Business Networking

Some years ago personal development guru Mark Victor Hansen said “Your net-work determines your net-worth.” You’ve probably also heard the saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” and that’s actually better said “it’s who knows you.”

In the previous issue of Contacts2Clients, I mentioned some online networking sites and how to use them to build your business. It sparked a number of inquires from subscribers of this newsletter, but also from clients and colleagues.

Although I created my LinkedIn profile years ago, I’ve never actually used it until recently. Within about a month my network is now over 1.5 million strong – yes, that’s six figures, baby. And all that from only 60 or so connections.

Mind you, the point is not to have a large number of contacts, but to participate. Be active. If you just put up a profile, but never participate, it’s like having a blog to which you never post.

Some people say you should be active on 25 different networks. I don’t think that’s realistic, unless you delegate the work to a virtual assistant, but you should pick at least 3 that you will visit fairly regularly and make an effort to participate.

Are you Networking? I don’t mean business networking in person, you know, at your local chamber of commerce or BNI. I mean, are you networking online?

Are you using LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, Ryze? I just recently started exploring this area. It seems everyone and his uncle is on at least one of these networks. For example, Facebook now has over 65 million users and adding 1/4 million every day!

Here’s a great article on why you should join LinkedIn.
http://blog.linkedin.com/blog/2007/07/ten-ways-to-use.html

You can find me on LinkedIn and Facebook. Take a look at my profile and let’s connect.

It’s bonus time!

Last couple of weeks I’ve been busy writing, recording, sound-editing, re-writing, and then re-recording my new special report: “The 4 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid in Marketing Your Small Business.” It’s now ready in audio format you can listen to on line, or download an MP3 to your PC. I personally prefer to listen to this kind of educational materials in my car.

There will be a printable PDF version as well, hopefully by the end of the week. For audio recording I used Impact Web Audio and the files are hosted by AudioAcrobat.

OK, when’s the last time you updated your business card? Take a look at it now, and see if there’s room for improvement. Here are some tips:

• use both sides of the card to deliver your message;
• have a clear, benefit-driven statement that addresses your prospects needs/wants;
• include a call to action, such as “Visit our web site to sign up for my e-newsletter and receive a free special report/white paper“;
• in the call to action, see if it’s possible to use a custom URL so that you can track your sign-ups;
• ask your printer about using AQ coating because it will protect the ink from smudging, but – unlike UV coating – will allow your prospects to write on your card with a regular pen, or even a pencil.

If you’re really cash-strapped you can get your cards for almost nothing on line at VistaPrint.com, but I’d recommend you invest in a nice custom designed card, which will project a more professional image.

If you attend a lot of networking events, where you may leave your cards unattended for anyone to pick up, I’d recommend not using your real email address, but list a Yahoo, or similar account on the cards, so that you can protect yourself from unsolicited email.

Copyright 2007 Boris Mahovac R.G.D.

It’s been very strange two weeks since the last issue of my ezine. My wife took our kids overseas to meet their grandparents, so I’ve been a bachelor of sorts for a while.

Only a few days after my family returns, I’ll be flying to Irvine, California, for Adam Urbanski’s Attract Clients Like Crazy Boot Camp (that’s Adam and me in the photo). Then, in early June, it’s Montreal, for a one day Small Business Big Thinking conference, hosted by Visa Canada.

Attending live events and training seminars is not only a great way to learn, it’s also fabulous for business and personal development, business networking and meeting new people, who may become your joint venture partners, or clients.

If you’re planning to offer live seminars or retreats to your own clients, attend a few similar events yourself to see how it’s done. Why re-invent the wheel, right