So, today I got an email from a client… responding to one of the most common “commands” I give my clients: STOP YOUR NETWORKING NEUROSIS.
The bottom line is this: MOST people in business are over-networked and under-paid.
They are surrounded by people that love having coffee with them. (There’s a LOT of time for coffees when you have few or no paying clients, after all.) They’re surrounded by people who love their work. They’re receiving a LOT of “attagirls” — but depositing very few “cha-chings.”
Not good. But completely fixable.
Back to the email I received. After looking at where her paying clients were coming from, this woman stopped networking at every available meeting. She became more choosey. Dropped out of most of the groups she was visiting every week or month — cold turkey.
Two amazing, but predictable things happened. ONE, those people who took having access to her for granted starting making appointments and paying to have work done with her. Yes, those same people who never wanted to commit before.
TWO, the time she freed up after giving up her networking neurosis allowed her MORE TIME TO take on “rush jobs” — which, of course, pay better than most. FOUR rush jobs just this week. Not bad at all.
So, can YOU “afford” to stop networking?
I don’t know. But, there’s a VERY EASY way to find out.
Make a list of TWENTY paying clients. They can be your most recent twenty, your top twenty, your favorite twenty, or the twenty that have contributed MOST SIGNIFICANTLY to your income. Doesn’t matter which list you choose.
Make your list.
Beside EACH NAME, write down where they found you. Yellow pages or the Chamber or NAWBO or commercial or your website or facebook or whatever.
If –out of your list of 20 — NONE of them came from an event you’ve been attending faithfully for 4 months or more, you can quit. (I have a special email you can send that will make QUITTING your group far more profitable than attending in this case. If you’re interested, email me and I’ll shoot it over to you. michelle@bmichellepippin.com)
BUT, if you’re getting business you can track BACK to that group, by all means, keep going.
Business can truly be this simple… if we just take a hard look at our numbers, measure regularly, and are willing to do what is difficult or unpopular. For what it’s worth, HERE are some great places to network, per my own real-life experiences and that of my clients:
POWER – Power of Women Exchanging Resources
Spark & Hustle Conferences
The Party Goddess Uncensored events (TOP NOTCH!)
Events for which YOU are the speaker, and — OF COURSE —
women who WOW events. (WHICH — incidentally, you’ll find a LOT more of in 2013. ) **wink** =)
