company, suddenly became member of your target group. In other words: transform LinkedIn into a lead generator!

1 Million Free Copies of “How to REALLY use LinkedIn”

More than 130 million people have a LinkedIn Profile. Most of them don't know what to do with it although it is a fantastic tool to find for example new customers, employees, partners, experts or a new job.

To help them Jan Vermeiren and Bert Verdonck are giving away 1 million copies of the second edition of their international bestseller "How to REALLY use LinkedIn".

You can download your copy at http://www.how-to-really-use-linkedin.com They are also raising 1 million dollar for charity. Look at their website for more details.

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed

 

Business Networking Humor

EFactor Presents: Angel Investing - The Inside Scoop

Below is information about an event that I am co-hosting with EFactor.

Angel Investing - The Inside Scoop

The hardest part of starting a new business is finding the money to fund it. You could turn to friends and family but at most you might be able to get a few thousand dollars. That’s not going to work and good luck getting a bank to loan you any money. Banks are notoriously stringent when it comes to small business loans. 41 percent of small business owners said they had trouble getting adequate financing in 2010 according to the National Small Business Association. 

Before you give up on your business idea you need to attend EFactor’s presentation on Angel Investing in Chicago. Angel Investors are generally affluent, retired entrepreneurs who provide capital for business start-ups just like yours. 

Keynotes

• Greg Grove - Much Shelist - Discussion about legal structure and terms of investing
• Michael Gruber - Independence Equity - Discussion about funding sources and pitching to investors

Investor Panelists

• Michael Gruber - Cornerstone Angels
• Karin O'Connor - Hyde Park Angels
• Ron Kirschner - Heartland Angels
• Brad Morehead - Wildcat Angels
• Matt Matigian - Irish Angels

Date: 12/15/11

Time: 6:30-9:30pm

Location: Much Shelist, 191 N. Wacker, 18th Floor, Chicago 

Price: $10 pre-registered by 11/22, $15 regular, $20 at door

Host: EFactor

For more details and to register, go to EFactor.com.

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed

Why Your Network is Your Greatest Personal Asset

Throughout your professional careers, you will amass a good sized network. Don’t take this lightly. Your network is one of your greatest personal assets for the following reasons:

It is Portable

Relationships are built between individuals not companies. Therefore, you can take your network with you no matter what company you work for or start. If you are in sales or business development, then this is a key hiring decision for many employers.

It Defines You

Your network to a certain extent defines you because it is a reflection of who you associate yourself with.  Your personal brand resides with your network so they are your most important allies.

It Opens Up Doors

Having a sizable and diverse network can lead to new opportunities.  As long as you stay in front of  your network and provide continuous value, certain people will approach you with new opportunities.

It is Your Life Line

In times of need, you should be able to reach out to certain people in your network for assistance. It is good to have a diverse network so you always can find someone to help you.

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed

Chicago EFactor Workshop 12/3 - Jim Solomon & Fran Tarkenton

EFactor Presents: Chicago Workshop with Jim Solomon, with special guest appearance: Fran Tarkenton

Have you ever been to a seminar or speaking engagement hoping to get personalized business advice only to leave with just general information? 

At this workshop that won't happen to you! Professor Jim Solomon, an adjunct professor at the University of Utah, and NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Fran Tarkenton, hated attending one size fits all seminars. No one leaves those events with personalized advice for their unique situation. What works for one business won't necessarily work for yours! 

Sensing a need for more unique business advice, Professor Jim and Fran Tarkenton put together this highly informative and personalized workshop for entrepreneurs in the Chicago area. You'll learn critical points of starting a business as well as marketing strategies and management advice. In addition, you'll get the chance to submit a 'Needs List' to Professor Jim. He will personally review your list and counselors will contact you with business ideas and advice.  

Event Details

December 3, 2011

8:30am-12pm

TechNexus, 200 S. Wacker, 15th Floor, Chicago

Cost: Early Bird $25, Regular $30 

For more information and to register, go to EFactor.