Is it time to hire a professional Networker?
It used to be that people said there was 6 degrees of separation between everyone. A lot of people know that Kevin Bacon game that people play to prove it. They name a movie that so-and-so played with Kevin, who worked with your cousins, the gardener for your friends’ uncles, and BOOM… there you have it! Someone you know who knows someone who knows Kevin Bacon! There’s also the Hollywood version that proves that everyone in Hollywood is connected to Kevin Bacon through whatever number of projects they’ve worked on. You understand!
I am finding more and more that networking is one of the best business skills of all time. It can move mountains and create opportunities that didn’t exist until you meet that special someone. And now, with the power of the Internet, the world has shrunk so that everyone is one another’s neighbors. You can literally network on the computer with people to stay in touch with the PERSON you need to meet. It’s amazing!
We’re knocking on the door of the nice guys club and it feels GREAT!
But how do you get in? How do you get it started? Well, one way that I have found is to HIRE a professional Networker?
What are you asking and how is he different from a publicist or marketing person? In my opinion, Public Relations is how to position yourself or a company in the media or before the public. These people can be excellent sources for you. They will do articles that feature you or send out press releases about you or make calls for you.
Marketing people will do a similar job, but they will make more repeat calls and your or company’s branding.
The Professional Networker? They position themselves anywhere and let people know how good you are. As long as they know someone who fits the perfect customer profile, they’ll introduce you as a friend-to-friend contact. It’s much less intimidating and much more casual. You have to select someone who is a natural networker. Choose a person who is friends with the rich, famous and powerful. It doesn’t have to be the rich and powerful, just someone who isn’t afraid to meet them!
I’m one of those self-made people, I guess. I didn’t have any connection that pushed me to do anything I’ve done, but I was blessed with a good education, parents who supported me, and a mother who pushed me out the door when I graduated, but on top of that, I’ve been the one who has created and maintained my contacts over the years.
Just on a trip, the people I’ve met can help me or my clients so much! I met the president of the cell phone company that I need to get a new contract and phone from. I met the president of the textile company who could invest in another business of my friend who is raising money for his business. I put the textile president in touch with my friend Josh, the Broadway producer, who asked me if he would be interested in investing in a Broadway play.
Back at home, I actually get paid like a professional networker. I connect people to other people when they are trying to find people to sell or recruit to. I am also being considered for this position by a recruiting company.
The techniques I use are exactly the same as when I was a conference agent years ago. My job was to unite two people or two companies. The goal is to find out who needs what and who they need or want to know. As I get to know the companies and their needs, I can automatically select from a mental list of people who would fit the position they are looking for. I’m not a full time recruiter, but I have the same skills and have been paid when I’ve made some decent connections.
Turns out I know a lot of people. I know people in almost every working profession in every walk of life. I know or have met people all over the country and most people are always up for meeting someone new.
Skills can be taught, learned and definitely used! It takes a lot of energy and follow through, but it’s worth it in the long run. These are some of the valuable connections I’ve made; some have brought me finders fees, some have not, but here they are:
o I’ve Got Up And Coming stars an agent. One became a gig regular on the Rosanne Barr show after I got her an agent. Others have made money for years from their public speaking.
o I have put a lot of people in radio and television because I introduced them to the presenters or the producers or the publicists
o I have helped financial companies recruit salespeople
o I have helped financial professionals meet new clients
o I have introduced men to women and women to men. (There is at least 1 marriage, but many great relationships were established!)
o I’ve featured two TV newscasters in the same city who are on competing stations and I haven’t even been to their city!
o I have helped friends and clients get tickets to big events, met top notch attorneys, met business partners, helped get items for silent auctions, and helped moms find good babysitters.
Networking is the answer to your problem. If you need to meet more people, hire more people, recruit more people, or sell to more people, you can either become a networking expert or hire someone who is. Why cold call when you can walk in the back door? Working smart can save you time and can earn you money.
It’s time you started doing what the stars have known all along. It’s not who you know, but who you can KNOW that matters. So it’s all up to you!