Networking Tips

10 Reasons I LOVE Twitter in my Career and Business (part 2)

Find People in Airports and Coffeeshops: One of my favorite things to do when I travel (or even just leave my house for the day) is to tell everyone on Twitter where I am. And about 8 out of 10 times, someone I know or who I follow/follows me is in that airport, city or neighborhood with me. I meet them for a hug or a hello over coffee.
All About the Fast-talking: Everything in 140 characters or less. Streams moving at the speed of light. Conversations thrown out and whizzing past me. I love it. It’s me- fast-talking at its best. And if you’ve spent even 10 minutes with me, you know I am a fast-talker!
Breaking News Source: I admit it. Twitter is where I find most of my breaking news. Not only by following established news sources but bloggers and other Twitter news junkies. Trending topics are a remarkable glimpse into what the world is talking about. Natural disasters, NYC neighborhood news, global issues, etc. all come to me through Twitter at least at first glance because I can get a brief view, photos, links and opinions all in one place.
Lovin’ the Hashtag: Sometimes, I just search hashtags for the fun of it (#bestcareerbooks). Sometimes I just add them based on how I am feeling (like #joy). But the best use of this hashtag concept in business and career is to see who is in a particular Twitter stream while at an event, before a conference, or determining who is talking there who I can connect with and get to know. Who is talking about the topics you care about? Who are the influencers in your industry? Who is talking on behalf of the company you are trying to get some leverage in? And who are THEY talking about?

Look for the last 3 reasons in the coming days. In the meantime, try utilizing some of these tips in enhancing your digital persona! Did you discover my first 3 reasons for LOVING Twitter in my career and business?

#twittertips #twittertalk

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10 Reasons I LOVE Twitter in my Career and Business (part 1)

Where to start… hmm…

Research: Rarely do I go to a conference, event, interview, or connection meeting without first researching the people involved- coordinators, speakers, leadership team or candidate. I review the conversations surrounding the person, company or event. I look for what the social buzz is and usually jump in and comment. Connecting with people this way makes the huge room of people so much smaller when I arrive. And what a wonderful advantage when you are interviewing!
Build Community: Based on ME. People on Twitter see what I talk about, what I promote, who I talk to, what I care about and can get a sense of who I am. I build my community without any fancy technology automatically adding people who “might” resonate. I want you to clamor to be in my tribe so we can get to know each other! Sure there are a lot of people following me, plus people I follow who I have not yet met. But I am always keeping in mind that it is about quality not quantity.
Make Friends and Connections: Yup. I make friends on Twitter. Friends where just like other forms of social media, my aim is to eventually move the conversation from Twitter to the phone or a cup of coffee or an event. I can count off the top of my head over 5 dear friends, 30 business colleagues, 15 clients and hundreds of collaborators who I met on Twitter. Plus there are all those “friends” who just talk to me on Sunday in the fall when we are chatting about Giants Football.

Look for the other 7 reasons in the coming days.

In the meantime, try utilizing some of these tips in enhancing your digital persona!

#twittertips #twittertalk

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Holiday Card Challenge: Networking Tips

WAIT!

Before you throw away those cards and letters, let me give you an idea!

I know. I know. You have a stack of those perfect photos, the long annual family letters, and glittery happy holiday cards that you are ready to clear out. You have read them and smiled. And now it is time to clear the clutter.

However, before you throw them all away, look through them one more time.

Find two family members or friends who you have not spoken to for months.

Maybe they do not know about your new business.
Maybe they have not heard about your new career ideas.
Maybe they do not know that your daughter is off to college next year.
Maybe they have not heard that you have a new fascination with opera.

Call them. Yes. Really.

Call them and invite them to lunch or coffee.
Not local? Plan a Skype or FaceTime session to add some pizzazz to a phone call.
Will you be traveling this year? Find someone who lives in that city and make him or her part of your upcoming travel plan.

Then, consider whom you thought would send along a card and did not this year. Perhaps that always beautifully addressed card you are used to seeing in your mailbox or the family photo that you look forward to viewing. Add that person to your list.

Now you have three people who will welcome your call or visit early this year.

Networking, connecting and community building made simple.

I challenge you to make the most out of those holiday cards!

You never know where the conversation will lead.

Take Off the Costume and Start Connecting: Networking Tips

Just imagine that I call you on the phone right now and exclaim, “There’s a fabulous networking event in 2 hours and I want to bring you along”. What races through your mind?

Excuses, lots and lots of excuses!
Jiminy Cricket on your shoulder with conflicting advice – “Say no- you are too busy. This is really scary. “ vs. “This is a good opportunity and how bad could it be? Bryn will be there with you to make introductions.”
A frantic mental search for the right “networking outfit” (are those pants back from the cleaners?) and extra business cards

Are you laughing right now? Or are you secretly a little worried that someone you know really will call you shortly with that invitation?

A few things to think about when it comes to being ready for impromptu (or planned) networking events:

I promise you that my best connecting does not happen in an uncomfortable “networking outfit” with a canned elevator pitch, a stack of business cards and a mission to tell everyone all about my business and ask how they can help me.
Whether you are a job seeker, a community leader, a business owner or an engaged employee, you are a person looking to expand your circle of influence. Bringing a “networking persona” to an event instead of yourself (you are passionate, interesting, accomplished and real!) will not only connect you to the wrong people, but will create a much more likely chance of you having a miserable time. It is really difficult to sustain a fake “networking persona” reflecting the person you think they want to meet. The truth is, when you are just yourself, you will attract the right people for you.
Take off the costume! Start connecting as yourself. Wear an appropriate yet comfortable outfit that expresses how you want to be seen by others. There’s nothing worse than pasting on a smile when you are in painful shoes or a tie that feels like it is cutting off your air supply.
Use a connection strategy to begin thinking about the small group of people you will want to speak to first. Who might you approach first when you arrive? Start with the person who invited you to the event and expand from there.
Know how to explain who you are and what you need- knowing that you will not lead with this information. I encourage you to lead every conversation asking questions about the other person! (This really works and it feels so much more genuine for everyone involved. All my clients love this tip, but it takes practice!)

Do you have an upcoming networking opportunity on your calendar? If not, what are you waiting for?