The question that can make you a fortune!
**This ? can make you a fortune!**
Hey Gang~~
I am sitting here at my desk drinking my iced soy latte (see post from a couple of months ago) and reflecting on last night. You see I was at an AWESOME fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and had a wonderful conversation with the women sitting next to me as we lost our money to a wonderful game of blackjack. One of the things I have become really good at is using networking ideas over and over until they become so natural I do not even know I am using them in real life situations.
So we were talking and of course the subject of what we do for a living comes up as it usually does. After we kinda told each other what we did for a living, I asked her a question. I will say, I have asked the same question so many times it feels natural to me but it didn’t at first. You will be told the question but I will warn you, it WILL NOT sound natural at first so you MUST MUST MUST practice it over and over in real life situations for it to be successful.
This question stopped her dead in her tracks as she not only pondered the answer but told me that in all of her years she had NEVER felt like some stranger actually cared enough to find out what she was looking for in a client. Her comment was that it was one of the best networking questions she had ever heard and promptly took out a pen and wrote the question on a napkin! Not only that she has already emailed me and wants to get together for coffee. How is that for appointment setting 101? Are you ready? I really want you to think about how powerful this question is when you are out there looking to network and build relationships.
“How would I know if someone I am talking with would make a good client or prospect for you?
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Think about this and say it out loud 10 times, then if you like this little post how bout some retweet love in the upper right corner or a facebook share? I love your comments and feedback!
Give someone an AWESOME day by simply asking them how would I know if someone I am talking with would make a good client or prospect for you?
Fast food drive up windows can really be a tool?
I use this all the time!
Howdy Gang~~
Where do you give out your marketing materials? Are they passively sitting in a holder somewhere on a desk or are you actively putting them out there?
Here’s an easy tip that kinda combines marketing with random acts of kindness. The next time you go through a toll booth, pay the toll for the car behind you and give your brochure/flyer/CD/card to the toll booth operator and ask him/her to give it to the person in the car whose toll you just paid. Do the same thing in a drive-through with someone’s coffee or food. You could even do this in a bar or restaurant, but be sure to pick your moments so the bartender isn’t too busy or it’s a dinner bill for a family of six.
Other places for your stuff…..
- With the credit card receipt at a restaurant, for your waiter
- In the airplane seat pockets (Do you really think they get cleaned out? Reach in sometime.)
- In the taxi seat pockets, or on the bus/subway seat
- In anything you mail out – bill payments, invoices, etc.
- On the magazine table at the doctor’s office
Those are just a few…..can you think of others? Please share!
Give someone an AWESOME day (and a brochure)!
Is that a Sharpie in your pocket???
One of th BEST networking tools!
Howdy Gang~~
You’ve heard to never go anywhere without a pen, right? Remember filling out that first job application at McDonald’s as a wee-little 15-yr-old and Mom saying, “Always have a pen with you when you go job hunting.” And despite this digital age we live in, that’s still good advice. Except now we need to step it up a notch and say “Always have a Sharpie with you when you go to a networking event.” Ummm, why?
How many times have you gone to write on a glossy business card, only to not be able to? So frustrating! Because so many people have glossy or colored or “busy” business cards these days, it’s hard to write on them with a normal ballpoint pen. That’s why you need to have a Sharpie, because those things can write on anything and – bonus – they don’t smudge. So you can write on the card, stick it in your pocket along with the others, and still be able to read it in the morning.
Also, while you’re writing on the cards, you may want to code them. For example, an asterisk might mean to follow up ASAP, a checkmark might mean to put them on your newsletter list, etc. Be careful with your codes, though. You don’t want to use a big X for someone you think is a loser or a frowny face or something obvious. You might think these cards are going in your pocket and no one else will see, but as soon as you think that, Mr. X will come over and say something like, “Oh, let me write my other phone number on that card,” and that could be just a little bit embarrassing.
So, go out and buy some Sharpies and start carrying them with you. You may as well take a few extras, because once people see what a good idea this is, they’ll be wanting to borrow yours. Which, of course, means that they will remember you.
Give someone an AWESOME day!
Are you supporting the Network Marketing Profession?
