The Social Networking Phenomena
January 12, 2008
Phenomena…when was the last time you used that word? When I say it in my head, it makes me think of that Dr Pepper commercial where people would sing “mana mana”…
What’s so sad is, when I googled this to make sure I was spelling it correctly, I actually found the Muppets video of this song. I’m sure I even heard a kazoo in the chorus (another word not used very often - kazoo)!
“Social networking”, the new buzzwords for places such as MySpace and Facebook - online applications where people can connect and interact with each other.
Even blogs are the social networking “it” tool to have.
So, how does this affect you IRL? (If you are from the chat room era, I don’t have to tell you, IRL = “in real life”).
Well, I’m no scientist, I don’t have any technical data, nor much written research to back up what I’m about to say, but I am an avid watcher of people, a studier of trends and my friends tell me I have a knack for sensing change. 
Over these last four years or so, I’ve seen a change in “networking” and a rise in non-traditional ways of connecting.
Just like the field of sales. Long gone are the days of the slick salesmen with their bag of wares, traveling from door to door, successfully crafting their irresistible presentations and pitches.
At one time, that’s the way sales was done. They were sharp, with million dollar smiles, winning attitudes and always knew the exact words to use to get the sale.
Unfortunately, the door-to-door salesperson you see today is most likely a hustler, dropped off from a van, using pressure or guilt tactics, and standing on the corner sharing a smoke with their buddy in between knocking on doors.
This is what we see in our mind today when we think of “salespeople”, which is sad really, because business doesn’t get done without sales. Somebody has to do it, so we’ve created new names for it, like “Relationship Manager”, “Business Builder” and “Representative”.
What do you see in your mind when you think of “networking”?
A place where you go to exchange business cards? Perhaps. But for most people, that’s all that really ever happens when they “network”. Technically, that’s not networking, it’s business card exchanging.
How many people call you after you’ve given them your card? And of those people who call you, how many are calling because they really want to see if you fit into their network - as opposed to trying to sell you something?
This is why so many people don’t call. Maybe you don’t call your cards either, because you’re not sure what to say or what the next step is. You might be thinking to yourself, “If I call, they’re going to know that all I want to do is sell them something” or, you might be thinking, “I just don’t have time to meet with all these people one on one”.
So, what do you do? Well, I have a few solutions, but that’s not really what I want to talk about today. I want to talk about avoiding this scenario in the first place, which is where the new “social networking” phenomena takes place.
I recently attended a networking event where we did things a little differently. For me, it was perfect. We got to know each other so well, I nixed two people. That’s right, I eliminated each of them as potential person that I would want in my network. And I left knowing that there was one person I NEEDED to connect with right away.
We say, all it takes is one person. One person that could change your entire business because of their resources, connections and expertise. But how often do you find that one person, without following up with all 10?
Wouldn’t it save you an enormous amount of time if you could actually network, right there and then? And I don’t mean coffee and a chat. I mean, do a team building exercise or work on a quick project. Something that actually makes you interact with another person to the level that you’ll know how they behave and conduct themselves with others.
People no longer have time for networking the way that we’ve always done it. They want results and they want it fast. Just like they want their food. However, food is easy. Relationships are something else entirely.
We’re not there to get a bunch of business cards. We’re not there to be hustlers. We’re not there to sip coffee.
We’re there to meet the right people. We can only do that through interaction. It happens every day on social networking websites, and I believe that the trend will spread IRL. Look for the signs at your next event.
Who REALLY Sets Demand?
December 7, 2007
By Editor - A change in seasons brings about transition on store shelves as well as the types of produce and flowers that are available.
Retailers, florists and restaurants are industries that are affected by seasonal availability, but they also set into motion our seasonal buying patterns.
How many times have you said, or heard someone else say, “They keep putting Christmas out earlier every year!”? It’s because the retailers are thinking about it well before we are.
Earlier this year, on September 14th, my mind was eons away from Christmas decorating. Then I walked into a Target store.
As I glanced down the aisle, I wondered if my son would like that really cool orange and white UT stocking this year…. Wait a minute! It’s not even close to Christmas yet and we have plenty of stockings packed away….but THAT stocking might be sold out if I wait until later in the year to get it…
So goes the seasonal retail merry-go-round.
THEY (the seller) set the demand, not us (the buyer). I didn’t walk into Target demanding a new Christmas stocking, but I left there thinking about it - in September!
What demand can you set today? If you plan a year in advance, what types of natural patterns can you capitalize on, and what types can you create?
For instance, the home-based business industry has patterns. Those in the industry usually gear up for this time of year, knowing that people naturally start ventures at the beginning of the year as part of a new resolution.
Think about the patterns in your industry. If you don’t have any, create some. Target Stores do it all the time.
Since when did buying decorations for Christmas start in September?
Ever since THEY set the pattern!
The Butcher, The Baker, and The Candlestick Maker
December 6, 2007
By Ricci Neer - Recently, we revamped and implemented some new systems and procedures, the most important one of which is our marketing system.Personally, we don’t move forward with a marketing system without first laying the groundwork of branding, design and materials. You can go about it the other direction, where you lay out the system, and then create materials to follow a particular pattern.What’s your system? Do you even have a system? Either way, what is the ultimate goal of your (real or desired) system? For most businesses, it’s sales. New customers, repeat business, whatever it is that ends up putting dollars from your buyers pockets into your pockets.For a complete overhaul of your internal systems, a good place to start is with the The E-Myth. I avoided this book for so long because I thought it was for people looking to launch a retail business on the internet. After talking with others, I found I wasn’t the only one!
Then, a few months ago, DJ Heckes of Exhib-it trade show marketing spoke at an El Paso eWomenNetwork event. I knew her topic was about how she sky-rocketed her business using the principles outlined in The E-Myth, so I purchased the book and read it in advance. I was pleasantly surprised.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, burnt-out, unproductive or like the weight of your business is on your shoulders, I encourage you to step back and implement some systems. Systems that allow you to take time off and know that someone else could step right in and your business not miss a beat (sounds scary doesn’t it?!)
If you have found yourself in the position of butcher, baker and candlestick maker, and don’t see how your business could ever survive without you, I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of The E-Myth for some tips and ideas to get your business to the next level. - Ricci
Ricci is a consultant, speaker and trainer specializing in custom marketing, prospecting and sales systems. She can be reached at 512-879-9926
