Top 5 Networking Strategies

I thought it might be prudent to lay down some information on networking and proceed with some laboratory experimentation in networking, either through social media or through direct contact or any other method that works.

Before we move on to the list what one must do is figure out who it is that they are attempting to network with and map out those people. Have a plan essentially. Be prepared to give, both of your time and of your self. Do this strategically and don’t wear yourself out in the process. But with patience and hard work, anyone can become a networking genius. So here it goes:

1. Know the food chain

It’ll be tough to go straight to the top and start there with your networking plan. You will most likely have to work your way up. Generally you will not have immediate access to the rich and famous or whoever you wish to network with.  Most of the time these A-list type individuals take advice and deal with those who are close to them, who have advised them or worked with them in the past. It is much easier to build a relationship with those who are farther down the food chain. Start a mapping strategy and begin your ascent to the elite. With time and effort you can make it there.

2. Add Value

So this is where the giving begins. We want to set ourselves apart from everybody else and we can do this by offering our services and adding value to the persons project or product that we are trying to network with. It’s a simple matter of asking, “How can I help?”

Most A-list types are used to people who want something, who are takers. Surprise them by giving, become a contributor. Become known as a person who adds value. People like to give to those they trust and respect, put forth the effort to become that person.

3. Promote other People

Make opportunities to promote other people. You can make an impact by promoting other people to second and third level individuals in your network map. Generally, these people are less known and appreciate the help. Tweet and retweet or use whatever platform you wish to sing others praises and help promote them. This will build valuable relationships and foster an environment of people helping people.

4. Engage People on Twitter

One of the best ways to talk to and have access to the people you have targeted for your network is to engage them in conversation on Twitter. You can help yourself stand out by first developing relationships with the people they follow and communicate with. When they see you communicating with people they know this will help lend credibility to what you have to say and they are more likely to respond to your tweets.

Ask meaningful questions that can be answered simply. Also modify re-Tweets to grab their attention, again, you are trying to add value and you can do this by showing interest in the person and the products that they are attempting to promote or sell.

5. Complete the Circle

Now that you have begun to form connections and relationships with other people it is time to complete the circle by connecting your connections with each other. This again will add value to you when others see how connected you are. When a person expresses a need and you can tell them, “I know someone for that,” you show that you are someone who can be very valuable as a connection and resource. When you can inform someone that you “know” some A-lister, this will continue to build your credibility as a real Player, a networking powerhouse.

I owe much of this information to the hard work and generosity of my man Dave Navarro. Check him out at http://www.rockyourday.com/ for more highly useful information on topics like this one.

Why Fat Birds Aren’t Afraid to Fail

Feed me something!

There is an interesting fact known in the animal kingdom and it so happens that all animals do it, even primates, and that means you and me. We’ll try not to ruffle any feathers so we’ll focus on our aviatory friends- the bird.

Have you ever been to the beach or down to the local park and found the place packed with gulls or pigeons or some sort of annoyance such as this? They gather round you looking for handouts. You could throw down bread, or chewing gum, or a bottle cap, or ex-lax and they’ll gobble it up without a second thought. Even though the bird has had plenty to eat and is nice and plump, it will still continue to eat, anything and everything.

Most people might be under the impression that birds are very greedy or extremely hungry animals. This is false. The fact is that when birds are confronted with limited food supplies, they will actually be more wary of potential food sources, the hungry birds will only eat what they are familiar with even if they are starving- no gum or ex lax for these guys. The reason is that the hungry bird must be more cautious, because if he were to eat something that were bad such as ex- lax then the chances that the bird could recover in its hungry and weakened state would be slim. However, the fat bird will eat anything because it does not have to worry about potential complications- the bird is well fed, fat and sassy. It has a better chance at recovery from eating something bad, so it has the luxury of freelancing with it’s food choices.

All animals have the tendency to do this, even primates, that means us. This can be applied to other areas of human life. We will find this same game playing out everywhere you look. If a company’s sales have declined, the tendency is for the company to start becoming miserly with their expenditures, even with their marketing budget which is the last thing they should do, or in some cases, the top execs will start laying people off to “save the company”. A company whose sales have gone through the roof on the other hand, will most likely be quite frivolous with their budget, just throwing money at potential problems like it was a pole dancer, without a care in the world and what’s more is that in most cases that company will continue to expand and thrive, attracting success like flies to feces.

Or seagulls to ex-lax(note: never feed seagulls ex-lax, it is illegal)

The lesson here is being able to understand and identify these situations when they occur in our own worlds. In most cases the fat bird at one time or another was a hungry bird. Something happened in that birds world that changed it’s fortunes. At some point it had to take a calculated risk. Likewise, the same can be applied to our own game and the only way we can be a fat bird is by taking some risk, to put us in a position where the numbers favor the results we desire. Sometimes that may require us to go outside of our own comfort zones, outside of the norm, and outside of the box as it were to gain the success we desire.

Sure, you might accidentally gobble down some ex-lax and you might suffer some discomfort, but then again, a little risk and you may claim your prize. Do not seek the middle ground. Remember,  The Game is not for those with weak stomachs.

A calculated risk!