Happy New You!

New Years bring new opportunities. A few years ago, a participant in the elevator speech workshop, Steve Builta, took the time at the end of the year to reflect on his professional life over the prior 12 months. Then, he sent out messages to those who were influential, helpful, or simply appreciated. What a great idea!

Taking a few moments to process the year in review helps us focus on what is working for us. This in turn will help us do more of these activities in the year to come. But my friend Steve took it a critical step further. He sent out thank you notes to those he felt deserved one. I know this because I was a recipient. When I discovered I had done something that Steve thought so much of, I called and asked him out to lunch. Hey, when someone tells me I made them more money than anything else that year, my reaction was, "Oh, tell me more!"

Because in my class that year he discovered his true voice and learned how to comfortably offer his elevator speech more often, he grew his business. I was glad I could serve him. And as with most things in life, the rule of reciprocity comes in: he helped me too. I learned from Steve the importance of taking time out to learn from the year behind me.

But the real breakthrough was that Steve followed up. His note to me led us to another meeting, and ultimately, several more business interactions over the next few years that benefited both of us. Lesson: thanking those who helped us this last year is another networking boon. People want to be the hero. Why not help give credit where it is due? It may help them and you become a new you in the new year.

By the way, Steve is an excellent mortgage broker and worth having on your team when you are buying real estate. +stevemc53@hotmail.com

3 non-tech ways to expand your network

Need to expand your network? Maxed out on social media efforts? Try these three non-tech ideas:

1. Cary five cards in your pocket each day and force yourself to meet five people to give them to. This gets easy after a few days of practice.

2. Take a class. Find a community class that would have the kinds of people you want to meet, and sign up. While there, be open about wanting to network with this group. They will be complimented that you think highly of them.

3. Volunteer to speak. Contact the local chamber of commerce or the Rotary Club and volunteer. If you have a topic that people would find interesting, tell a group about it. Service groups are always looking to bring in a speaker who has something interesting to share. In your message, make clear you want to keep in touch and pass around a sign in sheet to capture emails. And of course, leave your card with as many as you can.

If you have created a strong elevator speech, that is a great way to begin talking in each of the above three. Haven't made one yet, easy to do. Go to www.elevator-speech.org

Power of the Card

How can an elevator speech help me prospect for my business? Simple, at the end of the conversation, tell your name and offer your card. Remember the rule of reciprocity? They will offer their card in return, unless they don't have one. When it is not offered in return, ask for it. Most times, you'll hear the"I just ran out" excuse, but then they will tell you or you can ask for their Facebook, gmail, twitter, LinkedIn or similar online identifier.

Capture contact information and details about the conversation and person immediately after. Consider an app on your phone that allows you to dictate such things to.  Later, you are primed for the next step: follow-ups.

As soon as you can, send a follow-up email out to your new acquaintance. Oftentimes, a simple message like "It was nice to meet you today at ____" is enough. Now you are in contact with someone that you have already warmed up to and who knows what you can do for them. Congratulations, you moved someone from stranger to your network.