I would agree that any networking activity should be PRODUCTIVE but also PROFITABLE too. In business, all your networking events and relationships should have a direct impact on the bottom-line. If not, why do it?
Do you like networking? However, what is your actual return on investment (ROI) on your networking activities?
If you are a solopreneur or an entrepreneur, it's vitally important to watch the every dollar that you spend because it has a direct impact on your profitability.
Do you ever notice that at some of your networking events, you might not find as many decision-makers that you would like to see? Where are the decision-makers? You will probably discover lots of company employees, new companies, start-ups, part-time entrepreneurs and people thinking about starting a business. And, I find there are lots of sales people too. But, where are the decision-makers? If you want a sale, you must ask a decision-maker to do business with you. You must convince them to buy your product and service.
I used to love networking. I was excited to meet new people and all the potential sales deals that I was GOING to close. Right?
Most traditional networking is so unstructured. Most times, you are not even sure who will attend these events. Will you specific target market be there? Who will you connect with? Who will be interested in your product or service? How many centers of influences can you develop?
How do you connect with the people? What do you learn about these attendees, besides your name, company and a little about what they do? Do you really connect with them on a deeper level? What is their passion? Why did they start their own business? What's their favorite hobby? What is a little known fact that most people don't know about you? You never learn these interesting nuggets of information because, you are trying to sell them on your product or service. Or you're asking them who they know that will buy something from you. At most networking events, I find that most people are focused on themselves.
I believe that there is an alternative approach to networking. There is a better way. I call it “Online Group Networking”.. I have always been a connector. I love connecting people and helping people do deals together. If you truly embrace the web and comfortable with the Internet, why not use the web and technology to do networking too? Today, most people have affordable high speed Internet, powerful desk top, laptop or notebook computers and web cams too. With today's technology, why not try it?
Frankly, let's be honest. The traditional sales and marketing methods, strategies, tactics, ideas are costly, efficient and no longer effective. It is harder to reach decision-makers today. We have to discover new ways to attract, connect, engage them and create a truly unique experience. It is important that entrepreneurs and business owners get smarter with their time, money, assets and resources. It might be wise to find a better way to network besides attending a networking event and hoping to find good prospects.
I incorporated the web and technology into my own
networking activities. Today, I do the majority on my networking ONLINE by
conducting sessions on Wednesday at 11am EST and Thursday mornings at 8am EST
where we have five to ten people on the call. We also do ONLINE connections
with 3 or 4 way online calls to introduce clients and strategic partners to
other business opportunities. We call it “eWeb2Connect”.
It is amazing what you can do from with the
Internet these days. In 2010, we made over 1,060 connections and last year, we
did 1,470 connections. We have achieved at least 4,000 networking connections
since 2006. These networking connections were all accomplished by embracing the
power of the web! It is structured group networking. We connect and do deals –
all ONLINE less than 60 minutes. I know one company that generated at least
$8,000 gross sales from her connections on eWeb2Connect. And, there are other
benefits too: savings on networking memberships and event fees, gasoline,
transit time to these events and wear and tear of our personal and corporate vehicles.
Yes, ONLINE networking works!
This is one of my passions and I love making
connections too!
It is my version of social media. We are coming
together connecting and socializing by using the web. During these sessions, we
are not trying to sell to each other, but, learning, teaching, sharing and
supporting one another. eWeb2Connect is focused on entrepreneurship and it is
educational and inspirational too. It is a great opportunity to connect with
other entrepreneurs and business owners from different industries who are
experts in their professions. Although we are experts in what we do, we all
have specific issues and challenges and we are looking for solutions. Lastly,
eWeb2Connect can be a lead source too. Most participants discover great referral
opportunities also. This forum creates an atmosphere that encourages
eWeb2Connect participants support each other in their businesses.
Actually, eWeb2Connect is really not networking.
We call it “NetWeaving”.
In fact, we are conducting “NetWeaving” sessions
and not networking sessions. Have you ever heard of the term NetWeaving? The
netweaving philosophy created by Master NetWeaver Bob Littell (www.netweaving.com). NetWeaving is 180
degrees different from traditional networking. Back in the 1996, I attended one
of Bob speeches and was very impressed. With NetWeaving, people are encouraged
to share and not sell. I thought that it was a terrific idea that I was doing
actually doing during the networking session that I attended. Bob defined and
start promoting it to the world. This master NetWeaver has sold two books about
the concept and has been successful raising money for charity. I just apply the
NetWeaving concept to the web! Instead of networking face-to-face, we do it
ONLINE.
Additionally, we turn it into new media – because
we broadcast live over the Internet using the BlogTalk Radio platform. People
can join and listen to eWeb2Connect ONLINE by utilizing their personal
computers. And, that networking session is turned into a podcast too. So, if
anybody misses the session, they can listen to it later. Also, invited
participants can share the link or download it in a MP3 audio file to their
clients, friends, associates and strategic partners and center of influences.
Additionally, we post everyone's company information for additional
exposure on Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, Google Plus and as a blog post
too.
It is efficient, productive,
cost effective and ONLINE!! Participants are able to introduce themselves,
share their passion, describe their business and educate others about what
makes them special!
If you have questions, check
out our eWeb2Connect
web page, listen an eWeb2Connect
overview and a past eWeb2Connect
session. Listen to us on iTunes. Email me at Ken@eWeb2Sales.com. Join us for our next
weekly sessions! As mentioned, we conduct our eWeb2Connect
sessions on Wednesdays at 11am EST (8am PST) for the west coast and for
companies in the mountain and central time zones. On eWeb2Connect on Thursdays at 8am EST we do
eWeb2Connect for companies on the east coast.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Darryl Brown
404 957 9193
Ken's Business Profile
Follow Me on Twitter! @eWeb2Sales & @KenE3C
Ken@eWeb2Sales.com
www.eWeb2Sales.com (Sales, Profitability, Social & New Media Coaching)
Ken's Media Page: www.eweb2sales.com/media/
Ken's Results & Testimonials: www.eweb2sales.com/results www.eweb2sales.com/testimonials
"Our PASSION is delivering INCREASED SALES and PROFITS by EMBRACING the WEB and IMPROVING your BUSINESS SYSTEMS, WEB PRESENCE, COMPANY WEBSITE, SOCIAL and NEW MEDIA EFFORTS."
