| Networking and marketing may be similar but | | | | furthering their opportunity to have their name or |
| they are definitely not one in the same. | | | | product in front of people on my subscriber list. In |
| Networking is the art of making acquaintances | | | | return, I have content-rich material to offer my |
| and sharing information about yourself, your | | | | readers and listeners. I always use a |
| business or product. Its purpose is to build | | | | permission-based service to launch my |
| relationships that offer a mutual opportunity for | | | | newsletters. Spamming is no way to network or |
| both parties to prosper. | | | | build a relationship. |
| Marketing is publicizing a service or product with | | | | Where to Network |
| the intent of closing a sale. | | | | The possibilities are endless. If you meet someone |
| In promoting my business, I use networking | | | | at the gym, or at school, or church, or in your |
| efforts far more than sales and marketing tactics | | | | social club, or while dining out, you have an |
| mainly because it is fun and I love people. I don't | | | | opportunity to make a new friend and do some |
| like to be face-to-face or on the phone with a | | | | networking. Think of the times when you have |
| pushy salesperson and I do not enjoy hard-sell | | | | taken a silent elevator ride with a stranger. Who |
| printed ads that use in-your-face (blatant) | | | | says that person has to be a stranger by the |
| methods to persuade me to buy a product. Many | | | | time we reach the 7th floor? Most people know |
| times these ads are boastful and make promises | | | | what an "elevator speech" is and a good |
| that I know cannot be fulfilled by the product. On | | | | networker has refined their one-minute blurb to a |
| the other hand, I do enjoy reading content-rich | | | | few concise sentences that explain who they are, |
| articles or listening to an online seminar or teleclass | | | | what they do and how they can help people. Be |
| that offers good information even if there is a | | | | bold and make the attempt to speak to people. |
| subtle sales plug in it. I also like to talk with people | | | | Even if you only have one minute with a stranger, |
| and find out more about them and what they do. | | | | introduce yourself. Be friendly and always have |
| Many times that involves the swapping of | | | | your business cards handy. |
| information about the services and/or products | | | | Tools |
| we each offer. This information is shared for the | | | | You still need some marketing tools when |
| purpose of building a friendship and helping one | | | | networking. I give people my brochure, a |
| another grow our businesses. | | | | giveaway item or a business card with my |
| By letting me know what you do or have to | | | | contact information whenever I talk to someone. |
| offer, I will keep my eyes and ears open for | | | | Otherwise, they may forget your name and web |
| someone I meet who might benefit from your | | | | address by the time they have access to paper |
| products or services. In the same manner, the | | | | and pen to write it down. I give two of any item |
| person I share my information with may know | | | | so the person I'm speaking with has a way to |
| someone who needs a writer and because we | | | | contact me and they have something to give to |
| now have a business and personal relationship, | | | | the next person they tell about me. Networking is |
| they will recommend me. After all, most people | | | | a win-win situation for everyone. |
| would rather utilize the services of an individual or | | | | How has networking paid off for me? I met the |
| company who has been recommended by | | | | terrific writers in the Lieurance co-op through my |
| someone we trust rather than hiring someone | | | | networking efforts and I have learned a lot from |
| from the Yellow Pages. For example: if you need | | | | each one. We have swapped books and sent |
| an auto repair would you rather take your car to | | | | leads to one another. I have found new clients |
| the mechanic your friend has been satisfied with | | | | through networking groups such as Meetup.com, |
| for years or would you rather drive into a greasy | | | | Toastmasters and NashvilleCable.org. I have found |
| garage not knowing anything about the reputation | | | | opportunities for book signings, to participate as a |
| of the company? | | | | vendor at local events, and to appear as guest on |
| Ways to network | | | | several radio shows. I also found a good friend |
| I enjoy reading newsletters so I have subscribed | | | | and publisher/editor Valerie Connelly of Nightengale |
| to several. In them I find people and services that | | | | Press to publish my next book. |
| interest me and I take the time to email or call | | | | We all benefit from networking. Give it a try. You |
| the person to say hello. Many times I'll offer to | | | | might be pleasantly surprised by how fulfilling it is |
| put an announcement in my newsletter or ask to | | | | to help others as you help yourself. |
| interview them for my podcast, thereby | | | | |