One of the keys to my success was to get out and meet people. You can do it one at a time, or in group settings. I actually combine the two. I wrote about it here. Click here to see how I did it, and read this for more advice:
Five tips on why you should network in a recession
Everybody knows that networking is growing in popularity. There are social networking sites like MySpace, FaceBook and Business Networking sites such as LinkedIn. Here is why networking is even more important in these recessionary times.
First, learn what is happening in your market from the streets and not the newspapers. Although the news can be all bad about jobs all the time, what you hear on the street by meeting with people often is more current on the employment situation and business opportunities in your area. If you are connecting with a lot of people regularly you can get a better sense of what is out there than reading the newspaper. Networking in these time forms a better long term bond with people. Anxious times can creates greater honesty and affinity as people can be more forthcoming and direct.
Remember the 75/75 rule. Seventy five percent of jobs are found through relationships and 75 of all business engagements are found through networking and from referrals you know rather than going on the internet and e mailing strangers.
To get those referrals you have to know people and you won’t get to know people by just sitting at your computer. It is all about contact and touch and being a resource for people. That is why my approach to networking is “How to Get More by Asking for Less and Doing More for others.”
Although we all network primarily for financial currency which includes and new clients, remember networking in these times builds your social currency. Social currency is your relationship with people and in the long run social currency is as valuable as your financial currency. Remember to help people in transition because when they land they will remember your efforts and you will have a powerful connection.
When you attend a lot of networking events you increase your industry relevance in these changing times because you learn a lot about current topics and trends in your industry. Networking simply makes you smarter and current on in the exponential information age.
--Hank Blank, President, and Blank and Associates. hank@hankblank.com or www.hankblank.com
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