OK, so in networking, how do we make that mystical, magical connection and get people to, you know,
lock into us and let us be of service first?
Now, we talked about how we can help other people.
Now, the best way to do that is to help them, help them find contacts, resources, things that would
be time savers where they can get discounts, anything that they might need.
And if you don't have any of these, tell them that you're looking for your ask.
So a lot of times I'll listen to somebody and I'll say, you know, what do you most need in your business
right now?
That's a great networking question to ask.
You know, what's or what's your biggest challenge?
What's the one hurdle?
If you could overcome that, you just be crushing it.
And as they're as they're talking, listen, they're going to leave clues because you you you asked
a great open ended question that's going to do all the detective work for you.
So they're going to say, boy, if I could just get more people through the door, if I could just do
better marketing, if I could just solve this shipping issue, help them.
If you can help them, tell them how you can help them, tell them who you know that might be able to
help them or say, boy, that's a tough one.
I have to think about that for a while.
I'll tell you what.
Give me a card.
If I think of something, I'm going to look through my resources and check with some people.
Let me get back to you the next couple of days.
If I find something, I'll be sure to call you.
They appreciate that.
That creates a sense of obligation because you said you'd at least try.
That's more than probably anybody else in the room did.
Helping people is a great, great technique.
Now, let's look at some of the ways that we can help people.
Now, when you give them your card, this is in case they need your help and you want to get their card,
why?
Because then you can try to find something of value that you can contact them the very next day.
This will solidify the lead.
This will solidify the contact and get them to know you, like you and trust you.
Why?
Because instead of just taking their card and then maybe calling them and trying to sell them something
the next day.
No, no.
Remember, reciprocity helped them first.
Few days later, a few weeks later, a few months later, then go back and say, hey, I heard of this.
It's a great service.
I thought of you.
This seems perfect for your business.
Do you think this is something that you might like?
Let me tell you a little about it.
Can I borrow you for two minutes and do your 60 second sales pitch?
OK.
Now, I also want to get their card so I can write a little bit of useful information about them, maybe
a little bit about their business.
There's even some updated things that you can do around this.
A lot of people now will take pictures of your business card, why it'll go on your smartphone.
Sometimes it'll grab all the information off of there.
Sometimes you can use this and hook it up with your other apps and you can hook it up to your messaging
system.
You can even find people on Facebook this way.
You can put it into a, you know, customer management system.
So there's a lot of nice technology now that you can just with a smartphone, just pull this information
right out on the spot.
Used to be able to keep all the cards, put them in a binder.
Some people still do that because they know where to flip to.
It's easier to section out.
Some people like to see something physical, but those cards are huge.
So make sure you have a nice card and but you've given it to them so they can call you if they need
something and you're getting their card.
So what you can follow up with something of value.
So what would you follow up with?
That's a value obviously leads.
People love that.
Give them, Ali, the love of your life that will remember you.
They also give you leads a great time.
The best time to ask for lead is if you just gave one.
What I just say bestand ask for lead is after you just gave one, give him a lead, even if it drops
on the ground and then say, hey, you wouldn't happen to have any leads for me would you?
And they will give you some leads, useful information.
We talked a little bit about this earlier, useful websites.
We talked about that list, some of these things that you can give articles, CDs, empathy software,
give, give, give, give gifts.
So go through your resource file, make it happen, and people will love you for it.
Now, after you connect with people you want to keep in contact a minimum of three times, best way
to do its simplest way to do it, fastest way to do it is email.
It's not quite as personal, but in some ways it's less intrusive.
And with email, I can attach audio, video links, podcast resources, all of those types of things,
pictures, graphics, almost anything will attach to an email these days.
Phone is good, but it takes more time, but it's a little bit more personal.
Hey, I thought of a resource that I could get for you.
Did it do I just want to I want to take two minutes to call you and tell you about it.
You know, again, comment service or sometimes you can use the mail.
Little tip.
People will sometimes open lumpy mail where they won't open the other junk mail.
So if your stuff looks like junk mail, do something lumpy.
You know, some a little 10 cent rubber ball that you got the dime store, you know, and say, give
me a call.
I got some ideas I want to bounce off.
You use the mail and be a little creative.
Would have a little fun with it.