Wilmington, NC's Largest Social Business Community

What's the most effective way your business connects with prospects?

With an ever-growing list of ways to connect with potential customers for your business, what ways have you found to be the most effective?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bruce Brown on April 16, 2009 at 7:10am

Steve,

Nothing beats face to face meetings, but that's hard to do on a grand scale all the time. I find that layering a rich mix of relationship builders is not only effective, but also fun. Adding new modalities to the mix keeps it fresh. There is no one best or most effective (other than face to face). At this point most of my new business in various pursuits comes from referrals or repeat clients and customers. It's very important to me personally to keep in touch in many ways.

I personally use (in addition to face to face):
- Short e-mail notes
- Multiple blogs
- a mixture of sm sites (I use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, and MySpace)
- presence on significant local social networking sites (Wilmington Business Online, 3rd Street Plaza, Leland Living, Leland Business)
- top of area localized presence on national real estate networking site for REALTORs and consumers (Active Rain)
- a multitude of regional networking events
- I'm an active participant in my local BNI chapter and in area BNI events
- I'm an active participant in our local Chamber of Commerce and look for ways to help other businesses
- participation in and support of selected local events and causes
- showing up with a strong positive attitude (it's just my "way" anyway, but I know it matters)
- being supportive of and seeking strategic business alliances
- having fun in public, sort of sharing joy and enthusiasm (e.g. on Twitter and Facebook)
- I try to keep focus on prospects and what matters to them and not on myself or my business (except that I do try hard to present myself as the person I really am, not just as yet another business person in my niche).
- I'm a big fan of (disclosure - also a distributor for) SendOutCards as a way to express appreciation to people I meet and to keep in touch with folks.
- I'm also a believer in the 'Givers Gain" philosophy espoused by both BNI and SendOutCards - the idea is that I find it great to give support, praise, help, assistance and not worry or keep tabs on what comes back. Giving really just to give. I'll let the payback take care of itself (and it does).

There are some other things I do (I'm sure I've forgotten some), but a layered mixture is the best approach. Developing a systematic approach that fits you, your business, and most of all your prospects is the primary "tactical" approach. I'm also a big believer in welcoming change. I find adding new ways to help people or connect with people is a great way to stay "top of mind".

Bruce

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kyle Overacker on July 23, 2009 at 8:12am

Bruce,

I am relatively new to the area and looking to build, network and meet people. You seem very involved and wanted to say hi and see who you work for, how long you have been here and that sort of thing. I absolutely love Wilmington so far, its very nice! Much bigger than Salisbury.

I have been downtown and seen a few places, I was going to start getting to the Chamber meetings and BNI although I am studying for my series 7 with Edward Jones right now and it is absolutely grueling so I haven't had a lot of time to network.

You can always email me, since I am not on here often.

Kyle.Overacker@GMX.Com

Thanks,

Kyle Overacker

Bruce Brown said:

Steve,

Nothing beats face to face meetings, but that's hard to do on a grand scale all the time. I find that layering a rich mix of relationship builders is not only effective, but also fun. Adding new modalities to the mix keeps it fresh. There is no one best or most effective (other than face to face). At this point most of my new business in various pursuits comes from referrals or repeat clients and customers. It's very important to me personally to keep in touch in many ways.

I personally use (in addition to face to face):
- Short e-mail notes
- Multiple blogs
- a mixture of sm sites (I use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, and MySpace)
- presence on significant local social networking sites (Wilmington Business Online, 3rd Street Plaza, Leland Living, Leland Business)
- top of area localized presence on national real estate networking site for REALTORs and consumers (Active Rain)
- a multitude of regional networking events
- I'm an active participant in my local BNI chapter and in area BNI events
- I'm an active participant in our local Chamber of Commerce and look for ways to help other businesses
- participation in and support of selected local events and causes
- showing up with a strong positive attitude (it's just my "way" anyway, but I know it matters)
- being supportive of and seeking strategic business alliances
- having fun in public, sort of sharing joy and enthusiasm (e.g. on Twitter and Facebook)
- I try to keep focus on prospects and what matters to them and not on myself or my business (except that I do try hard to present myself as the person I really am, not just as yet another business person in my niche).
- I'm a big fan of (disclosure - also a distributor for) SendOutCards as a way to express appreciation to people I meet and to keep in touch with folks.
- I'm also a believer in the 'Givers Gain" philosophy espoused by both BNI and SendOutCards - the idea is that I find it great to give support, praise, help, assistance and not worry or keep tabs on what comes back. Giving really just to give. I'll let the payback take care of itself (and it does).

There are some other things I do (I'm sure I've forgotten some), but a layered mixture is the best approach. Developing a systematic approach that fits you, your business, and most of all your prospects is the primary "tactical" approach. I'm also a big believer in welcoming change. I find adding new ways to help people or connect with people is a great way to stay "top of mind".

Bruce