Successful Entrepreneurs Are Strategic Networkers

by | Feb 5, 2018 | Entrepreneurship, Planning Your Business, Taking Action, Video, Weekday Wisdom

Weekday Wisdom, Episode 24

Do you network strategically? That’s what I’m going to talk about in today’s Weekday Wisdom.

Successful entrepreneurs are stragetic networkers

Today I want to talk about strategic networking. This is the 10th and final trait of successful entrepreneurs. If you missed any of the first nine, I’ve listed them here:

I’ve often heard that successful entrepreneurs are good networkers. However, I added “strategic” because you don’t just network for networking’s sake. You don’t show up at every networking opportunity just because it’s there. Your time is valuable.

You need to be selective about your networking opportunities. You want to go to networking meetings where people are there who are either

  1. potential clients or
  2. potential partners.

If the attendees are neither, you’re just going they’re either to practice or to be nice. For example, a few months ago I spoke at an American Business Women’s Association meeting. Businesswomen, in general, are not necessarily my market. However, there may have been some of someone there who was in my market.

However, the main reasons I did this event was that

  1. A friend asked me and I will do anything for this friend. She’s awesome.
  2. I’m able to talk about a topic that is relevant to my business. I’m video recorded, creating another asset for my business. And
  3. They gave me a free dinner. Hey! I’ll take a free dinner.

In other words, I was being strategic about this networking opportunity. It gave me value back.

Whenever you’re given a networking opportunity, be strategic about it. There needs to be a return on your investment of time. Your time is valuable. So, make sure that you are getting value out of that event, whether it’s getting in front of potential clients, getting in front of potential JV partners or vendors that you’re looking for, or the opportunity to create an asset for your business like I did. Again, it’s that strategic aspect that makes networking effective.

When I was younger, I would go to every network meeting that I thought might be a fit or that I was invited to. I ended up being uncomfortable, bored, wasting money, and wasting time. I really needed to be doing better things with my time. None of that networking did me any good.

You need to make the shift from, “I’ll just go to get out of my house,” to “I am using this as an opportunity that does something for me, as well.”

I’m not saying don’t be of service. You absolutely should be of service when you are networking. But that’s once you get there. Don’t go there if being of service there doesn’t do you any good either. That would be a waste of time.

I can’t stress this enough. Being strategic about your networking is so important. It values your time. And, on top of that, when you are in a networking environment where you are getting something out of being there, you’re being of service is more authentic. It helps the people who are there, because if you chose that networking opportunity strategically, then you have something to offer the people who are there. The chances are increased that you will meet someone who is a, “Yes! You are the perfect mentor!” Or perfect partner, or perfect whatever it is. Synergy will happen.

However, if you are not strategic about networking opportunities, you end up having nothing more than casual small talk, and maybe a mediocre chicken dinner. What’s the point?

That completes the 10 traits of successful entrepreneurs. All of these are something that you can cultivate. Like today’s: You can cultivate it by learning about a networking opportunity before you go there. Ask yourself, “Can I be of service to these people? Will I gain something out of being of service to those people?”

It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re making money. It just means you get something, like I’m getting a video asset out of mine on Monday.

Over the next seven videos, I’m going to be talking about vanquishing mind goblins. These are all the mindset gunk that we have in our head that stop us from moving forward as entrepreneurs. I’ll be giving you some tips on how to beat these mind goblins, as well. So, stay tuned. I’ll be back tomorrow.

Remember
Don’t box yourself in.
Spread your wings and fly.
Because you — yes you! — are capable of more than you know.

Please post a comment belowIf you liked this episode, please like the video on YouTube. Comment below with your ideas, thoughts and questions. Hey! Add in some suggestions for what you’d like me to cover in future episode. I would love, love, love, love, to hear from you. What do you want to know what can I help you with? Comment below with your suggestions. I really do want to make the Weekday Wisdom something that is valuable to you and that you look forward to watching.

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