MORE TIPS for Marketing in Interesting Times

Everyone You Meet is “Networking!”

One phenomenon of tough business times is the emergence, or re-emergence, of the formalized “networking group.” When we’re busy we spend all our time taking care of the customers that are already filling our IN box; but when things slow down we farm the “yellow pages” (there’s an archaic term, at least in dead tree form), consider purchasing “lead generation” products, and investigate those good old face-to-face business networking groups. These are groups of business people, often organized around a specific industry or other compatibility, that meet for breakfast or lunch to talk about themselves and exchange “leads” with each other. They usually pop up when business is bad and thrive pretty well until business picks up, and then they more or less melt back into the background of “I’m too busy and don’t need this any more.”

One that is still apparently alive and thriving is The Breakfast Club of Minneapolis which has a large membership and, judging by their calendar meets weekly with the typical presentation centered on their member businesses. Such groups are very collegial and make you feel like you’re accomplishing something, even if all you’re really doing is having breakfast with your buddies.

Of course, this is the virtual/digital/online era where the term “networking” has a similar but more technical reference; and like every other aspect of our contemporary lives, from dating to hiring a handyman, there are numerous online versions of business networking including (in no particular order and with absolutely no endorsement or representation of suitability or quality) the familiar Linkedin networking site (think business FaceBook), Business Referral Systems (which may or may not be related to the former national live meeting franchise of the same name that a certain blogger once attended), and in keeping with the accelerated pace of life today, the Ignite Speed Networking program.

What’s my point?

Networking is nothing more than meeting and knowing people whose business interests dovetail with yours. If you’re socially challenged you may want to have breakfast with people who know you’re there for the same mercenary purpose as they, but it isn’t magic and really doesn’t take a special identification to accomplish. Just remember that “networking” is just “meeting people.” Here are some tips:

• BE ACCESSIBLE and make connections everywhere you go. Talk to people … don’t be shy.
• PAY ATTENTION. Listen and learn something about the people you meet. If you’re a hyper-organizer, make notes or add them to your database … *after* you’ve left their company.
• STAY OPEN-MINDED and realize it’s not all about selling them something. People are interesting … enjoy them.
• DON’T BE SHALLOW! This could be the toughest part for some of you, but it’s all a matter of perspective. You know you have an ulterior motive (sort of ), but *they* don’t. It really is possible to be sincere and still be in tune with potential business opportunities.

Just get out there and meet somebody.

TIPS for Marketing in Interesting Times

Everything You Do is “Marketing!”

Marketing isn’t everything you do, but everything you do is marketing. Yep. From image to outreach, window dressing to nuts and bolts. If you’re a sharp dresser, dress sharp … if you’re the flannel shirt guy, be that guy and dress appropriately.

HELLO … ANYBODY THERE!? I called a guys published office phone number and got a message that the voice mail box had not yet been “activated.” WHAT? Is this guy really in business? Assuming you do answer your phone remember that it’s true … you can hear that smile or frown right through the phone.

Keep an eye out for our marketing tips in BATC’s Builders Digest

… and please … wash the truck.