Recently one of my readers contacted me to see if I had heard about BlitzTime a new way to network by phone. So I checked it, I LOVE it and I would like to let you know about this concept, because, in addition to what you do now it is a new way to network. Since I moved to Miami almost two years ago, I personally changed the way I network. I now attend very few live events. I only belong to two groups and don’t try to run out to every event in the city. I realized that I actually had a better results networking directly by internet, either with social media or by publishing articles online. In My French Consulting Business, My French Network, I have also had the same experience. Currently I have about 4 to 5 new people contacting me a week, from France, Belgium, Switzerland and Africa. I definitely never had networks in all of the listed countries but now I have a big presence online. Same in my networking business, I don’t get my clients from live events but via internet from all over the US.You select the events related to your business, sign up, you get on the call with other people, and then you will have 5 minutes one on one with 10 to 12 people per hour. You never know who you will talk to, but as soon as the session startyou see their profile with picture and links to their website on your screen .
The reason why I really love it, is first you don’t need to leave the house or office, so you don’t waste time in transportation, second it is the same concept of speed networking but you are in the comfort of your place, and don’t have the noise of 20 people speaking at the same time in the room. When you meet somebody at alive event you speak for 5 minutes, you don’t focus entirely because you also notice what is happening in the room. You also spend time looking for the next person to talk to, but with BlitzTime during those 5 minutes you only focus on the other person and can surf their website at the same time, so you learn more about them in 5 minutes than in a live event, and vice versa. And last but not least what is more important - instead of meeting people only from your city, suddenly the world becomes your networking playground. I already attended 5 events in 2 weeks, and met people from so many cities. It is helpful because you gain more exposure than networking in local events only.
I joined 3 groups, and had the chance to speak with various people from different cities numerous times. We had a chance to talk more and learn about each other.
Of course, however, after the event, it is the same as any kind of networking. You have to wonder how to follow-up with your new contacts. If you don’t keep in touch with those people - it will be a waste of time.
Once the event is finished you will receive an email from BlitzTime with the name of every person you talk to and have a link to their profile and can send them an email.I used to send the list of the attendees for my events when I was in New York, but very few groups give you this information. This is very convenient because the list is available only few minutes after the event. Here are some suggestions to make following-up easier:
1/ Send your email within an hour after you have finished, so you sure you won’t forget to keep the contact. – It is IMPORTANT that you don’t try to sell anything, but that you reintroduce yourself. Since you had only few minutes tospeak. Mention your website and newsletter or free offer (CD, report etc…) if you have one. Make sure to finish your email with a Call to Action – What do you want them to do next?
2/ Check if your new contacts are on Facebook, Linkedin, Plaxo, Twitter etc… and become “Their Friend” or “Follow Them” to grow your list.
3/ A week later, send them another email, to try to schedule a phone conversation, without BlitzTime so you will have more than 5 minutes to speak. 4/ A couple of weeks later later invite your new contacts to one of your events, seminars, or teleclass if you have one. Or record a 30 to 60 minutes presentation of your business and send them the CD.
5/ Send them a post card or a greeting card (I use and highly recommend SendOut Cards).
Read my article about SendOut Cards “How to increase referrals by keeping in touch with people that you meet!” about it ).
Here are only few ideas to keep in touch with your new contacts. The key in marketing, as in networking, is repetition, so it is important to have a follow-up system in place to send your message to your contacts and always know what is the next step, so you won't lose track of your follow-up. Remember to always finish your message with a “Call to Action”. Your goal is to bring people to your website and to sign-up for your newsletter, so then you will be sure to keep in touch with them on a weekly or monthly basis. They will learn more about you, get a chance to know you, sample your work and trust you. This way when they are ready to buy they will call you or refer you to other people.
© 2009 Biba F. Pédron
Need help to set up your follow-up system? Give me just 2 hours and I will help you save time and money putting your business on automatic pilot creating systems. Based on the "Power of Networking Secrets", we will:
* Review your actual marketing strategies,
* Brainstorm on new strategies to promote your business,
* Create a newsletter/ezine, the most effective, least expensive and easiest way to build a mailing list of prospects and get more sales,
* Create a follow-up system to attract a constant stream of new clients that will flow into your business - instead of chasing clients.
If you are in the Miami area, join me on June 27th at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood for aspecial one day event "Connect - Collaborate -Capitalize™"
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