Where's Juli?
Upcoming Events
Introverted Networking
Time: Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 6-8PM
Location: Hunan Chef, 5085 Westfields Blvd (by Safeway)
Centreville, VA 20120
Cost: $40
Want to network with other introverts? Come network with us. Lauren Kirby of Turn Around, LLC and I will be hosting and facilitating this event.
RSVP to me
Springfield Chamber of Commerce Speed Networking
Time: Friday, May 22, 2009 from 8:45 to 10:00 AM
Location: Holiday Inn Express
6401 Brandon Ave
Springfield, VA 22150
Cost: $20 for Chamber Members, $30 for non-members
I will be facilitating the event.
Register Here
Netmasters Training Group
Time: Thursday, May 28, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Location:Century 21 New Millennium Building in Kingstowne (by Safeway)
5990 Kingstowne
Towne Center
Alexandria, VA 22315
Cost: $15
Subject: F-Up With Style! (That's Follow Up, of course. Shame on you if you thought something else.)
RSVP to me
Alexandria Business Connections
Time: Thursday, June 4, 2009 from 7:30-9:00 AM
Location: St. Elmo's
Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Avenue,
Alexandria, VA
Cost: Free
I will be the guest speaker at this meeting.
RSVP here
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Juli Monroe
1 to 1 Discovery
571-220-1891
juli_monroe@yahoo.com
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Greetings!
Apologies to the Immortal Bard, but sometimes it's just too easy.
Many of you are in single person per
profession networking groups, like BNI, NRG and the like. One of the
selling points of these types of groups is often the "single
person per profession" part. In other words, your competition
isn't in the room with you, unlike in a Chamber of Commerce or
similar organization.
When I started my networking career, I
heard that message often enough that I started to think Chambers
weren't worth the time. Fortunately, I learned otherwise fairly
quickly, and I am currently a very happy member of my own Chamber.
Some things are the same, no matter what organization you belong to.
But there are some very specific things you can do to get the most
out of your Chamber membership, and I want to discuss them in
this article.
Read on... |
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Getting the Most Out of Your Chamber Membership
As with any organization, showing up is
the most important part. Being a Chamber member and doing nothing
with that membership might not bring you the results you are looking
for. So going to mixers is a good first step. Most Chambers have
them at different times of day: morning and evening, mostly, though
some also feature lunch events. If you can go to all the events,
that's great. Obviously, that will allow you to meet the most people. But
if you can only do some, that will work too. The important thing is
for fellow members to see your face and learn a little bit about who
you are.
Many people have told me that, when
they can, they prefer to use the services of Chamber members. But
they have to know you exist before they can use you. Attending events and being known is one
way to set yourself apart from your competitors. For example, there
are six Realtors currently in my Chamber. One I see perhaps once a
quarter. Another I see at least once a month. And the other four? I
just checked their names in the membership listing. I can't remember
ever seeing any of them. So if a Chamber member who attends meetings
regularly wants to use another member for their real estate needs,
which one do you think they'll pick? Probably the ones who show up at
events. And the one who gets the first shot will likely be the one
who is there the most.
Another way to work the events is to
look at the room as full of doors to be opened rather than as full of
potential clients. Many people who attend Chamber events get this one
wrong. They run around the room, handing out their cards, assuming
that is networking and will get them business. Long-time readers of
this newsletter know how I feel about that. And what I do with those
cards!
Merely meeting someone at an event is
not going to get them to buy your product or service-unless you sell
gifts baskets, and an important date is less than a week away. But
most of us do not sell products that can be bought on impulse. If you
have something we want, we will probably use you, but not if you
annoy us by telling us we are your ideal client. Give us the freedom
to make that decision on our own.
So how do you not annoy us? Find those
doors you need opened. Looking for a mentor? There may be one in the
room. Looking for a vendor? Ditto. Looking for a resource for your
clients? Odds are someone in the room can help. Need an introduction
to a particular industry? Find the person who might be connected.
When you look at the room this way, you
are looking for ways that you and others can help each other. And that's
how you start building a solid business relationship.
Be open to other people wanting to
build a relationship with you. As I was writing this article, I got a
call from someone I met at a Chamber event last month. He is looking
for people to partner with (i.e. refer his clients to). He complained
to me that one of the people he wants to refer was at that event, and
he tried to set up a meeting with her. Her response? "Are you
serious about using my services, or do you just want a 'get to know
me' meeting?" Hmm...was she looking for clients or doors? I gave
him the contact information for someone who gets it and will see that
he has the potential to be a great door-opener. Too bad for the other person. She's missing out on a real opportunity.
Finally, get involved with your
organization. Volunteer for a committee. Sponsor an event. Sponsor
the organization. Being involved will allow you to meet the
leadership. They will appreciate your time and
willingness to help. And don't you tend to call leaders first if you
need something? Well so does everyone else. So how about if your name is
first on their list, instead of your competition's?
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 Who Won Coffee?
Remember last month when I invited you to visit my Facebook Page and fan me.
The lucky winner is...drum roll please...
Karen McKinney of Baskets-n-Bags, Inc! Stop by Karen's site and check out her great baskets. Oh, and she is also an awesome networker. If you don't know her, you should.
Please forward this newsletter to anyone who might need the information, or my services.
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