It’s Back-to-School time and we’re in the middle of a ten-part series on lifelong learning. We started by talking about the 3 R’s from our school days – reading, writing and arithmetic. Now we’re talking about the 3 R’s of BIGG success.
So far we’ve discussed two of them – responsibility and resiliency. Today we’ll chat about the 3rd R of BIGG success – relationships.
Today’s episode is made possible by Linq, digital business cards for modern networking. Make a lasting impression by sharing your contact information, and more — straight to someone’s phone or inbox.
We are living in the age of interdependence. It’s amazing how much can be accomplished by working together.
Relationships have always been important, and now it’s possible for any of us to build a worldwide network of relationships for work and play!
That’s where you will find customers, employees, mentors, brand advocates, and more.
And while social media networks like LinkedIn allow us to grow our networks faster than ever, new research shows that having a large network may not be the way to go.
To build a strong network – who do you need to connect with?
https://biggsuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-6-Types-of-People-You-Need-in-Your-Network-blog-post-image.png430448George Krueger & Mary-Lynn Fosterhttps://biggsuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/BIGG-Success-Nurturing-Your-Inner-Entreprener.jpgGeorge Krueger & Mary-Lynn Foster2022-03-16 15:07:432022-03-16 15:09:23The 6 Types of People You Need in Your Network
We met Liz Strauss through Chris Brogan many years ago, who recommended we reach out to her. Liz had a successful blog with tens of thousands of comments. She would start conversations there, and in the comment section, a community grew. Not too long after meeting Liz, she became our first business coach.
In addition to being a relationship builder, Liz was well-regarded as a business strategist, a coach, a keynote speaker, author, and the CEO and founder of one of the most intimate conferences ever! SOBCon, a conference for successful and outstanding bloggers was a popular event held in Chicago, described as where the virtual meets the concrete.
Network marketing on LinkedIn needs finesse – much like any networking or marketing done anywhere for that matter! Click PLAY to hear George & Mary-Lynn discuss this on The BIGG Success Show Podcast.
Network marketing on LinkedIn should be like peanut butter and jelly. However, many network marketeering practitioners make a critical mistake. Here’s an example:
[George] I recently received a LinkedIn connection request from a person who shall remain nameless. I accepted and sent a follow-up message thanking him for reaching out. He replied…
“Hey George, Great connecting with you as well… How can you help me with my biz opp…” The message went on to explain his network marketing opportunity.
Because of the nature of BIGG Success, I’m pretty open to connection requests. But this was my first correspondence with this particular person.
We hasten to add:
This recent example is by no means the only.
We’re not involved in network marketing.
We believe network marketing is a viable distribution channel.
We admire people who succeed in this field.
However, many network marketers don’t understand the culture of LinkedIn. That’s the problem. It leaves a bad taste which affects true network marketing professionals.
How can you rise above other practitioners? How can you capitalize on the power of LinkedIn to grow your business? Here are three suggestions to get better results faster:
Network marketing on LinkedIn requires the “you” view
Not you. Them. The person you’re having a conversation with.
This is a foundational concept in all sales communications. What’s in it for me?
When you reach out to someone on LinkedIn, that’s the question they’re asking.
Do you see the answer in the example above? No. Here’s what you see: “How can you help me with my biz opp…”
It’s the opposite of “you” view. It’s “me” view.
People don’t buy, join or sign up for you. They do so for themselves.
If you only present your reasons, they’ll find plenty of reasons NOT to do what you want.
Network marketing on LinkedIn starts with connecting, not connections
When you see someone you want to connect with, what do you actually see?
A real life flesh-and-bones person? A person you think might be interesting to know? A human being you’d like to learn more about?
Many people see dollar signs. They can be spotted a thousand miles away. They can’t help but show their true color – green. It’s all about money.
Of course, you should be excited about the products or services you sell. You should be enthusiastic about your opportunity.
But timing is everything. Your initial correspondence with a new connection shouldn’t be a pitch. Focus first on connecting on a human level. Money follows.
Network marketing on LinkedIn means helping, not hunting
Don’t pounce. Prospects aren’t prey.
How can you prescribe a solution when you haven’t diagnosed the problem?
Yeah, we know. You offer something everyone should be interested in.
Baloney. That mindset is a recipe for wasting time. You don’t see the qualified prospects through the mass of connections.
Don’t hunt. Help.
As you get to know the person, you’ll likely find ways to be of service. In many cases, it may be unrelated to what you do.
It may not even be about business. You may share an article or resource about a hobby or other interest of theirs. You relate to them on a human level.
The relationship grows. Trust builds. Then you’ll find plenty of opportunities to share your opportunity.
It’s about more than network marketing on LinkedIn
It turns out that these suggestions go beyond network marketing and LinkedIn. They apply to sales in general. They apply to all networking – not just social networking or networking on LinkedIn.
We must confess we’ve learned this from experience. Not on LinkedIn, but in other ways – we’ve been too exuberant at times about our own business. We learned the hard way. We’re sharing with you so you can avoid our mistakes.
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professionals who want to find, connect, and engage with prospects and customers. Follow these tips for your BIGG success!
In the hit movie, Wall Street, Gordon Gekko (played by Michael Douglas) said to his protégé, Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen):
“The key to the game is capital reserves. If you don’t have enough, you can’t piss in the tall weeds with the big dogs.”
How’s your access ability?
We hear it all the time – cash is king. But it’s not just cash that matters; it’s also access to capital.
Large companies generally have that. Small business people often don’t.
So it’s crucial to manage your cash flow wisely. Make sure you’re getting a return on every dollar that goes out your door. Because…
Even if an outlay goes to your Income Statement as an expense,
it should still deliver a return to you or it’s not worth spending the money.
In addition, build up your reserve borrowing capacity. Protect your credit rating like you would any other asset. Then you’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.
Watch your debt ratios so you could always tap into some money if need be. But also be aware that …
https://biggsuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Leverage-this-instead-of-finances-for-BIGG-Success.jpg244465George Krueger & Mary-Lynn Fosterhttps://biggsuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/BIGG-Success-Nurturing-Your-Inner-Entreprener.jpgGeorge Krueger & Mary-Lynn Foster2013-05-14 05:00:512021-11-15 14:29:09Cash Used to be King
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