- I went to a networking event.
- I met Fred Miller
- He invited me to another networking event
- He introduced me to Tom Ruwitch
- They invited me to a seminar that they were giving
- I volunteered to come and video tape it for their websites
- I attended the seminar with my video camera
- I met Adam Kreitman, who was presenting with Fred Miller and Tom Ruwitch
- I also met Tom Croghan, who was in attendance at the seminar
- Tom Croghan asked me to do a presentation for BOI.
- I did the presentation for BOI and met Bill Chionio who runs BOI.
- Fred Miller bought me some BreadCo and I helped him with his website
- I attended a seminar that Tom Ruwitch was putting on for his business
- I wrote about Tom Ruwitch’s awesome seminar on my blog
- I had coffee with Adam Kreitman
- Tom Ruwitch sent me a referral
- I wrote about Adam Kreitman’s business on my blog
- I saw Fred Miller again at a networking event
- Fred Miller sent me a referral
- Fred Miller sent me another referral
- I talked about Fred Miller on my blog
- Tom Ruwitch called me to do a presentation at UMSL
- Adam Kreitman sent me a referral
- I sent Fred Miller a referral
- Bill Chionio asked me to do another presentation to a group he was involved with
- I presented to Bill Chionio’s group
- I sent Tom Ruwitch a referral
- Adam Kreitman sent me another referral
- Fred started helping me with my presentation skills
- Bill Chionio sent me a referral
- I sent Adam Kreitman a referral
- I referred my meet up group to Tom Ruwitch’s company
- Adam Kreitman asked me to become part of a presentation group he was starting
- Bill Chionio sent me another referral
This could go on and on and I could have branched out further —and involved dozens of other people. These guys are great business people in Saint Louis and are wonderful networkers.
The point is that you can use a online and off-line networking techniques to grow your business. A blog can be a great networking tool.
The moral of the story — get off your butt.
Get 10 FREE Videos That Will Teach You What Only Successful Marketers Understand About The Internet
Learn more here or sign up below
Learn more here or sign up below
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I for one am sure glad you got off your butt that day!
Java Gym was awesome the other day, looking forward to getting some scheduled for you soon and have your story lead to more great things…
@Adam Kreitman — It has been a real pleasure getting to know you Adam! You are a great professional.
Glad to hear the Java Gym went well — no question that this will be yet another way that I will meet more great people.
Thanks for the kind mention, Russ.
Always follow the Go-Giver philosophy and you can’t go wrong.
Paramount is that people realize referrals, and even introductions, reflect upon several people: the people or company being referred and the one doing the introduction.
I try to only put together people with the same honesty and values I have. Right now, that’s one of my pet peeves about facebook. I don’t know all these people who want to be my ‘friend’ and have me ‘Like’ their business. I’m not comfortable with that.
I am very comfortable recommending you and your services and introducing people to you. YOU, and what you do, make ME look good!
Thank YOU!
@Fred E. Miller —- No question Fred. You are who you refer.
As fars as Facebook is concerned. I am not necessarily sure if your network believes that you hitting the “Like” button on a business page on Facebook is an endorsement of any great magnitude for that business.
Let me just say “ditto” to your last comment — I am very comfortable recommending you as well — you have been a great friend and mentor to me.
It’s really funny that you say that Russ because I’ve been seeing the same reaction. I went to a MeetUp group which introduced me to several individuals. Then I got a chance to get to know some of those individuals. Those individuals looked at my company image online and were interested in hearing more. Now I have some good leads and potential prospects.
I’ve found out that networking events have the biggest impact on your lead generation. So, if you’re like me then sign yourself up for just about any networking event you find in STL of interest to you (and there’s quite a few of those ramping up). Or, if you’re bored on a Friday morning and need some company then call me up and I’ll have coffee with you at Bread Co. and we can call that a networking event
@Ivan — I couldn’t agree more Ivan — I think off line networking events are the “bee’s knees” — and the Internet networking tactics are a great way to keep those relationships warm in between physical meetings.
Oh… and yes… I just used the phrase “bee’s knees” — it’s my blog and I can say what I want.
This is a nice post because you lay out the “domino effect” of making one single contact. In my own experience as a Tiny Business located here in St. Louis, networking is the best way to generate business and create a positive reputation. I’m glad that I found you and TBMP on YouTube last year because attending your Meetups has increased my knowledge of website design and content marketing immensely!
@Ed Mayuga — I have found that a good mix of online and off-line networking works very well. The off-line is critical and the online is then used to augment, strengthen connections and increase the level of interaction.
Great post, Russ. Perfect way to present the power of networking. You can’t make connections and build your business if you sit on your butt. Thanks for the shout-out. Glad we connected!
@Tom Ruwitch — Very happy that we connected as well Tom! But long time, no see. We need to get together soon.