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Two Ways to Make Social Networking Really Pay
Dec 21st
Two Ways to Make Social Networking Really Pay
This content from: Duct Tape Marketing
First off I want to apologize to anyone who came to this post expecting to hear about some new secret tool or approach for gaining Facebook fans.
The reality is that you make social networking pay the way you’ve always made networking pay – by focusing on two things – who you can help and who can help you. (If you find that you initially recoil a bit at the bluntness of that statement, I’ll explain it in a way that may help.)
Image linus_art via Flickr CC
Now, if you accept that my basic networking statement is true, then you must surely also come to the realization that it’s not a numbers game – well, actually it is, but it’s not a “get lots of followers game.”
If you are going to limit your networking to those you can help or target and network with someone that can help you, you’ve got a real capacity problem.
See, in order to do either or both, you must actually get to know something about the hopes, dreams, goals and objectives of the person you’re trying to network with and you can’t do that with a “follow” or a “like.”
The surest way to make social networking pay is to build deeper relationships with fewer people. Likes and follows and witty tweets may create awareness for your brand and open doors for actual networking, but nothing can deliver the payoff of actually helping someone else get what they want or connecting with someone who can help you get what you want.
But here’s the really interesting thing about this point of view – you accomplish both – helping people get what they want and connecting with those that can help you get what you want in exactly the same way – and that’s by giving.
Here’s your 2-part assignment for the next month.
1) Identify five people that you know you can help and that you would appreciate your help and reach out and offer to do something very specific to help them with your only goal being to raise them up a bit and start to build a relationship based on giving.
2) Identify five people that you know can help you achieve an objective this year and reach out and offer to do something very specific to help them with your only goal being to become a resource and start to build a relationship based on giving.
Sure, all that helping people get what they want might cut into your tweeting, but by building fewer, deeper, stronger, authentic relationships in this very manner you can make your social networking efforts pay off royally.
View full post on Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing
Interview With Ilana Eberson of NYC Business Networking Group: Wishing for a Clone
Nov 4th
The problem for many entrepreneurs is that there’s only one of them. Ilana Eberson, founder of The New York City Business Networking Group, wishes she had a clone to help her host the ever-growing number of networking groups she runs:
“I have really become the brand of my own business, which is a double-edged sword.”
Eberson really could use a few copies of herself. She travels to the cities where she’s launched new groups, including Sydney, Australia, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. The Business Networking Group is doing so well, it plans to continue developing branches in the U.S. and Australia during 2012, and over the next five years, Eberson hopes to develop a presence in Southeast Asia, Israel and Europe. It’s this global domination that earned Eberson the title of Small Business Influencer Champion this year.
What’s Worked and What Hasn’t
Eberson may not have enough hours in the day to get it all done, but she strives to be hands-on at all of her events:
“I try to help all our members make great connections, and they realize that I do my best to give them value for working with us, and that I’m helping them make money and be more successful.”
Along her journey, she’s learned a few lessons the hard way. Like many networking group founders, Eberson put her group on Meetup, a mistake she now regrets:
“It has been the biggest hindrance to my business growth and has had more negative impact on my business than anything else in the last four years.”
The spammers, she says, are the downside to using the free meeting site. She has a global website in the works that will bring all the groups under one umbrella, something she wished she had done years ago.
Another lesson Eberson has learned is to value her worth. Her mentor, Inc. Magazine Senior Editor Norm Brodsky, has encouraged her to get paid what she’s worth and understand that, in his words, “if you’re not making money, you’re not in business.”
If she’s not sure what to charge a client, she thinks to herself, “What would Norm say?”
“It’s been a sobering experience to struggle to put a number on the value of what I bring to business,” Eberson relates. “We take many of our own talents for granted, and most people can’t easily put a dollar amount on what we are worth.”
She’s certainly not alone in that!
Ilana Eberson was recognized as a Small Business Influencer Champion for 2011. Read more of our Small Business Influencer Champion interviews.
Interview With Ilana Eberson of NYC Business Networking Group: Wishing for a Clone
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
The Long-Term Impact of Networking
Oct 25th
About a month ago I received a call from my friend Pete. I met Pete 12 years ago in a referral group. Back then I worked for a company selling printer supplies and service. Pete gave me a ton of leads and really helped me grow my sales. I was never really able to return the favor. However, we built a relationship that remains today – even though he left the group for a while, and then, after 13 years, I left it.
