Networking events are great for making new contacts, but at large networking events it's hard to make an impression on the people you meet.

At a networking event this week hosted by Experian Interactive Media, Stephen Semprevivo, President, spoke briefly about networking, and encouraged everyone to use storytelling as one of their networking techniques.

Everyone swaps stories at networking events, but I'm not sure everyone uses storytelling effectively to accomplish their networking goals.

There are many ways to use storytelling in your networking, such as:

• Solidify a relationship through your common experiences
• Describe a person you will introduce them to
• Demonstrate your expertise in solving a problem the other person mentioned

Here are a few resources on storytelling techniques in business:

• Once Upon a Business…The Role of Storytelling in Leadership, Management, and Entrepreneurship
• Storytelling as a Key Leadership Tool
• Marketing Is Storytelling
• The Ten Truths of Branded Storytelling

So...what's your story?

Posted by Cliff Allen at 06:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

We have started hosting our free LINC business networking events again this year - and we're off to a great start.

Our first networking event in 2008 will be on March 11th in Venice.

Here in the Los Angeles area several groups hold networking events for technology and media companies. However, our free LINC events seem to fill a special need in L.A., so my co-organizers and I are glad we can start hosting these events again.

If you are involved in guiding or managing some aspect of a digital media or software company you'll want to come meet others like you. Be sure to RSVP now because we're quickly approaching the limit on the number of people that the location can handle. (After you RSVP you'll be able to see who else is coming.)

If you would like to host casual networking events like this for people in your industry, here are the guidelines we've followed:

• Find a location that's easy for most people to get to.
• Make sure parking is convenient and as inexpensive as possible.
• Choose a venue that will provide a large, open meeting area - and has good food.
• Recruit one or more sponsors who will pay for the venue and food so you won't have to charge admission.
• Invite people in a narrow enough industry or sector that it's likely that everyone would like to meet each other.

If this happens, encourage every person you invite to use the "Send Invitation to Friend" form on the event page to invite people they know. Take advantage of the connectedness of your community to attract a larger group of people who will all be glad you organized the event.

Posted by Cliff Allen at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Have you ever encouraged a friend or associate to attend a networking event with you, only to have them say, "I'm too shy and quiet to go to networking events." You've probably thought about how most of the people you've met at networking events are a bit shy, too.

In fact, when was the last time you saw a loud, boisterous salesperson at a networking event? The stereotypical salesperson at networking events is long gone because it just doesn’t work.

When I saw the post by Lindsey Pollak Why Shy People Make Great Networkers I thought about a person I've known for several years. He considers himself somewhat shy, yet he attends many events, has a large business and social network -- and is always in demand by large companies.

Lindsay tells the five reasons why she thinks shy people make great networkers:

1. They ask for personal referrals
2. They are polite
3. They listen more than they talk
4. They bring a wingman (or woman)
5. They network online

When you read Lindsey's detailed explanation of those points, think about how these techniques fit your personality for networking.

Networking is nothing more than nurturing personal relationships that create opportunities for people to help each other.

So, share Lindsey's post with friends who you would like to see attend networking events with you. You might have a new networking buddy!

Posted by Cliff Allen at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the benefits of the Internet is that it's helped us become aware of how the large issues in the would affect us. At the same time, it's become more frustrating when we try to take action and "make a difference" to improve things.

How many times have you sent a YouTube link about an important issue to your contact list -- then wondered if the video made a difference in how they act? The same frustration happens when trying to use social networking sites like Facebook to made a difference.

So, how do you really make a difference on the key issues you're concerned about? Face-to-face with the people you want to influence.

When you interact with people face-to-face you have an excellent opportunity to answer their questions immediately, as well as grow your relationships with them.

For example, if you're concerned about the environment, help your friends and associates understand your concern. Annie Leonard has created a 20 minute video on the "Story of Stuff" that you can use to host a house party in your home or present at a local organization.

She also provides a complete set of communications tools, including a discussion guide, group activities, and a list of ways individuals can make a difference in advancing sustainability.

When your organization publicizes a public event like this in SureToMeet remember to select the category "Green/Sustainability" on the event description form. This helps publicize your event in three ways.

1. It helps people find your event in the SureToMeet calendar of local events.
2. Your event will be included in the SureToMeet weekly newsletter that's sent to people who want to know about sustainable and green events in their area.
3. Your event will be automatically included on other Web sites that use the SureToMeet database of sustainable and green events, such as California Green Solutions.

Using SureToMeet to publicize events is just one of the ways you can use the Internet to make a difference in your community -- and the world.

Posted by Cliff Allen at 08:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Meeting new people and nurturing business relationships is very similar to the process that singles use in forming new personal relationships.

Gina Hendrix, an expert matchmaker in Los Angeles, has recently started blogging about the dating tips she shares with clients. Her recent post on "Basic dating do's & don'ts for men" reminded me of some of the tips I give people on business networking.

One tip is especially important: Be generally interested in what the other person says.

Too often people in a conversation are thinking more about what they'll say when it's their turn, instead of responding to what the other person just said.

It's more than just hearing what the other person said. It's best to ask a question or make a comment. Make it clear that you heard both the factual part and the emotional feelings that the other person expressed.

For example, if someone says, "The price of jewelry is going up!" you better know if that person is a buyer or a seller of jewelry before you automatically respond with a comment.

