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MenuIs it possible to make valuable professional connections online?
I am thinking of creating a site that allows users to 'speed network' with other like-minded professionals via quick video calls. I would find it helpful to know if this is a problem that people are looking to solve- being able to make valuable connections quickly online- and if the idea for this site sounds like something that you would be interested in using.
Answers
Here's your big challenge.
The movers + shakers are busy working, so likely you'll only have people on your site which... aren't working... aren't movers + shakers... have free time to network...
The best way I've found to make connections with great people is to contact them about an interview.
So change your site slightly to a Podcast where you interview movers + shakers.
Call up a niche player + ask them to divulge all their secrets, likely you'll hear uncontrolled laughter followed by a click + dial tone.
Call up a niche player + ask to interview them + they'll likely tell you all their secrets.
It's all a matter of how you position yourself.
On a side note, I've contacted authors of books I've read + enjoyed... just out of the blue + asked if there might be some way I can assist them... as a thank you for their great book.
This has netted me an impressive Rolodex (that term dates me) of people in the business stratosphere.
Another trick I've used to meet people, is to track where they'll be speaking, then submit a speaker proposal to the same event. Then I can end up in the green room with them + make a connection.
There is incredible opportunity connecting with other professionals online. The hitch, however, is the same as networking groups (i.e. Chamber of Commerce, local networking/referral groups, etc) face:
- Too many people are in it for themselves -
I think you'll find that folks on your speed networking platform will "spray-and-pray" their own message, with little concern for the problem the other person is really trying to solve.
A better solution may be more of an interview style between consumer and provider. Imagine a home buyer setting up a speed networking introduction with 6-8 real estate agents.
Good question and an interesting idea.
I believe this appeals to a certain kind of person, the type who is an eager networker and enjoys having skilled members of that network "in their back pocket" just in case.
Most people, I think, only look for others when they have an urgent need. You decide you need a relationship now, so you join a dating site to feel you've taken action. You need a business skill or opinion, so you go to Clarity heh heh. But when the need isn't present, most people sit there with their status quo.
So I'd point my marketing at that hyper networker who's always on the lookout for talent.
Just for the record, my business partner at The Closing Engine would probably be a great candidate for this...I would be on the fringe. I'm always on the lookout for talent, and enjoy connecting Person A with Person B, but tend to let it come up to me rather than seeking it out. The idea of networking "just to network," without immediate purpose, seems like a bit of a timewaster to me. But I don't think it would to my biz partner.
Most of the connections I've made online that have value are relationships over the long term, ie. months and years. They're the result of considerable interaction over a common subject matter, eg. sales training. There was a big Why for me to be there in the first place, and I don't see that happening for me with this speed networking idea...for me individually there would be a "hole in the middle."
That being said, I can see a target market for this and if you're interested in getting the focus, filters, and copy in place I can help you with that.
I agree with Jason that most people avoid networkign for the sake of networking... but there will always be that segment that believes any connection is a good connection.
I see your most active market being salespeople, recruiters, job seekers, and entrepreneurs.
The only thing with video calls is that they do take time to prepare for off camera, no matter how short the actual screen-time is, especially if they want to make a professional first impression.
I don't know if I'd be interested, but I do think people in the markets I mentioned would love it.
It sounds pretty clever. I'm not certain that it's a problem to be solved however unless someone is trying to access a professional and have not been successful in doing so for whatever reason. I would suggest figuring out what other web-based networking sites aren't providing that your website would. For instance, what gap would you fill that say LinkedIn isn't? And another important question is who your target professional is. This might be attractive to Millenials but not so much with Baby Boomers. I hope this is helpful.
Related Questions
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Can you make money by networking?