When he called recently it was to ask me to facilitate a strategic planning meeting for an organization he’s involved with. They didn’t have funds to pay for this. I instantly agreed. This was my chance to pay him back. The added benefit is that I’ve acquired two clients so far from the engagement as well as future opportunities to work with the organization.
Recently my father-in-law passed away. I was given the task of creating the memorial handout for the service. Once we created it, I called Ed at American Speedy Printing. Once again, I met Ed years ago. And while he’s never given me a referral, I’ve used him for some of my printing and I trust him. I knew he’d take care of me and I wouldn’t have to think about it. I’ve met plenty of other printers over the years, but none who I trust as much as Ed.
I consistently have people check my LinkedIn connections and ask for introductions. When the request comes from someone I know well and trust, I’m happy to help. I don’t just make the LinkedIn connection, I email the person asking them to take my contact’s call, explaining why I think they should. Out of my 1,200+ connections on LinkedIn, I know which make sense and share that information with the person requesting the introduction.
Why am I sharing these stories with you? To show you the impact effective networking can have on your business and your life over time.
Building relationships without any expectation of what you are going to get is the best way to maximize your networking efforts. You should approach networking beyond the immediate need.
When you network you are going to meet a lot of people. You aren’t going to develop relationships with all of them. You’ll find that the people who resonate with you will be the ones you will naturally stay with. Go with it. Trying to create connections with people who you don’t feel a connection to is like continuing to date someone you have no interest in. Why do it?
The most successful networkers I know have three things in common:
1. They’re relaxed: They aren’t consumed with what they can get from the event or the people there. They are just themselves. They know the business will come, so they don’t worry about it.
2. They’re giving: Their attention is always on the other person, discovering who they are and what they need. Great networkers are always open to how they can help someone else.
3. They’re engaged: They don’t’ sit alone or wait for someone to approach them. They don’t gravitate to people they already know. They are out there, attending events, joining organizations and getting involved. Great networkers understand that there’s no magic formula. Great networkers know they get what they give.
So, where do you fall in regard to these points? Can you recall ways your networking efforts have paid off years later? How engaged are you? No matter where you fall, you can and should make sure you are attending events, joining groups, and engaging with others. Build those relationships for your future success, and you’ll enjoy the long-term impact of networking.
Image from Dmitriy Shironosov/Shutterstock
The Long-Term Impact of Networking
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
The Social Networking Business Plan
Oct 16th
A fully automated way to integrate the best social networking sites for automated content distribution and social networking publicity. Take advantage of free social media sites to create a Social Media Marketing Machine
The Social Networking Business Plan
Facebook Promises to Revolutionize Social Networking Today
Sep 22nd
Facebook Promises to Revolutionize Social Networking Today
This content from: Duct Tape Marketing
Rumor has it that Facebook will announce a radical change to its platform today and according to Mashable’s Ben Parr, who has seen the changes – “developers will be elated, users will be shellshocked and the competition will look ancient”
“These changes will make Facebook a place where nearly everything in your life is enhanced by your social graph. These changes will make it so you know your friends better than you ever thought you could.”
You can see and hear the announcement live today starting at 9:30am PT in the video player below.
View full post on Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing
Small Business Networking Secrets
Jul 12th
Networking is a hugely important part of your small business whether online or off. No matter what you do or how you do it, networking helps you find partners, suppliers and customers for your business. Done right, networking can be the key to your success. Done wrong, it can be cause of your failure. Here are some resources aimed at helping you improve your networking today.
