Networking With Fellow Business Professionals
I’ve written this from the POV of someone working in the metaphysical field; but these basic rules work for virtually any profession.
Networking can be a wonderful tool to improve and expand your business and your client base. But every week brings new ideas, new platforms, new “hot methods” pushing others by the wayside. How do you decide what to use? Whether online or in person, there are certain ways to go about networking that will be most useful.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS VALUABLE — IF YOU’RE CAREFUL
Understanding how to use social media is a must these days, even if you expect your clientele to be local.
Whether it’s one of the currently popular platforms or some yet-uninvented Next Big Thing, it pays to get connected — with others in your field, with folks whose services you can use, and with pages or discussion groups that can further and widen your sphere of knowledge.
Living 50 miles away from a city the way I do, many times my first contact with people is via the web — and then, that contact turns into a valuable face-to-face relationship.
HAVE YOUR INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
In Japan, the exchanging of business cards is a deeply respected ritual, right down to how one receives it (with two hands and a bow of thanks).
Whether you use business cards, rack cards, brochures or flyers, make sure you always have a few to hand out.
Yes, someone could enter your information into their phone, but the paper you hand over says so much more about who you are and how you present yourself to the world — and is a constant reminder to stay in touch.
What about social media? Be able to give them the link to your website or social media portal instantly. You shouldn’t have to look it up! It should be on your business card; it may open the virtual door to your services.
REMEMBER THAT NETWORKING IS MEANT FOR TWO
Forget your personal agenda. If all you’re doing is networking to get YOUR stuff out there and find what YOU need, you’re missing half the value and the fun. Networking is about connecting the dots: the people, the abilities, the thought patterns, the infinite experiences. Accept and enjoy the fact that other people will need things from YOU in order to make THEIR business work, not just the other way around.
SHOW COURTESY EVEN TO THOSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE WHAT YOU SEEK
Part of networking is seeking out specifics — whether services, supplies, or suggestions. In every networking situation, you’ll have people who either don’t do what you do, don’t think what you do is valid, or don’t understand what you do. Or you may be looking for a talent or service they don’t supply. That’s okay.
Having a dialogue with someone who is not on your wavelength may open them (or you) up to some new views. You may learn something about a subject you’ve never heard of. And even if they’re never useful to you in and of themselves, they may find you likable and courteous enough that they mention you to someone else THEY know who WILL be on target for your networking search.
FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN BE USEFUL
This is part of really “knowing what you know.” If you know you’re really good at certain things (you’re a master Tarot reader; you’re superb at working the online sites; you know all the least expensive yet good quality printers and suppliers), then don’t be afraid to offer those tidbits.
You don’t always have to wait to be asked. Sometimes, a straightforward comment like “What can I do to support you/your work?” can open up wonderful opportunities simply because you’re seen as a kind colleague with whom a rapport can grow. Later, they may be moved to return the favor out of the blue — and the Universe usually arranges such things with perfect timing.
KEEP IN TOUCH AND KEEP YOUR WORD
If you promise to send someone information, do it as soon as you get home from networking. If you had a great conversation with a colleague, drop them a note and let them know. If you followed up on some information given to you and it was useful, let the person who told you about it know that.
Why? Because it’s one more way of telling your new contact you can be relied upon to keep your word, and one more way of saying “I’m a Professional, not an amateur.” The whole purpose of networking is to forge new contacts for the long run; otherwise, it’s just glorified business speed-dating.
DIFFERENCES CAN MAKE GOOD SPARKS
If you end up chatting with someone whose business/metaphysical slant is ENTIRELY different from yours, don’t chat briefly and then leave. Start thinking outside the box. Sometimes “fusion readings” (where two intuitives with two vastly different skill sets read clients together) are incredibly valuable AND sought after. Sometimes a double-bill event is what will excite audiences.
People love different. Anything that can make you stand out in a positive way to clients is something to explore.
LEARN TO LISTEN
Not everyone can get right to the point in a networking discussion. At the same time, so many of us only half-listen to something before we’re already thinking about our response. But that serves neither you nor your colleague.
One of my favorite sayings is “Listen with both ears and your whole heart.” When you listen attentively, wanting to find the best for BOTH of you in the exchange, the vibe will be clear. And, as an added bonus, attentive listening means you might catch a useful morsel that half-listening would have let go by!
BECOME KNOWN AS A POWERFUL RESOURCE
If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it fifty times: “I can’t believe how much you share about what you do!”
I have been in “the biz” a long time now. I also have a strong background in more ordinary career work, including copywriting and advertising. Like the folks on Mad Men, I know that the sizzle sells the steak.
All that marketing expertise is reflected in everything about my booth: the clarity of the marketing pieces, the professionalism of the layouts, the multiple sources I use and ways I have of collecting client information to forge a long-term relationship. Additionally, I know about the little things that make working easier, and I always have them on board — whether it’s extra water, a bottle of white-out, scissors, safety pins, a band-aid, a pen to test the legitimacy of $100 bills or arnica gel if I take a spill on the exhibit room floor.
I remember how intimidating my first few shows were, and how I wished I had someone to advise me! In those days, however, it was very much a dog-eat-dog situation, because we didn’t have the relative level of respect we have now. (I say relative because not everyone believes in what we do, the way everybody believes in a plumber.)
I am always happy to offer tips about how I set up my booth or how I run my business. I will gladly hand over a bottle of water if you’ve forgotten one. I am never afraid to share because, no matter who or what, our styles are completely different — one from another. I know other intuitives don’t work exactly as I do. They don’t have my particular layout of specialties. They will deal with their clients in their own personal style.
Because I am willing to share, there is invisible “good will” created. Other intuitives get to know who I am in a noncompetitive situation. It’s natural to want to support those who support you, so it’s not uncommon to get a client referral from someone I’ve helped up the ladder in some form or another.
LAST: THIS IS NETWORKING, NOT A GOSSIP FEST
It’s a sad thing, but not every Lightworker or professional intuitive walks their talk. Now, I’m not saying you can never make a mistake or that you must be relentlessly positive. If that were the case, I’d never make the cut either, because I admit to fallible humanity. But, as in all special-interest groups, there are going to be people who see things differently or judge others based on a hundred different criteria.
As much as I say “step away from the Ego” in this type of work, I recognize that we are all still human. We have opinions, which sometimes slide into judgment. And when we see something that doesn’t hit us right, most of us will say so
Remember, criticizing a colleague will simply look like jealousy or meanness. We are not here to police the psychic world; we’re here to do our work. If someone does not conduct themselves (or their business) the way you would, it is none of your business. How someone reads or how they behave, as long as it does not directly harm you or your clients, is not your problem. Spend your networking time on what is useful, positive and grows the entire world of psychic professionalism in good ways.
So the next time you are in a group of fellow Lightworkers, throw away any idea of competition. Instead, start trading information, have a brainstorming session, or get to know your colleagues. The building of trust “within the tribe” is just as important as the trust between you and your client — and just as valuable in the long run for expanding your business.