In addition to paying close attention to what someone says during a conversation, take good notes later. Open your contact manager and use the notes feature to enter the details that you learned. Be sure to note interesting facts that they shared, and pay close attention to their likes and dislikes.

Then, before your next visit review your past notes so you'll be prepared to move the conversation - and the relationship - along.

Whether you are meeting new people to expand your business network or your social network, many of the techniques for growing those relationships are the same.

Posted by Cliff Allen at 08:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Entrepreneurs starting a high-growth high-tech business network somewhat differently from other people -- and that was clear at the recent StartupLA conference.

StartupLA was organized by local entrepreneurs who decided that other entrepreneurs starting high-tech ventures in Los Angeles need a quick overview of key parts of business.

I was pleased to participate in the marketing panel, and later watched the panel on business networking. Those four panelists clearly have their own attitudes and approaches to networking.

For example, Boris Epstein, a recruiter, has over 500 connections in LinkedIn and uses LinkedIn extensively to contact candidates. On the other hand, Joel Ordesky, one of CTOs on the panel, has under 300 contacts and advises people to not seek connections to the "super connectors" in LinkedIn.

Each of the four panelists shared a number of real-word networking tips. Here is a significant tip from each panelist:

Steve Burgess gave the best reason to continually build your network when he said, "I don't do business with people I don't know." This indicates the importance of developing relationships before you expect to do business with someone. For entrepreneurs, it's especially valuable to nurture relationships with potential investors before asking them to make an investment.

Boris Epstein said, "Being with people 'up' the ladder allows you to learn from people who have done more than you have." Networking with people who are more accomplished in certain areas allows you to have new experiences with someone who can mentor and provide guidance.

Joel Ordesky said, "Tell who you are, not what you want to be." People who network are usually looking for contacts who can help them make a change, so it's hard to avoid talking about the new project or venture. This can be tricky for entrepreneurs starting a new business, especially when they are leaving another industry to start their new business.

However, the reason other people network with us is based on who we are now and how we can help them. So, temper your enthusiasm for your upcoming projects and let people know how you can help them today.

Tony Karrer said, "Formulate a question that's a request for expertise." An effective way to engage people is to ask for information or assistance. It's a great conversation starter, and it can form the basis of a relationship.

These real-world networking tips illustrate that successful networking is about creating mutually beneficial relationships built on trust, understanding each other, and a desire to help each other.

Posted by Cliff Allen at 08:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For several years we have hosted viewing parties for TV shows that several of us have wanted to watch together. In some years there are 2-3 shows that the group wants to watch, so several people record several of the shows.

Before we created SureToMeet, it was hard to schedule several weeks of viewing parties. It was almost funny watching the host on his cell phone and landline phone talking to two people while he was IMing someone else!

Now, each person's comments on the event page create a temporary "community" as they keep updating their notes about which shows they're bringing, plans for food, etc.

We recently saw the pilots for several new TV shows. Bionic Woman is the first show of the new season that we all want to watch; we'll pick another soon, I'm sure.

This year we also decided to create a special Web site to promote the idea of hosting TV viewing parties, especially Bionic Woman.

www.SureToMeet.com/bionic_woman

Viewing parties have been a great way to nurture friendships. Ask several friends and acquaintances which new TV show they like, then host a party each week and watch it together.

Posted by Cliff Allen at 04:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Networking can occur wherever you are. Like, when you're on vacation.

Nichelle Stephens points out a few of the places where you may find yourself networking when you may not expect it:

It's August and many people are away for vacation. This is actually an excellent time to build up your contacts. You will meet other vacationers on the plane, in the hotel lobby or on the beach. Everyone is relaxed so conversations flow freely.

One of the reasons that vacation networking can work well is that you already share some interests in common.

Be sure to pack a few extra business cards along with the sunscreen and bathing suit.

Posted by Cliff Allen at 12:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

There are now a wide range of ways we can communicate electronically with other people that can help -or hurt - personal relationships. I use e-mail a lot to provide detailed answers and information. We all use e-mail a lot - perhaps too much for our own good.

Joel Block, who helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses, posted a reminder about how to grow relationships:

There are several problems with relying on e-mail as your primary source of communication. First, it's impersonal. There is little true relationship-building through e-mail.

He's right that e-mail is better for sending detailed information than it is for nurturing relationships:

Be personal. Pick up the phone or take people out to lunch. That's the old fashion way, but it works, and many of us still prefer this "high-touch" way of doing business.

So, call someone you haven't talked to in a while and ask how they're doing, share something about yourself, and plan to get together face-to-face.

Posted by Cliff Allen at 05:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending one of the many Live Earth house parties around the country.

The house party used practically all of the suggestions in our How to Host A House Party guide, and was very successful. It was a great networking opportunity for like-minded people to meet and discuss ways they can work together toward the goals of the Live Earth organizers.

The hosts had plenty of room for the nearly 60 people there. Everyone was encouraged to bring a dish, which guaranteed there would be enough food -- even though most people brought deserts.

When a house party has a set time period for a speaker's presentation or to view a DVD, it's easy to make sure every attendee sees and hears the organization's message. However, with the Live Earth concerts playing continually on two large TVs, it was difficult to ensure that the house party guests actually received the message.

To overcome this problem, these hosts handed out information sheets late in the evening to take home and read.

Whether you're looking for support for a political candidate or issue -- or you're trying to save the planet -- house parties are a great way to raise awareness and encourage action.

Posted by Cliff Allen at 02:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)