Going to networking events is kinda one of those things you
are 'supposed' to do for your business. Some people
love'em, some people hate'em. But, the truth is, especially
for a new business, making face-to-face and heart-to-heart
contact with people is incredibly powerful.
Unfortunately, networking events can seem like pretty
gross, low-energy, artificial affairs, with people
glad-handing left and right, and business cards so thick in
the air you can't even see where the complimentary bottled
water is.
Let's take another look at networking, and see if we can
find the heart in it, so that your business can actually
benefit without you feeling yucked out.
The truth about networking.
What is a 'network'? According to the Oxford American
Dictionary, a network is "a group or system of
interconnected people or things."
If you're thinking of a networking meeting as a
smash-n-grab raid, where people are just out to get
immediate business, with all the friendliness of a shark
tank... well, that's not really what a network is.
Spiritually, everything is connected. We are all One. As we
see in the ecosystems around us, everything depends on
everything else to really thrive. No one is an island.
Networking, from the heart, is really about discovering who
else is a part of your business' ecosystem. Who are the
close friends and colleagues, and who are the more distant
acquaintances, each of which is still saying "attagirl/boy"
rooting you and your business on.
Going to networking meetings isn't about getting a new
client right then and there (although that does happen.)
It's about creating a long-term support network for your
business.
Hmmm... kinda strange... can that really be true?
Oh, yes it can. But only if.
Bring your authentic intention.
Instead of thinking you need to have just one single
intention for every networking event you go to: "Must make
valuable contacts," what if you could just be authentic?
And I don't mean floppy authentic, meaning you show up and
cry on everyone's shoulder (although I wouldn't rule that
out.)
What if you could identify your true heart needs/emotional
state, and show up with an intention that fit where you
were?
You want a 'fer instance?' Okay, here's a fer instance.
Fer instance:
Wow, I'm feeling a little tender today, and I'm needing to
not feel so alone. I'll go to that meeting with the
intention of finding 2-3 people and asking their advice and
feedback.
Another? Sure. Fer instance:
I notice I'm feeling a little low energy and shy, and I'm
needing some depth. I'll go to the meeting with the
intention of finding just one person to have a real
conversation with about something important, business or
not.
It could even be like this. Fer instance:
I'm feeling kinda energetic and adventurous, and the
networking meeting seems not exactly my cup of tea. But,
I'll go with the intention of finding 2-3 people who might
be 'adventure buddies' to go with me to check out the
wildflowers by the river at the park.
But that's not business networking. Oh, yes, it is. You can
find people that you have an authentic connection with,
without betraying your emotional state to try to be in
'networking mode.' You can be your real self, and build
trust with them.
And I bet you quite naturally end up telling each other
about your businesses. And with that trust established at a
deeper, more authentic level, there's a much better chance
that they'll refer potential clients to you.
Is there more to it than that? Well, sure, there's always
more. Let me share a couple of tips with you.
Keys to Heart-Centered Networking. • Don't go for clients,
go for referrals.
If someone you meet at a networking event is a potential
client, they'll self-identify, or it will become obvious
during a conversation.
So, take the pressure off you and them, and instead look
for people to whom you would refer clients, and who would
refer clients to you, too.
• Find your genuine curiosity in humanity.
The other person is a human being. Ask them questions about
themselves. Ask questions about their business, about their
family, about anything that's genuinely interesting to you.
And listen. Asking and listening seem like no-brainers, but
when you get into 'networking mode' when you're only
focused on 'getting business' it can be easy to forget to
connect and learn about the person in front of you.
• Backend. Backend. Backend.
Networking is about building a long-term connection with
people, not about immediate gratification. So, do
yourselves a favor and get a good contact manager that will
help keep track of the people you meet, and remind you to
send thank you cards and 'nice to meet ya' emails.
I'm horrible at sending cards and emails- but if the
contact manager 'bing' pops up in my face with a task to
send an email or a card, I'll do it. Make it easy.
I have a favorite contact manager myself, and it's
web-based. It's by a company called 37 Signals, and it's
called Highrise: http://www.highrisehq.com
I happen to like it because it's web-based. Which means
that our assistant can access it, and support me with tasks
really easily. And I can access it even from a hotel while
at a conference, or other event.
Networking can be fun, and it can fit who you are. You
don't have to leave yourself at the door to have networking
benefit your business, and your heart.
Oh, and one more resource: Biznik You know, I've been
thirsting for a real way for online and in-person
networking to really work together. It rarely does. And
yet, it can, and does, on Biznik.
Biznik is specifically for indie business owners, with this
tagline: "Business networking that doesn't suck." How great
is that?
I've been really impressed with the quality of the people
there, and I've met the co-founders, Dan and Lara, and they
are very cool, all about supporting people to get what they
need.
I wrote a blog post about it, come and read it.
Or check Biznik out directly. (This is not an affiliate
link. It does keep track of how many people I've sent their
way, but I get no financial compensation whatsoever.
----------------------------------------------------
Mark Silver is the author of Unveiling the Heart of Your
Business: How Money, Marketing and Sales can Deepen Your
Heart, Heal the World, and Still Add to Your Bottom Line.
He has helped hundreds of small business owners around the
globe succeed in business without lousing their hearts. Get
three free chapters of the book online:
http://www.heartofbusiness.com
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