Networking 101
Networking at conferences like a champ. Forget about Facebook and Twitter. There’s nothing like networking face to face and conferences can be an especially awesome place to meet people in your field in the flesh. But networking well at conferences requires some planning. Here’s how to get started. connectedlife
Harnessing the incredible networking power of LinkedIn. With all the press about the big social networks, Facebook and Twitter, it’s easy to overlook one of the big runners up, and a site much more similar to traditional networking settings. Knowing more about how to use this tool can take your small business networking to the next level. Fox Small Business Center
Fine Tuning
Niche networks meet regional, cultural needs. Just as some networking channels now specialize in niche interests, others bring together those of common geographical or cultural interest. Networking on many levels can help your business meet the many people you need to know to be a success. Explore niches that can introduce you to others with whom you share common connections. TechCrunch
Networking to learn from others. Getting together with other small business owners, especially those sharing a common niche, isn’t just about finding new business partners, opportunities or even customers. Sometimes, it’s just about learning something brand new. Are there things other business owners could teach you? Could you share things with them as well? What can networking offer you? Patch
Tech Overview
An intro to Google + business profiles. Is the day coming when most businesses will tend their Google + profiles with greater care than they do their Facebook pages? Well, maybe, and that time might be closer than almost anyone suspects. Want a peak in the crystal ball? Read on. PC World Business Center
Networking still preferred over paid search. Don’t count Facebook out so quickly, however. A recent survey suggests most small businesses would much rather spread the news about their products and services via the social networking site than through other means like paid search. It’s another example of a constantly changing online small business landscape. All Facebook
Best Practices
What will Google networking mean for your small business? As popular as Facebook and Twitter remain, how important will Google networking become to your small business? Remember, if your business is online (and at this point we’d find it hard to believe it wouldn’t be) you already need to deal with Google for SEO. Can your networking needs be far behind? WSJ
Do you know how to give? A stupid question? Not when it comes to effective small business networking. You see, your networking should NOT be an ongoing advertisement about your business. Find a way to give and be ready to receive, says one business guru. Is giving the real key to entrepreneurship? Laurie Hurley Online
Looking Forward
Social networking overload? Cendrine Marrouat poses the question, “Do we really need another social networking site?” And then answers her own question, but maybe in a way that will surprise you. Endless change may be the one constant of networking, particularly in the online universe. So keep expanding your connections. Creative Ramblings
Networking and e-commerce take another step closer. Though the recent announcement of a partnership between Foursquare and American Express may not, at first glance, seem all that important to small business, it is another step toward tying social networking and e-commerce closer together. If you have a business that already accepts American Express, the impact will be immediate. For everyone else, it is yet another taste of things to come. Forbes
Small Business Networking Secrets
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
Social Networking in Your Small Business
Jul 2nd
We’ve gone from the chamber of commerce small business mixer to social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. And we’ve learned a lot along the way. How is your social networking going? Let’s review some links below then share your own thoughts on social networking and how it works for your business.
Self-development
Do you keep a calendar? Keeping up your social media networking is perhaps the hardest part of what you do. Basic social skills are easy when some one’s invited you to an event. But what if it’s just you and your computer? Small Business Trends
In-House Social
New trends bring social media in-house. Getting social networking into the hands of collaborative employees is the focus of a new business networking platform called Jive. Follow the link above to learn more. Forbes
It’s a bird, it’s a plane. No, it’s actually Google+, the search engine’s new foray into social media. And Google is really hoping it will make you forget all about a thing called Facebook. But will it? Inc.com
Google goes social. Here’s a first look at the new Google+ from CNET TV. While the functionalities look pretty cool, it’s a bit early to determine what impact if any this new social tool might have where Facebook is concerned. CNET TV
Business Networking
Why business networking is really about sex. Blogger Martin Lindeskog gives us a preview of a book on the relationship of gender to business marketing. To what degree do these gender issues extend to online social networking? Stay tuned to find out. Ego Sole Trader
Social networking for new business. It’s really not new. Networking is what you do face to face when talking to peope about your product, service or business. Now a new survey suggests many businesses globally are moving into the social realm. MarketingProfs.com
Global
Social networking has worldwide reach. If we can say nothing else about social media, its impact is global. See this post about social networking in South Africa to learn more about its incredible and universal impact today. Marketing Web
Mobile
Is mobile the new social? There was a time when having a Facebook and Twitter presence were enough. Today, mobile accessibility is vital as well. Social networking and mobile make a powerful combo. Read this link about how your online business can grow with mobile. WebSuccessTeam
Customer Service
10 tips for using Twitter. Not every social media channel needs to bring in new business. Here’s a look at how social media can help maintain relationships with existing customers too. ManagementDirect
Conclusion
Social Media 101. Looking for a primer on the basics of social media channels when managing your social networking efforts? Here’s a video that breaks it down for you. Social media can change your business networking approach. LeapTV
Social Networking in Your Small Business
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
Extra Strength Social Networking – Sale Price
May 25th
Get this “think outside the box” and common sense product and system to beef up your social networking experience!
Extra Strength Social Networking – Sale Price
Small businesses guide to social media marketing & social networking
May 22nd
A step by step guide to social media marketing for non technical business people. Written in plain English by accomplished Internet entrepreneurs. Explains how savvy small businesses are using social networking Today to drive more and better online sales
Small businesses guide to social media marketing & social networking
Small businesses guide to social media marketing & social networking
May 22nd
A step by step guide to social media marketing for non technical business people. Written in plain English by accomplished Internet entrepreneurs. Explains how savvy small businesses are using social networking Today to drive more and better online sales
Small businesses guide to social media marketing & social networking
