What's your best tip for MCC or networking newbies?
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Hey there Connectors-
We have had a lot of new people join and I want to make sure they get some sage advice regarding being a part of our network.
What wisdom can you share about making MCC work for them?
Mine is simple:
Be interested prior to being interesting.
Be Connected-
Terry Bean
www.networkedinc.com
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Although I consider myself failry new to the networking scene, by becoming involved with MCC I have taken my networking skills to the next level. If you haven't attended an event or aren't quite sure how the MMC group functions, my advice would be to find out the next time master/expert "connector" Mr. Terry Bean is conducting one of his informational workshops and attend it. From there, start attending events and you will soon find out what an exceptional group you haved joined. Become involved and have a great time!
Robert
I think my tip is let people get to know you a little bit before putting out your ask. Post in a few discussions, let people see who you are; and then, if you have an ask, post it and I think you'll find it to be much more effective.
Terry, maybe your own sage advice on the "Art of the Ask" would be appropriate for this thread? Is that posted somewhere, say on your blog?
I would say help others be successful by making introductions for them. Show people you are genuine.
As Ivan Misner says Givers Gain...
Lisa, you took the tip I was going to use.
That being said: the next tip is "keep coming back"
Networking is a marathon, not a sprint. You get from it, what you put into in.
Ben Rosenzwieg
As an MCC/networking n00b, I appreciate the advice; although, as an avid internet forum user, I have come to learn this is how it works everywhere. Unless you know everyone in the room, you shouldn't be broadcasting your presence. Even still, if everyone knows you, you wouldn't have to broadcast anyway.
My advice - that I will take myself - is be humble and open to learning about others. My goal here is to learn about and learn from the movers and shakers in the state of Michigan. I feel those brave enough to weather these "trying times" of ours are the type of people I want to get to know. Right now, I wonder if I am making the right decision to stick around for things in Metro Detroit to get better in a variety of ways. I am sure we can all help each other by reassuring ourselves and working together to do things to support our respective communities.
I know I am not the only one that has a growing address book of Michigan expats. I find myself needing to meet new people as my closest friends just don't live that close anymore, so in advance, nice to meet you all.
Be open - Networking is about relationships first and foremost - Be social, warm and who you truly are. Learn to listen and engage conversations.
Be real - All you need to know about networking - you learned on the playgroud in second grade. Pretend that you're back there, and you want to make friends and have fun. Now, take that attitude in to your events and experiences. Don't be shy.
Be involved - you can't do this hiding at a desk or only on line. Put as much skin on this as you can - Go places and do things! Bring at least two friends with you every time.
Be patient - there are people who need what you have, but you have to let it flow to you through trust, respect and a bit of time.
Here is a great little article I just read with some basic and common-sense netoworking tips...so basic that we sometimes forget them.
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1703-Job-Search-5-Things-Mom-Taught-You-About-Networking/?sc_extcmp=JS_1703_home1&SiteId=cbmsnhp41703&ArticleID=1703>1=23000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=5f3180de803a40a5b06a0a8862001ab4-280340940-x7-6
Tips? hmm... well, for some of us it comes easy to connect, meet, greet, and create but for others it is completely foreign!
My best tip for a newby is to connect with Terry Bean at tbean@getnetworkedinc.com who actually trains business professionals how to connect, meet, greet, and create new business and relationships through networking!
A Business Networking Coach: Terry Bean!
I'll add "Follow Through" and "Give Feedback"
If you receive a lead, call the person right away. Then let the individual who gave you the lead know the results of your conversation.
If you say you can help someone, follow through and provide contact information and introduction. Then follow up to see how the meeting went.
Regards,
Dale Hetrick
I sent a thank you Holiday card to one of my Linked In contacts in FL. He liked it a lot because he had been giving me a lot of sound advice into presentation of my Social Media Plan that I wanted to give the person I was interviewing with. I wanted to act as if I was working there so that he could NOT say NO by being proactive.
So with that sound advice I think I have a great contact that I can pick his brain. I felt that since he had given me a lot of wisdom that I should send him a real thank you so I looked up his company information and then I sent it to him. I think it was a great thing to do.
Thanks for the patience comment. I think in the begining I was hoping that it would start when I needed it to start. I just think 2009 will be a better year for me. Becuase I am taking peices of advice from all fronts and I think that would help build a constructive job search!!
My brand of networking is 99% Viral. I'm the Founder of SiS (Sisters In Success) Professional Networking, and online networking is more frequent than attending a physical event.
I'm an advocate of thoroughly familiarizing yourself with an individual's profile/bio and glean as much information as possible to determine 1st, what you may lend to their company, product or service.
Show genuine interest and a natural progression of reciprocation will occur.
Quality Connections far outweigh quantity connections.
One quick tip in addition to all the great ones above. When you are writing your ask on a site, make sure to put enough details in the subject line so people will want to open it. I only have a few minutes a day to look on MCC, and I don't have time to open every post. So, if you have enough details about what you are looking for in your subject, you are more likely to get results. :)
My tip, outside of all these great one's above. I want to say, show up, show up, show up and show up! Then, take genuine interest in others, really try to learn about them, their business and their needs. Also consider any ways that you can help them, is it a referral, a tip, advice or a kind work of encouragement. Then carry those relationships over online for even more interaction to build the relationship.
All great advice, we should turn it into a book, donate the proceeds to Michigan charity:)
My tip: don't treat those you meet when networking as prospects. Nothing worse than getting cornered at a networking function by someone I just met, trying to talk me into an appointment or selling me something.
Spend time getting to know people and demonstrating your competency. Work at doing stuff to get others to say good things about you. Then you'll get referrals:)
Listen a lot more than you talk and then GIVE VALUE based on what you hear. The more value you give in a networking relationship, the faster you will receive value (sales, referrals, great service, friendship, etc.).