Sometimes the best contacts not only takes months to build, but years.
There are moments when you luck out—you’ll go to a networking event and you’ll find someone who immediately needs your services or product. But most of the time, your best contact will come weeks, months, if not years later.
Lately I’ve been receiving phone calls from people I met last year or even the year before! I met them at networking groups I no longer attend. But they still had my business card.
What’s the most important thing when starting a business? Just get out there and network, network, network! You never know what business card you hand out could lay that golden egg!
It’s all about getting out there and building relationships.
(Photo via YourProsperityPlus.com)
This week is fun because you’re picking your Wordpress Theme for your small business website!
There are two types of Wordpress themes: free and premium (paid).
- If you have a couple of extra bucks to spend, I’d highly recommend buying a premium theme. Most cost between $30-90 and provide technical support in their forums in you have issues as well as a how-to manual for installation and use. Not only that, many times you’re able to customize these themes a lot easier because they come with simple buttons to change the colors. If you’re talking SEO, these themes are the way to go.
Google ‘Wordpress Premium Themes’ for a full listing of available options. Here are a few I’ve used and enjoy:
-WP Remix
-DIY Themes
When building a self-hosted Wordpress site for your small business or endeavor, you’ll need a domain name and a host.
Picking your domain name:
To break it down further—what address are people going to type in to find your website? Twolia’s domain name is www.twolia.com. Unclaimed domain names are typically inexpensive and cost an average of $10/year. GoDaddy.com is an excellent place to start your domain name search. Pick a good one!
Choosing a host:
The next thing you’ll need for a self-hosted Wordpress site is a host. Think of it as real estate rental in cyber space—your files need a space to call home. When dealing with website hosting, always remember that cheap isn’t necessarily the best option. You also need to make sure the host is Wordpress Compatible. This is super important. Host Gator or Blue Host have good reputations and work well with Wordpress.
Facebook Walls.
Utilize Facebook as a platform to showcase your videos. Post the video to your profile. Type in a brief content description (1-2 sentences) and ask your friends to click “Share” and pass on the good find if they like the video. This will post your video to their wall giving you more exposure.
Ask Bloggers.
If you have a really great video that pertains to a certain blog, contact the blogger. Tell them why your video is helpful to their readers and ask them to post the video, but only if they like it. Do your research and don’t just approach any blogger.
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Unless you’re a giant company or have lots of funding for a fancy web designer, marketing, and kick-butt SEO…
Why not use self-hosted Wordpress to build your business website?
Wordpress has everything you need– thousands of free templates (although I recommend paying for a premium theme), built-in SEO, plugins, and ease-of-use. Most people think of Wordpress as being a bloggers-only platform, but that’s simply not true anymore. Wordpress actually has both blog and static pages, the perfect combination for your social media needs.
If you’re not into figuring out Wordpress on your own, it’s easy to find someone who can install a theme for a reasonable price. I’d recommend customizing the theme with your own banner and jazzing up the pages with stock photos.
Have you sent holiday cards to clients and your network?
Part of being a kick-butt networker is taking care of the small details. The holidays are upon us and many take this time to appreciate those who have helped us as well as those we have helped.
Take the time to go through your files and make a list of business contacts you’d really like to thank this holiday season. Instead of blanketing your entire database with generic cards, pick a handful of very important contacts and handwrite a thank you note.
Don’t forget to double check they are multi-purpose holiday cards! Not everyone celebrates the same holiday.
When I first started networking for my business, I was positive I could keep all of my contacts straight and remember people. That worked really well for the first few months before it all went to hell.
It’s very important to keep some sort of contact database. Mine is very elementary as I can’t be bothered inputting information and spending another moment on my computer. Here’s how I do it:
1. After I attend an event, I write all over the business cards. I note random facts about the person (traveled to Fiji, dog named Fido, etc.), what they’re looking for ($500k income for investments, looking to franchise, etc.), how they might be able to help me, etc.
2. I keep a binder filled with plastic business card sleeves and simply slide the cards into the next available slots.
3. If the contact turns out to be someone of particular interest, they get separated from the riff-raff moved into my ‘special’ little Rolodex of love.
4. In client files, I write down how they were referred and if they have made any referrals in the past.
That’s right, no fancy software or extra exerted energy. My ‘ghetto’ database (as someone once called it) works for me.
Have you ever walked out of a networking event and thought, “what waste of time”? We all have at some point.
Here are a few tips to enable you never waste your time again.
- Be picky about the events you attend. I typically rely on word-of-mouth before I go to a networking event. I always ask who will be there and what types of businesses are represented. If I don’t think it’ll be a good fit for my purpose, I don’t go.
- Understand that networking is hit or miss. You might make five connections at one meeting and nothing at the next. It’s also important to realize that while people might not need your product or service now, you never know when they will. I have received phone calls and gained new clients more than a year after meeting someone at a networking event!
Networking to help others before helping yourself might seem counter-intuitive to some, but it’s not. In fact, this works just like karma- everything you give will be given back to you and more. Supposedly.
When you’re in a networking scene and asking others to help spread the gospel about you….don’t forget to ask others: How can I help you?
Instead of always making everything about yourself, become a connector.
Check it out:
Juan’s Taco Palapa and Sally’s Salsa might not have anything to do with your company, UnderWaterBasketWeaving, but introduce them anyway. Trust me, when Juan’s customers drive 200 miles for that kick-butt salsa on his tacos, he’ll have to keep buying more of Sally’s Salsa and both will be happy you made the connection! 
Now that you have created your networking goals, carved out time from your oh-so-busy schedule, decided upon the people to schmooze, and perfected your 20 second introduction…
It’s time to recruit others to help spread the gospel about YOU!
Think about the people who can help you reach your target audience:
- Who can give you a stellar recommendation?
- Is there a particular person whose testimonial would help you tremendously?
- Are there any reciprocal relationships that would benefit everyone involved?
Make a list of key people who are in front of your potential clients on a regular basis and keep in close contact with them. Ask if they’d mind keeping their eyes and ears open for you. Most people are happy to help and provide referrals if they know how great your work is and can rely on you.