Absolutely. I have done this in various aspects of my business, either as a consultant for film projects or as a sponsorship consultant / referrer and in many other aspects. There's a nice quote - it escapes me who said it - but "Your network is your net-worth" - what they mean by that is there is incredible value in who you know, but not just that - it's really WHAT you know, about how to HELP them. Couple of ways you can make money by introducing: - Find out what someone (or a business) needs. It could be more sales / clients / or a service. Then figure out how to get paid for that. Let's say a business sells XXX service for $10,000. If you were able to bring them a new customer willing to spend that, do you think they'd be happy to pay you a 10% referral fee? Probably, as long as they have a healthy profit margin, and you agree this upfront. If you bring people what they need, they will usually be happy to share the proceeds with you. In my own example, event organizers for major celebrity events often ask me for help to introduce sponsors, for which they pay a commission. The equation is easy - they need sponsors to finance their event. So if I help them find a brand, or advise them on doing that, they pay me some of the proceeds for making that introduction. It helps them achieve their goal quicker. - The other way is online. Many companies run "affiliate" or "referral" schemes. Just like Uber will give $10 of free rides if you share with a friend, online companies often give fees for clicks or leads to potential customers. Just do a search for "affiliate marketing" or look up sites like Clickbank or Peerfly. If you have a good online network, social network or email list, you will be able to make money by letting your contacts know about things that interest them. The great thing about referral income is it is often a percentage, and so it has great leverage for you. The more the client spends, the more you earn, for often the same effort. So focus on referring either big clients, or a wide spread of small ones, but be careful of too much effort on one small client! Hope this helps.DD
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What are some exclusive social networks for entrepreneurs and startups? (Excluding major SNS like FB/Twitter & Fundraising platforms)
I imagine a lot of it happens in private FB groups already. I'm a member of Dynamite Circle, which is a private community of location independent entrepreneurs http://www.tropicalmba.com/innercircle/DM
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How can I request an intro to a high-profile entrepreneur/investor?
Your assumption is not true. They don't care where you come from. Time is money regardless of where in the globe you come from. Ask for advice not money if you are going in cold. Don't send your deck, don't attach anything to that email and make sure the email is max four short sentences. Here is how to get a response: Subject: Seeking advice Body: Line 1. Name.. working on a product in X space that does Y. Line 2. I saw you have experience with X space and Y products. Line 3. I would like your advice on (user acquisition, scaling, blah, blah). Make sure you do your homework on what area the investor is an SME. Line 4. Ask one very specific question. Thank you for your time Name DONE! It works and if you want to talk I can explain further which VCs this has worked with. As the saying goes ask for money you get advice. Ask for advice you get money. In an ideal world you want to have a warm intro. But hey those are not always easy to come by so you do what you have to. What is the worst that can happen investor says no? Or doesn't respond? Who gives a shit you tried.TP
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Hi.
My name is Areriel I am 18,iam hungry to reach my dream of being a marketing excutive only problem is I do not know where to start with networking
Hello Areriel, It can be hard to know where to start at beginning. What I suggest you do it to start a blog about the things you'd like to be doing. Then start building you following on the social media. Use Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to connect and engage with industry professionals. Go to industry events and connect with people. Make business cards of your blog and give it to them. Be interested in what they do and they will become interested in what you do. If you're interested for a call, I can teach you exactly how you can connect with industry professionals online and offline. Just send me in advance the city you'd like to work in (I guess that's LA) and more info of what you'd really want to do. This is my VIP link for a free call https://clarity.fm/martinzhel/inbound I will be glad to help you out.MZ
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How can I reach out to Twitter users who have an immediate need for my services? I can see local tweets from great prospects but a reply would be SPAM
Twitter is actually a great prospecting tool, and these are people you should absolutely be engaging with as a brand. The key is to engage without coming off as spammy. Instead of "Buy our product now to solve your issue", try something friendly like, "Hey XYZ! We'd love to help you [solve problem]. Let us know how we can help!" or "We'd be happy to put you in touch with one of our experts on this topic. Let us know if you'd be interested in chatting." In other words, as long as you're focused on providing value over pitching your products, your responses won't come off as spammy, and you'll not only be able to get more qualified prospects from Twitter, but you'll also grow a stronger and more lovable brand presence.SB
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