Hey Gang~~
I was sitting here at my desk thinking about a very interesting experience I had yesterday. You see, I had a new Teammate over at my house and we were going through some training ideas when he had to use the restroom. When he was finished he walked out and commented on how many products in my house were from different network marketing companies that were NOT from the company I work with. It warmed the cockles of my heart to have him notice. You see I have had a philosophy that I have been training my own team forever and it is really simple. Here we go. I will not buy a product from a store or website if there is some network marketing company that sells something similar!!
I love the profession of Entrepreneurialism so much that I will even pay a tiny bit more and even spend a little more time to support someone else’s business in every way I can. I have met some of my closest friends this way!! Let me give you a tiny example. There are candles burning in my office everyday, when I need a new candle I will usually (I now have a couple of close friends selling candles so I don’t do this every time) go on facebook or twitter and ask if anyone sells candles. Instead of buying 5 candles from one distributor, I will buy 1 from 5 different reps. The reason is simple, I want everyone in our AWESOME profession to be able to say they made some money.
Here are just a few examples of the types of products you can buy from someone in our profession. All toiletries, candles, gas mileage enhancer, energy drinks, silver coins, vitamins, minerals, coffee, birthday cards, direct t.v., phone service…..you get my drift.
O.K. you say you are NOT in network marketing?? You’re crazy but there is is hope. You see, if you are in business you will need some people talking about what it is that you do. A good professional networker usually has a much larger network than your regular Chamber of Commerce Member. If you want instant access, buy something from one! You will not get sucked into a meeting but you will be supporting a profession that in my opinion is one of our last hopes for flying out of the current economic “situation” and who knows who you might meet!
If you sell something through network marekting or direct sales, leave a comment with your link!
Give someone (and I mean a Networker) an AWESOME day!!
This is where all the networking magic happens……..
- All the magic happens here….
Howdy Gang~~
Last night I was having a conversation with a close friend of mine who is just getting started in a network marketing opportunity that could and probably will change her life forever. She was asking me about what it takes to have some success in her new venture and she asked me, “Case, can you tell me about a place where all the magic happens?” This was an AWESOME question with multiple answers. It was really interesting to be asked that question because I have always tried to figure out the answer for myself in every single venture I have ever been involved in. I want the magic pill that I can take to be wildly successful just like everyone else! Call it what you want but I think we tend to seek out the path of least resistance. I am sure I could do hours of training on this topic but I will keep this short, sweet and to the point! Here it is, get ready, are you set? In my opinion most of the solid networking magic almost ALWAYS happens right after an event usually at the bar!
O.K. let me explain myself a little and a few of you will need to pull your heads out of the gutter! LOL. There have been so many times I have been to events as a participant or even as a speaker (blatant plug here) where after the event a cold frosty beer is desperately needed. I usually head straight to the lobby or the bar of the hotel where the event is held. There you will usually find the dedicated folks that flew in for an event as well as the speakers. You see, as a speaker I can tell you that during the event the speakers are in a totally different mindset. They are prepping in their heads and the very last thing they want is to have their brains “picked”. However, after the event they need to let off a little steam and need to decompress from the event. They are usually more open to answering questions and explaining themselves a bit more. Here is the other cool thing, usually the more dedicated people are willing to stay after for their own decompression.
I have met some of the most successful people after events I have either spoke at or attended. I have found that this group is usually the “cream” that has risen to the top. Here is another cool thought, if you will find the successful people after the event and you are one of the people, congratulations, you are also part of that same “cream”. Kinda cool huh?
Here is your action step, next time you are at an event and you want to rush home to watch your recording of Glee, stick around for a few minutes and watch how some true networking magic is created!! Give someone an AWESOME day!!
If you like what you have read, I love me some social media sharing….Hit the little tweet button on the top of this post or hit up the facebook share button. Happy Magical Networking!
Avoid the F.I.N.E. trap if you want to build relationships!
Howdy Gang~~ How ya doing?
STOP.
If you blurted out “fine” on autopilot, then reach up and give yourself a good smack. Avoid the F.I.N.E trap! (F.I.N.E. = Feelings I’m Not Expressing) Snoozer questions like “how are you doing?”, “how’s it going?”, “how are you feeling?” are bad enough, but to add a snoozer answer to the mix is just adding insult to injury. Think about it, if you meet someone at a networking event and they say, “Hi, how are you?” do they really want to know? No, of course not. It’s one of those silly little courtesy games we play with each other. Hihowareyoufinethankshowareyou. So here’s your opportunity to turn it around. Instead of “Fine,” try “Awesome!” or “Any better and I’d be twins!” or “Everything is beautiful!” or “If I was any better, vitamins would be taking me!” or my personal favorite, “So awesome it ought to be a sin!”. NOW you have their attention. Nobody expects that kind of answer, so you’ve peaked their curiosity and it’ll prompt them to find out what made you say it. Plus, you’ve set the tone with your positive outlook and then who wouldn’t want to meet you? Or connect with you? Or do business with you?
