How to make your social life and connections prosper.
We've all heard it before in numerous of conversations with all kinds of coaches, in magazines and on television; Networking is important. Networking is crucial for you to be able to live a decent life. Networking is everything.
What nobody ever does though is to break down the process of creating these connections and networking circles, so you are often left without any real knowledge about connections and networking other then that it is so important.
However, Im going to share with you a bunch of tips, tricks and tactics to start building and maintaning your connections and your network in a way that works good for business, lifestyle aswell as social circles comes.
-------------
Before I go into greater detail about how to do this you must consider in what situation you are in currently:
What kind of connections do I have?
For example you know a guy/girl loosely, that is a great party organizer. You've met him out 3 or 4 times, you have each others on facebook and have an OK vibe going on.
How can I maintain them better?
Are you offering any value for him/her? If not, what can YOU do to offer value to that person? For example, if you have an asset you can use in any way, a sailing boat or a beach house or any certain skill (maybe you are good at economics and can help them out with managing their tax declarations?) - put it to use! Organize a small sailing trip with some friends and invite this guy/girl and have them bring a friend. This will build your connection deeper as they realise you are not the guy just wanting free tickets for the VIP loung, you are a guy that can offer value.
How can I evolve them?
Many connections are built from "stealing" or getting "integrated" in someone elses network. This is done by being a guy that is fun being around, offering value and not just being a leech. Talk to friends of the connections you already have. Chances are they need something you have or have something you need. Most people are friendly and helpful by nature, use it!
--------------
If you don't have any connections its time we get you some, isn't it?
Since i've been focusing most on creating club connections this is what im going to use as examples in this guide, even if it works just as well on prospecting business partners, social circles in general or univeristy connections.
For creating connections you must first know about the foot in the door phenomenon:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot-in-the-door_technique
If you know the concepts of it and how it works, read ahead. If you don't, click the link and get a basic understanding of the pshychology behind it.
Ask people to do small effort favors and then go bigger with time.
So how do I use this for clubs/businesses?
For clubs, start asking about them putting you on the list. Sometimes if they don't know you they will just ignore or say no. But when you do get it, be sure to bring value. Ill elaborate on this a bit down. After getting on the list alot of times, and befriending them, you can start ask for bigger favors (example; a table at the club for your party (usually you will have to buy a bottle or something, but you can share it with your friends and make it clear that ure going there with free entrance but the group has to split a bottle). After that you can ask for a free ticket for yourself if you bring 3 paying customers, and so on.
For businesses its hard to get investors or prospecting business partners to invest alot if you don't have a stable reputation. What you do here is ask for a small favor, I.E low risk one, for example a small shipment of goods that you are going to sell. Next time you ask for a little more goods etc, and that way build TRUST.
For club connections;
USE social networks. For example here they often have walls you where you write your name and +X wich is the number of people you are allowed to bring in with you.
Don't bring your gang of 5 guys who are hopeless and not fun to be around. Bring some goodlooking or fun guys/
girls (always more appriciated) that offers value to the club and dress according to the clubs standards.
Start doing this repeatedly. The promotors or listhandlers are usually the same guys working there all the time, and it won't take long until they recognize your name and connects it with your face. Be friendly and social. They will like to have you and your party there, since it gives them cash for bringing you (putting you up on the list) and value to the club (makes the bossman happy).
With time you will befriend them and get handed free tickets for entrances for next weeks band performing, backstage access, first hand information (they write to you on facebook "this is whats comin up") and sometimes pre access to buying tickets for high end events.
-------------
I hope you enjoyed the read and learn't something. If you have any questions ill be answering them when I have time, just go ahead and ask in the thread.
Good luck guys!
CHAT