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George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

Networking Genie

 

 

 

 

If you found the networking genie in the bottle would you know what to ask for?

Have you watched some networkers stumbling around at a networking event? They don’t know what to say when they meet a new person. They don’t even know how to answer when asked a question.

You stumble upon the networking genie-bottle. You rub the bottle and out pops the networking genie.

The genie informs that you can create your perfect network. Instead of the ‘three wishes’ you get to wish for the three perfect contacts in your perfect network. You only need three people in the perfect network. It would save you a lot of time and money and sharpen your focus.

So imagine if you could create a perfect network of just three people. Who would you want in your perfect network? The genie is waiting for your answer. Genies are not patient creatures. Neither would you be if cooped up in a magic bottle.

Hint: Don’t ask for three clients.

Instead ask for three very different people. Each of them is valuable to you in their own way. Together they make the perfect network for you. Think about the true purpose of your networking.


Your Perfect Network – only three people

A The Client who buys from you, will write a powerful testimonial and is there for reference.

B The connector who never buys from you - but who sells to your favorite type of client and is well connected. This person’s word is trusted and priceless. This person will only recommend you after they trust you. If you are smart you will invest a lot to build their trust.

C The socializer who seems to know everybody and everybody likes him. He can make tons of connections. Most don’t pay off because they are made on social value. But this person likes you and speaks well of you and will introduce you to everyone.

If you find the networking genie – ask for those three people.

If you can’t wait to find the genie – then find those three people on your own.

© George Torok is the author of “Your Guide to Networking Success”. He is the co-author of the national bestseller, “Secrets of Power Marketing”, the first guide to personal marketing for the non-marketer. As host of the weekly radio show he has interviewed over 400 business leaders. Order your copy of “Your Guide to Networking Success” at http://www.business-networking-tips.net/  

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

Power Marketing Tip #61: How to Build a More Productive Network

How to Build a More Productive Network

There are many theories and misunderstandings about networking. Let’s shed some clarity on the subject and remove some of the stress.

Should you network?

That’s the wrong question. The right question is “How can you network more productively?”

The short answer is to network with the right people and follow a simple yet effective networking system.

The most common mistake is to believe that your network should be composed of potential customers, i.e. prospects. There might be some prospects in your network but don’t build your network on that hope.

Instead build your network with people who might introduce or refer you to prospects. Why? Because that approach leverages the power of those connections to spread your value. The contacts in your network can become marketing agents for you. Naturally you need to build relationships with those potential marketers.

Some contacts are better connecters than others. The best connecters could provide you with many leads over time. For that reason you need to build the relationships. But you might not know which contacts will be most helpful.

For that reason you need to follow a simple, effective and efficient system for building those networking relationships.

Three guidelines to follow

A productive network is based on people who are willing to help you. This means that you must first help them. Give before you get and don’t begrudge it.

Stay in touch with your network. Use more than one method of connecting. This might include a mix of email, web posts, phone calls, formal events and coffee meetings. The most valuable contacts need face-to-face contact. Be sure to demonstrate value with each connection that you make.

Create and maintain a database of your network contacts. Record the contacts and be sure to note the details of each connection, especially when you plan to connect next.

Networking is an imperfect process. It’s best to follow a simple system that works well for you. Remember, someone you know can connect you with someone who wants to buy what you offer.

Learn how to create and follow your networking system.

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

You Won the Jackpot!

The phone rang and I answered. It was an automated call that said something like “You’ve won 260,000 reward points. Press “one” now if you want to learn more.”

I recently cashed-in points to get a coffee maker. While looking at the other items available I noticed that I could cash in my remaining 3400 points for a tablet computer, digital SLR camera or iPod Touch.

I couldn’t imagine what 260,000 points might offer. So I pressed “one”. I was intrigued and greedy.

The live person came on the line and said, “Can you confirm that you are over the age of 30?”

That seemed like a strange thing to say.

If you are calling about a program that I’m registered you know my age. You don’t need to ask. So that probably means you’re not calling about a program that I’m registered with.

Naturally I said, “If you have my information, why are you asking my age?”

There was a few seconds of silence, and then the line went dead. He hung up on me. He was trying to sell me something and got caught in his lie. So he bailed.

Most people are registered in a least one reward points program so this caller was trying to leverage that to his advantage.  The caller was also counting on the listener to assume that the reward points were one of the ones she was registered in. And yes, women tend to register for reward points more than men.

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

How do you feel when the bank calls you?

How do you feel when the bank calls you?