Try it and let me know how it worked out, and feel free to share your best lines. Now get out there and have a F.I.N.E.-free, AWESOME day!
And hey, if you are up to giving me an AWESOME day, leave a comment, Retweet this or hit up my website!! 😉
Where are all your prospects??
Howdy Gang!!
I just wanted to give you some food for thought this morning. I was on my way home from my free breakfast at Denny’s this morning (O.K. I will say the chicken commercials during the Super Bowl really work) and I was thinking about where I could meet some new prospects or better yet where do my ideal prospects hang out. This is a question I am asked all the time and I never really had the best answer……..until NOW!! Remember that I like to do things a tiny bit different than most so when I look for people to network with I am always looking for new people, new situations and/or new ways to increase the number of people I have relationships with. O.K. so let’s get back to my drive home from Denny’s.
Let me first tell you that one of the groups I like to network with are sales people. Why? Because we are ALL in sales and these people have some amazing skills (the good ones anyways). In my line of work I like to deal with professionals. I like to work with super top notch quality people that actually have some people skills. Another thing I look for in people is their level of Entrepreneurialism. And then it HIT me like a ton of bricks!! I got so excited it may just made my day, so I thought I would share it with you!!
I will be taking a class at my local community college in sales!! Now, I can hear it already so let me explain. I am going where the people who I want to hear more about will be hanging out. I know these people are being proactive in developing the skill of selling!! It will be like shooting fish in a 55 gallon barrel!! So let me give you another example. If Realtors (by the way Realtor is only 2 syllables and I lost a HUGE sale because I use to say Real A Tor) are your best clients why not take a class with a bunch of them. They HAVE to take continuing education classes so only the good ones try to maintain their licenses!! Fish I tell you fish!! If you sell makeup does it not stand to reason that a class teaching people how to become makeup artists might be a good place to start? Who knows you may even learn something new about yourself or the products you sell.
I gotta go get registered for some classes so I can start finding the fish!! Happy networking!!
P.S. Thank you in advance if you find enough value in this little post to hit the Retweet button on the top. You ROCK!
A 30 second way to build a relationship with someone you just met!
Pick your favorite social media site and check for connections
Howdy Gang~~
Casey here with a really simple yet VERY underutilized tool to continue building a relationship with someone you just met. Look, here is the real deal. How often do we go to an event where tons of business cards are being passed around and when you get home you have nothing but a handful of business cards and nothing to do? It is amazing to me how many people still feel that they can just go pass out some cards and business is just going to flood their doorstep. Well here is what I do and for some reason everyone thinks I’m smart (no comments from the peanut gallery please) because I love getting business cards at an event but I actually DO something with them, even if I have NO intention of ever talking with the nimrod. (I have no idea why, but I love the word nimrod!)
I want to get to know as many people as I can AND scout out the ones I want to do business with. I do want people in my information loop and I choose to use social media sites as a great way to do this. Note: I almost just went and deleted “nimrod” but then I smiled and just typed it again! On my facebook page, I keep people up to date with what I am doing but also use it as a data mine for things and situations I can help others with in their businesses. So, Are you ready for this thing that I do?
Easy: When I get home from every event I ALWAYS try to connect with the folks who were cool AND the NIMRODS on Facebook and twitter just to keep them in the loop. It is free and you never know who they may know. This sounds really easy to do but the reality is it is just as easy NOT to do. This will increase your connections and everyone wins. Now look, I am sure someone will say “yeah but why do you want to connect with nimrods?’ I don’t but they may be connected to someone I would like to know OR maybe they can introduce me to someone they have a relationship with.
Bottom line, In order for you to increase your social currency you must build a reputation for helping people. I run everyone I meet through Facebook right when I get home. I may or may not leave a message but I am just looking to connect.
Give me an awesome day and click on one of the little blue links to connect to a non nimrod!