Lessons You Have Learned From Networking?

Pretty much. Most pure networking events are that way.

I want to address that.

I get the idea, and the philosophy. Build relationships that sometimes will turn into a business relationship. Of course it works, is less stressful than actually selling, and appeals to the vast majority of people.

Me? I'm uncomfortable building relationships, hoping to eventually do business with them.

I'm a businessman, a salesman. Of course, I'm polite and act in a friendly manner...but I'm very up front about the fact that I'm talking to them about doing business.

My experience is that very few business owners are looking for a relationship. They may be looking for what I sell, but the relationship is secondary.

If I like them, it's completely independent of any business relationship.
I start with a sale. That's the beginning of the relationship. After that, I'll do favors and give freebies...because I want to, not because I'm hoping for business.

My two best friends were originally customers, and the relationship grew later. Many of my favorite people bought from me first, and then we found that we had things in common. And sometimes they didn't buy, and we still became friends.

Now, if you are strictly talking about online marketing (not personal selling), where giving free information is automatic and takes no effort or time on your part...why not?

I have a local retail store. I have plenty of articles/videos/listings online...and will take phone calls and answer questions before asking for a sale (or deciding that I won't ask).

And most of this is effortless, except for the phone calls which are nearly always short. And that's all part of a marketing funnel.

So, if you are talking about a marketing funnel, I get it. But going to events..networking...keeping in touch...so that maybe...eventually...you'll fall into a sale?

For me, it's faster to just qualify a little, make an appointment, and make a presentation. And at these events, the presentations are done there (at least for me). So I leave the event with no leads...but always a few sales.

What amazes me is that I went to maybe 50 high priced events, before it dawned on me that you could actually make sales there, rather than take cards, and keep in touch later. In fact, I was sharing a room with a consultant that asked me "How many clients did you get this trip?" I had no idea what he was talking about. And then he told me how he networked, and made presentations at the event...he left with clients, not leads. Then I met a few other people that did the same thing.

Of course, in a short networking event of a few hours, you have to make the presentations after the event. But you can qualify them at the event, and make the appointment.

Anyway, that's what I do....not that anyone asked.

Just reading your post makes me tired.

I know people do things this way and are successful and to them I say "good for you."

Do you know who else promotes you, endorses you, and hires you?

Customers.

How the hell can anyone refer you with any credibility if they didn't buy from you?

You want customers that brag to their friends about how great your service is.....buyers refer buyers.

You don't want them bragging about the freebies they got from you.

Do you know what I call this kind of "doing freebies until someone buys?

Begging.


You talk about "FEAR" in just about every post. Do you know why "business people" court business by doing free services...hoping for someone to take the initiative to buy from you?

They are afraid to just ask someone to buy. Hoping non-buyers will refer others to you is a slow road to nothing. Who will they refer to you? Other people who don't buy, and expect freebies from you.

Real business people are busy making sales. Weak people are busy making friends...because it saves them from the crushing torture of someone actually saying "No" to them.

Added later; Of course, if you are selling online, none of this applies. You have a marketing funnel, create content, have multiple ports of entry...and some will buy. But face to face? A business relationship begins with a sale.

Its interesting you say that.... ideas are one thing.. execution is totally different. I personally am pretty transparent with my process... we do this this this and that.. and then come over here and do this and that, and then this and that... and anyone with half a brain realizes that doing what I do takes time... So its up to the other person to make the determination is it worth their time to do all of these things, or do I just pay the guy, and know its being done right?

I hear that often.

Here is something that will offend you. Nobody cares about your ideas. Nobody cares about my ideas either.
I'm a leader in my industry. I have given dozens of seminars in my industry conventions on how to market. It's not just that nobody will steal my ideas (which I give away willingly). I can't convince them to take my ideas when they are given for free.
Someone else using your ideas doesn't mean you can't use them anymore yourself. You lose nothing by sharing.

And while you're there...you just may learn something.