Seriously, Check it Out
First things first: you need to read Kim Wood’s excellent first article for agentgenius because this here article builds upon her idea of casting your business-getting anchor in a group of like-minded, interrelated people. Seriously, check it out before you continue…
If you read her article you’re probably full of ideas and new revelations about who you should be talking to and where.
If You’re Into…
In her article, Kim tells us to connect with folks of common interest. If you’re into technology, look for local tweet-ups and social media clubs. If you’re into cars, find car clubs to participate in.
Basically, she recommends building a centered and targeted hub for your network.
Clearly, we all should be doing business this way.
By associating with like-minded folks you’ll have more fun in life (yay!) and you’ll generate rapport and credibility with folks… enough to build a business with (if you’re genuine.)
The Strategic Network
Now, let’s take this hub and connect it to a strategic network.
Your hub of like-minded, inter-related people go out and spend money at similar places.
Here are some examples:
- Photography Club
Members get their photos developed, pictures framed, purchase new lenses, and visit galleries. - Horse Owner’s Club
Members call on veterinarians, buy from the hay and feed fella, visit the tack shop, and get riding lessons. - Classic Car Club
Members talk with body shops, parts suppliers, auto painters, and rally organizers.
Connect with these vendors and build relationships there. They already have trust, rapport, and influence with your hub group. They’re in a perfect position to speak about you with others inside your network.
Your Name & Reputation
By doing this you connect with all the parts of the community you want to build a relationship with and now your name and reputation can easily spread throughout this… your strategic network.
Will Doom
October 1, 2008 at 10:41 am
Good post. I always like to position myself as the Referral broker. Sometimes individuals want to build the strategic network (SN) and just don’t have the tenacity to do it. If you are a Go Getter, you can position yourself as the SN Guru; individuals in your HUB then turn to you for the professional connection.
Lani Anglin-Rosales
October 1, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I love that both you and Kim support the idea of being present. The same way you make friends and learn about their job, their kids and their hobbies, others find out about you meaning you don’t have to drip campaign your new friends but it is okay for people to know what you do through natural conversation. It’s okay to make friends in various networks and when business happens as a result, that’s awesome (and besides, if you’re in the Horse Club for networking reasons only and you don’t actually like horses, it will be evident that you’re there for the Almighty Dollar only and you’ll be weeded out anyhow).
I’m not a Realtor, but my presence in the Austin social scene has led to a great deal of business for my husband because it’s natural for me to be there and it’s natural for friends to refer to each other.
Kim Wood
October 1, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Any idea how I feel about this ??? ROCK ON, Mark!!! I put together a tweetup with another local in my area that was just last night – I would say most seemed to enjoy and have fun!!
I like how you’ve expanded on the thought, and taken it to the vendor level, I need to work on those connections some more.
VERY IMPORTANT POINT: By associating with like-minded folks you’ll have more fun in life (yay!) and you’ll generate rapport and credibility with folks… enough to build a business with if you’re genuine.
Thomas Johnson
October 1, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Um, I vote: “Present!”
Mark Eckenrode
October 2, 2008 at 8:54 am
always asking myself the question “how can i get MORE out of this” (always thinking optimization) is what led me to think about taking the network to the vendor level. if ya think about it… through traditional networking you’re still pretty much working 1 relationship at a time for 1 transaction (for the most part). from the vendor level, it’s 1 relationship that is in a position to send many transactions your way via referral. yay for more.
the trick at the vendor level is same as the group level, go in and give first.