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'Connecting is not Enough' - tips and tools to help you get a return from your networking
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Thanks to everyone who voted for both '...and Death Came Third!' and 'Recommended' in the Small Business Book Awards. While not winning, both performed very creditably in their category and I really appreciate your support.
We've arranged with Amazon and our publishers to discount sales of the Kindle edition of '...and Death Came Third!' for a limited time. So for the next week, you can download 'The Definitive Guide to Networking and Speaking in Public' onto your Kindle for the princely sum of £1.53.
I hope that you agree that's fantastic value. If you haven't read the book before, or if you've adopted the new technology since you bought your copy and would like to take it with you everywhere you go for easy reference, please do take advantage.
And, in the spirit of networking, please tell your friends!
Pick up your discounted copy here.
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Marianne Abib-Pech recently interviewed me for an Independent newspaper article on why networking is so important for young entrepreneurs.
You can read Marianne's article here.
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If you have any questions you'd like me to address either in this newsletter or on my blog, please either tweet me, post them onto our Facebook or LinkedIn pages or email them to me.
I always try to address as many as possible.
Happy Networking!
If you like what you read, please feel free to forward it and invite others to subscribe.
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If you have received this in error and don't want to receive future editions, please use the unsubscribe link at the foot of the email and accept my apologies.
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The perfect guest
Networking Top Tip
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When you arrange to attend a networking event, how much thought do you give to the people organising it? It's very easy to take events for granted and forget that many of the people behind them have been planning and organising for several weeks (or months in many cases) and are on tenterhooks on the day of the event, waiting to see if everything will pass without hiccups.
In many cases, the people who organise events are volunteers, doing so because of their passion for networking, or for the community they are bringing together. They will remember both the people who show that they appreciate their efforts, and also the people who take them for granted. But for very different reasons.
There are a few things you can do to recognise the efforts people make on your behalf:
1- If they are trying to grow their group, invite a guest who might fit well with the network and its objectives.
2 - If you have booked but can't attend, let people know and, if possible, explain why. Don't let the host of the event feel that you don't value their efforts.
3 - If you've enjoyed the event, contact the organiser and thank them. Let them know what you most enjoyed.
4 - If you make a good connection which leads to some business, a new job or another opportunity, let the organisers know. Even if it's months down the line.
It doesn't take much to show your appreciation and make people feel valued. Unfortunately, most people don't do so, but that simply leaves an opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd...in a positive way.
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Why Connecting is not Enough
Recommended Video Tip
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Some people may wonder about my business strapline 'Connecting is not Enough'. This video explains my philosophy, and why it's the depth of relationships that counts, not just the number of connections.
 | | Why connecting is not enough - the trick to building a strong network |
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Bits & pieces | |
I've mentioned my good friend Geoff Ramm in this section before. Geoff is a marketing expert and one of the best speakers it's been my privilege to see and to work with.
Geoff is celebrating his 10th anniversary in business with a fantastic event in his home town of South Shields on April 2nd. He's put together an excellent group of speakers and it will be a truly inspiring event.
I'm going and I strongly recommend it if you can get along. Details can be found here.
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With many people seeking to understand better how to use LinkedIn, there are more and more great resources available to help, a number of which I've featured in these e-zines.
A great e-book to add to those resources is 125 LinkedIn Job Search Tips from Position Ignition. As the title suggests, it is specifically geared towards people looking for new jobs but the advice is very good for all new users.
The authors have allowed me to share the book with you here. You can download it from the link below.
125 LinkedIn Job Search Tips.
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Networking Live: There are a few opportunities coming up to see me present on networking. Let me know if you can make any of them, I'd love to see you there:
7th March 2012 6pm Middlesbrough Enterprise Gateway, Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough.
'It's Who Knows You'
23rd March 2012 Federation of Small Businesses Annual Conference, Scarborough.
'Using LinkedIn as a Referral Tool'
28th March 2012 2pm Medilink UK National Networking Event, Manchester Conference Centre, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3BB.
'It's Who Knows You' |
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Penalty Fair?
Just for Fun
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After last weekend's dramatic penalty shoot out in the League Cup Final between Cardiff City and Liverpool, I wonder what would have happened if one of the players had approached their penalty like this...
 | | Back-Heel Goal in Penalty Kick |
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I hope you've enjoyed the newsletter and look forward to your feedback.
If you're serious about developing a networking and referrals strategy that can take your business to a new level, or you are interested in booking me for a speech or training session for your team, find out more details on our website or you can contact me on:
Tel: 07930 417833
Skype: andylopata
I look forward to hearing from you.
Andy
� All material copyright H & A Lopata ltd 2011. All rights reserved.
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Recommended: How to sell through networking and referrals.
Buy Now
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...and Death Came Third!
The Definitive Guide to Networking and Speaking in Public
Buy Now
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Kindle version
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In other people's words |
"I've worked with Andy at events where we were both speaking, and also as a delegate at one of his seminars. Not only is he a great guy to be around, (as he's always very considerate, amiable and fun,) his depth of knowledge of networking strategies is staggering. When presenting or speaking he has an easy to listen to style that grips the audience from the off and holds them. His insights are fascinating and more importantly he cares about helping the people he meets get the results they need. I cannot recommend Andy highly enough. "
John Hotowka, Laughter Dinner Speaker
"As an event and seminar photographer I get to hear lots of different speakers at nationwide events. I was really inspired and educated at Andy Lopata's talk. Andy really knows his stuff and helps people focus on why they are attending networking events, what are the best networking strategies and how to implement them. "
Dianna Bonner, Photographer
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