Understanding Networking, part 2

Understanding Networking, (part 2)

*** Check out Part 1 of this discussion, published on Feb 5th.

Networking means you need to have something to offer.

• Will you include their name in your ad? 
  
  
• Can you feature some aspect of their business activities, policies or community projects on your e-bulletin? 
  
  
• Are you able to partner with them for a special sale, or get your staff together for a volunteer activity? 
  
  
• Can you collaborate on a community fundraiser? 
  
  
• How might you distribute each other's coupons or send referrals to each other? 
  
  
• Will you refer customers to them?
  
  
• Can you offer them great resources, for no other reason than to just help them out? Can you introduce them to someone on your contact list?
  
  
• Perhaps you can be a mentor, provide advice, offer services, discounts to their staff, coupon exchanges. 
  
  
• Can you hold sales on the same day, referring customers to the other store's bargains?
  
  
• Can you collaborate on events?
  
  
• Can you collaborate on sharing ad space?

After each annual brain-storming session, coming up with great networking ideas is a fantastic start, but there must be a plan in place explaining how you will manage that particular activity.  

Networking campaigns will vary over the years. This is a good thing, because it gives you another reason to reach out to reconnect with valued contacts at least once per year. Offer up to three networking ideas to each contact, saving the rest of your ideas for the following year.

Keep a brief record of communications. 

It is easy to use a simple program like Excel to create a brief worksheet where you can enter names, contact and latest campaign project. 

We use colour to help us see at a glance where we are at with each connection.  

For instance:

• light blue means that we need to follow up on something with them
  
  
• pink means everything was done but we are waiting for completion
   
• purple means the project was completed

Each time you reach out, be sure to offer something extra:

• a helpful link
  
  
• a contest they might be interested in
  
  
• a discounted product
  
  
• a gift of some kind
  
  
• a networking idea they may want to join in
  
  
• offer content for their blog/newsletter/bulletin
  
  
• share their link in your online bulletin board offering recommended resources
  
  
• write a thank you note in your blog or newsletter about your collaboration with them. 

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