At a recent TEAM referral network event in Santa Anita, I was fortunate to meet Sabrina Gibson, a Social Media guru. She was giving away Pokens, the hottest new thing to make your connections easier. I had never seen them before, but got it right away. This will make collecting relevant information so much easier! Just wanted to pass on the information so you can get started with this device as well.
Wouldn't it be cool to be able to meet people, and get their contact information right away, without needing a pen or paper? Poken solves the problem of remembering email addresses and screen names of every one so you can contact them again. It allows you to quickly swap information. Just touch Pokens and connect. Poken holds your contact information: name, address, email, mobile phone, and your social networking account names: FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others. Already know your friends profiles? Even better: when you Poken and they Poken, you will automatically have updates when they open a new social networking account. As soon as your friend has registered his Poken, and you have registered yours, the information automatically appears in the Poken hub. And what is really cool? You can follow your Twitter account right in the Poken hub as well, and even update it from there. Hope you get on the bandwagon soon, so when we next meet, we can Poken as well.
I took time out from my regular Saturday schedule and went to a cooking class with Chef David Anderson at Madeleine Bistro,Tarzana, CA. He and Molly are always a lot of fun, and they attract some interesting people into their restaurant and to his classes. When are there, David and Molly remember you, and are always happy to see you. I saw this during the class when one of their customers, Sara Gilbert, came in with her two kids. Molly pulled out a basket of child-focused materials, and the youngest one was quickly distracted with her treasures until the food was ready to take home. Molly and Chef David have their own family, so their restaurant has a real family feel to it.
Yes, you need to have time to do fun things that just add balance to your life. And if along the way you meet people who may later be interested in what you do, it's all good. Many of the participants in the class are regulars, and people I would like to see again. Be aware that many networking opportunities may present themselves along the way. If it sounds like fun, do it, and some great new people may show up in your life.
In the course of my networking journey, I go to a ton of meetings.One of the first regular networking groups that I joined was a local “leads” group. It was a free-standing group, without affiliation to either a chamber of commerce or a national leads group.I enjoyed the camaraderie of the group, and even though I was acknowledged as giving more referrals than any other member, it did not lead to an expansion of my business.So after well over a year, I decided to move on.
Although this is not meant to be a total list, some of the more common groups you may have heard of are Business Networking International (BNI), LeTip International, and a new group in my area, TEAM Networking groups. In your area, there may also be groups that are strictly local, such as my first networking group, and it is worthwhile sorting them out.
Before joining such a group, there are things to consider.
What constitutes a Leads Group?
Meetings are held regularly, as often as weekly.
Only one representative of a category is allowed, e.g. only one realtor, or financial planner, or mortgage broker, or electrician, or computer specialist, or, whatever.
Most such groups would prefer that you only belong to their group, because how can you give referrals to multiple realtors, or mortgage brokers, or etc.?
Advantages of a Leads Group:
Meeting every week allows you to get to know the other members.
When members get to know you, they will feel comfortable using your service.
When they get to know you, they will give you referrals.
Depending on the leads group, members may have been screened before they are invited to join the group.
You may be mentored in the group so that your networking skills improve.
The group may offer training programs, especially if your group is part of a larger organization.
Disadvantages of a Leads Group:
The initial fee may be as pricey as joining a chamber of commerce or a national organization.
There may be a renewal fee.
There are monthly dues, whether you are able to attend a meeting or not.
You may be penalized if you miss a number of meetings.
They may expect you to find a replacement for you if you need to be absent.
There may be penalties if you do not supply other members with referrals.
The members may not be people you choose to do business with, or feel comfortable giving referrals to.
Be sure you visit the group as many times as they allow, before you are obliged to make a decision.Find out what you get for the initiation fee, and will it help you.If there is mentoring within the group, take advantage of it.If there are training workshops, be sure to attend.Make your membership work for you.And finally, if you have the chance to take a more active role in the group, offer to be the greeter at the meetings.This way you get to meet everyone who comes to the group as a visitor.Those folks may also be good candidates for your business or service.
connect. Poken holds your contact information: name, address, email, mobile phone, and your social networking account names: FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others. Already know your friends profiles? Even better: when you Poken and they Poken, you will automatically have updates when they open a new social networking account. As soon as your friend has registered his Poken, and you have registered yours, the information automatically appears in the Poken hub. And what is really cool? You can follow your Twitter account right in the Poken hub as well, and even update it from there.