I’ve learned that the bank and credit card company never calls to give good news. They usually call to sell insurance – even though the person states “This is a courtesy call.”

Sometimes they have bad news (account overdrawn, missed a payment or market collapse)  – but they don’t call me with that – they prefer to send a letter. It takes longer, they can charge more for the INTEREST and the letter was written by their lawyers.

Why did the Small Business Advisor call at 4:58PM on Friday to announce that she wanted to talk with me? Her voice message stated that she was leaving at 5:00pm and I should call her on Monday.

The reason I should call her is “She wants to talk to me.”

What does that mean?

Is there a problem or are you trying to sell me something?

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

Best Marketing Advice for Marketing on an Embarassing Budget

This list from Carol Roth includes 39 creative tips on how to market your business on an embarasslingly limited budget.

Number 32 on the list is from me (George Torok). It's the shortest tip on the list and perhaps the most practical and effective, (in my opinion - you decide).

32. Write the Magic Words

Hand write and send thank you notes to your clients, associates and the media. The other note to send is congratulations. This is unusual, personal and thus, memorable.

Some of the other tips that stand out are:

1. Karma Pays

Two words: help people. Be it via written content, through social media, at local networking events - whatever opportunity you have to help your target consumer base, take it - and put your all into it. People want to help good people. You'd be surprised how much "free" word of mouth you can get your business simply by showing you're the kind of person who helps others without any strings attached. It's certainly worked for me. Karma- it pays.

Thanks to: Rae Hoffman of Sugarrae.

5. On a Budget? Be Controversial!

When I say 'controversial' I mean say something unexpected to get people to talk. Take the government shut down. In a sea of "Democrats are wrong!" and "Republicans are wrong!" suddenly your message is, "Here's why the shutdown is great!". It instantly stands out and provokes discussion, passes on links, possible media queries and so on, all for free. Of course, make sure that you can back up your claims and that they match your business model. It's amazing marketing on a budget, and one I always use.

Thanks to: David Weber of Learn About Flow.

13. Tell a Story in Six Seconds

As a bootstrapping startup in the legal field, it has been both challenging and exciting to come up with scrappy marketing techniques. One of the best pieces of advice for marketing on a budget I've seen is using Vine for a Q & A session.

Gary Vaynerchuk said it best, "Time is our biggest asset. What Vine does, is it gives you a promise that this is only six seconds of your time."

Find a creative way to tell a story to your market in six seconds.

Thanks to: Janine Holsinger of NextChapter.

23. Videos Grab Attention

YouTube is the second most searched site on the internet. Create a promo-video yourself on the cheap by using MS Movie Maker or go to fiverr.com and get a video produced for only $5-$20 depending on length and quality.

The promo video can then be placed on your website. QR codes (done for free) can drive people to your video and you can use the video for social campaigns - then, get it transcribed and pdf'd, cut out the voice/music for a podcast. Leverage one video into multi-usable content.

Thanks to: Curtis Chappell of Quantum SEO Solutions.

If you like these and want to read more visit The Best Marketing Advice

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

Power Marketing Tip #60: Why settle for what you are worth?

Are you struggling to be paid what you are worth? Why settle for so little?

In my experience very few people are paid what they are worth. There seems to be a great number of people paid less than they're worth and many who're paid more than they're worth.

On which side of that dividing line would you rather be?

If you're like me you might prefer to be paid more than you're worth. How can you make this happen?

First, consider how we decide worth.

Consider these choices:

1. What is the worth of a hamburger at a family restaurant?
2. What is the worth of a steak dinner at that same restaurant?
3. What is the worth of the steak dinner at a fine dining restaurant?
4. What is the worth of eating the hamburger while chatting with Richard Branson?

Notice that there are two parts that can affect the worth. The core element is the food. By changing the food you can marginally change (increase or decrease) the worth.

The second element is the experience. By changing the experience you can dramatically change the worth.

The ratio of cost to worth is proportionally highly for the core element versus the experience. This means that you'll realize a much better return on your investment by improving the experience.

The lesson is that if you only focus on improving the core element of your product or service then it will be difficult for you to receive more than you're worth. If you want to dramatically increase your price, then make changes in the experience.

If you are in a competitive market and find that prospects and clients view your offering as a commodity you'll feel pressured to compete on price and likely receive less than you're worth.

When faced with a competitive market, change how you deliver your core element to improve your worth in the perception of your clients.

If you want to get paid more than you're worth, focus less on what you sell and more on how you sell.

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter