Why You Need to be Making ALL the Right Connections to Increase Your Profits
What does it mean to be Making ALL the Right Connections? Have you ever heard the saying “it’s not what you know, but whom you know that matters”? Whether we agree with that phrase or not, there have been books written about it, experts that continue to discuss its merits, and people claiming to build giant empires based upon it. How true is this belief? Based on personal experience, research, and many anecdotal stories, I would have to say it is definitely true.
There is no doubt it’s important to know what you are talking about – that’s what all the experts mean when they tell you to become an “authority” or, well, an “expert” in your niche or business. That has to be a given. However, when it comes to whom you know, have you given it much thought? You may have already joined local networking groups, met some influential people through social media sites, and maybe even laid claim to knowing a “guru” or two in your industry. The important question to ask is “have you made all the right connections to increase your profits or even improve your life as a whole?” Also, do you know what to do once you’ve made the right connections?
Here are some important reasons and tips for making all the right connections to increase your profits:
- The first major tip I can share is that you MUST give MUCH more than you expect to receive. Yes, you are reading about increasing your profits by making all the right connections, but unless you intend on building long-lasting relationships, you will not be able to sustain long-term growth in your business. Read Gary Vaynerchuk’s “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World”
(this link is an affiliate link, which means I get a small payment at no extra cost to you if you purchase the book through this link). One of the first things I ask when I meet someone I know would be a good connection is “what can I do to improve your success with ______ (fill in the blank with such phrases as life/your passion/your career, etc.)?” Then, more importantly, if they suggest something, make sure you follow through and follow-up with what it is that you can do to help. You will surely impress your new connection if you help them and ask for nothing in return. What you are doing is building a solid relationship so they will naturally ask how they can help you.
- Another very important consideration is to make sure you are making all the right connections for your audience or customers. For example, you may be very excited if you are an indoor portrait photographer and you have connected with one of the most influential nature photographers online or in person. But, is it that beneficial to your customers if you don’t do that kind of photography? I CANNOT stress this enough. This is actually one of the ways to really accelerate your success with finding all the right connections.
- Sometimes even just having the courage to ask for the right connection can be difficult. It may be easier if you realize that most people won’t even know what the right connections may be for you, so they are not going to know how to help you. Using the photographer as an example again: if you are a wedding photographer, a good connection for you may be a famous hair stylist like Lena Hartford (I just Googled: “famous wedding hair stylist”!). Would any of your current connections know this? To borrow a phrase from the movie “Jerry Maguire”: “help me help you” – help others help you by giving them the information they need to help you. You’ll be surprised how quickly you may “connect the dots” and make that right connection that will help increase your profits if you just ask others to help.
- In this day and age of digital, we forget how much of an impression sending a small gift to your new connection can make (if you have access to their address). For example, I like to send my connections a small gift from a local chocolatier well known in our Southwest Florida town. He’s becoming world-renown, but he gives so much back to this local community that I want to support him and impress my connections. The packaging is elegant and the message is clear – I care about the connection I just made.
These are just a few tips to get you started on Making ALL the Right Connections to increase your profits and, ultimately, your success in life. This new journey I have embarked upon really began many decades ago when I realized the power of networking with the right people. For me, the definition of the “right people” is: positive, action-oriented, caring, integrative, collaborative, thought-provoking, intelligent and emotionally mature people that can add tremendous value to my avatar(s). It may be different for you. Continue to follow this blog and I will help you define what this means for you.
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