Networking and contacts... the right way, and the wrong way...!
 

I have a good friend... She is the BEST person I have ever met at getting and using contacts...

On the other hand, we all have come across the "amateurish networker"... Their goal seems to be to get their business card in your hand as soon as possible, then zip off to the next person before you can take another breath...

My friend does it almost the opposite way. She really gets to know people. Will sometimes talk to them for hours, both in person, or on the phone... And not just about business, but about personal chit-chat too...

Of course, she focuses on people who she feels could be useful for her in the future. But she makes a real, human connection...

If she finds they have a problem which she can help solve - usually by putting them in touch with another of her contacts - she'll do so. She sometimes gives away free "gifts" to her many contacts... She's very good at getting free movie tickets, and will often give these away as gifts...

As a result, she has a huge contact list. But in addition to that, people WANT to stay in touch with her, and help her out if they can!

That's the RIGHT way to work with contacts... I've learned a lot from her...

She could literally "parachute" penniless into any city on earth, and - as long as she can speak the language - she would probably be in great shape financially within six months...!

(Why? Because she will befriend many people, and most of them will want to help her to achieve her financial goals...!)

Thought I'd share that, in case anyone here finds it useful...! :)

Best wishes,

Dien

I knew some heavy hitter investors...
 

...all of whom I asked for project funding. NONE gave money, all gave a contact, and sometimes it was two contacts down, but I always got funded BECAUSE I had a small network of people, each having their own larger networks.

No doubt, it is often about WHO you know and who THEY know as it is about idea, execution and business savvy.

Thanks for the great reminder Dien.

GordonJ

Re: I knew some heavy hitter investors...
 

Who knows though, who knows.

gja to get rid of regain love on main forum.
don't ask.

Re: I knew some heavy hitter investors...
 

Hi Gordon,

I think that's absolutely true, as far as I know, anyway... :)

The people who know the people who know you can be very useful...

I've recently (as of last year) started using LinkedIn a lot more. The power of LinkedIn is that it lets you see who your contacts' contacts are (and you can limit your searches to them, too)... So if you're looking for someone in a particular industry, or in a particular city, you can do a LinkedIn search to see if you can find someone in that position, who knows one of your contacts. If so, then you can introduce yourself to them, in a way via your shared contact... :)

I am a "paid up" member of LinkedIn, which gives you more privileges regarding contacting others. But it can still be useful, I think, even if you're a free member...

Best wishes,

Dien