Algorithm Newsletter
The Art of Networking Part 2: Building Bridges
I, thank you, to those who have reached out to me about the last week’s newsletter. Sometimes you think about something, put it on paper, and hit send wondering if anyone is taking the time to read the Algorithm Newsletter. I appreciate all the kind words. My favorite part is seeing all the other businesses wanting to start newsletters to discuss their passions as well! Truly, awesome stuff! If you are one of those whom are starting a newsletter shoot me a dm/text. I would love to talk about partnering, sorta like a podcast host going on another podcast thing.
I get questions all the time about networking. I would go but I am terrified. I would go but, I don’t know anybody. I just don’t think its for me - I'm happy your out there doing it but yeah, its just not for me. It’s all a bunch of buts.
Last week we discussed networking groups in and around our areas. The different types, the costs, the systems they use, and whether or not it would be the right fit for you. I hope you have an idea of where you would like to begin or just one you favor.
📍LAST WEEK'S NEWSLETTER ㆐Hickory Algorithm📍
How do we get past the anxiety of walking through the door(all those buts)? Once, through the door, how can we identify the people that we can partner with? How do you attract the right people? We pick each one of these questions apart in this week’s The Art of Networking Part 2: Building Bridges.
“Networking is like the gym, the hardest part is walking through the door.”
😅 Overcoming the Anxiety of Networking (the buts)
Much like the gym walking through that door can be the hardest part. Arriving to the building the event is at can even be anxiety ridden. Seeing the parking lot full, or empty, can make your wheels (in your head) spin even more before walking to the door - let alone opening it!
Its ok. I want to give you some tips before you even walk into a networking situation. How I do it and hope it helps you find your own way of prepping for a networking event.
How do you prepare for anything in life? Preparing ahead of time. Research the group, its members, and its purpose to feel more confident walking in. Most groups have a president and other volun-told members in leadership roles that welcome new guests. They WANT YOU there. Remember that.
Remind yourself that everyone is there to network. The more people I talk to about networking are just as terrified as you are. Seriously, 80 percent of the people there are secretly terrified. I know, I asked them! 😆This is sorta of my “I got to grab a coffee,” moment that is sometimes needed for me in big groups. I know I know your boy is a social butterfly but, it can be overwhelming.
I excuse myself from whomever I am around, get a coffee and calm myself down by thinking about how 80 percent of the people are terrified as well. Once, I make my coffee I go right back to where I was. It is my own little break glass scenario and it hasn’t let me down. Once I have that I feel I have a button to push if it feels too much and just knowing that, that I have that, helps me when thinking about going to a networking event.
The great Ted Lasso show on Apple TV had a great moment where they were all talking about what they do before they enter a room that they feel a little anxious about. ⬇️Link ⬇️ warning there is a muffled F bomb. It’s a great scene.
Rebecca on Ted Lasso, making herself BIG before entering a room
Find yourself a partner in crime. Seriously, this is the best way to enter these things and the more the merrier. A simple “hey I’m thinking about going do you want to go with me?” Their first response will some swear word followed by no. The thing is, ask them again a couple days later, I bet their stance is softened. 🤣 Then hit em with the “you don’t want to go alone.”
Going to a networking event knowing 3-5 people that you talk to on a regular basis is, seriously, fun. You may think I sound crazy but walking into a room with a group of people all sorta, kinda, anxious and being able to SEE 👀 them while networking is such a relief. The beautiful part about it is that the end of the night you can all leave at once too. When it starts to feel like networking is becoming a team building experience you know you hit a sweet spot.
Bring business cards every time. Arrive Early every time. This is great for groups too. Get a drink or go eat before.
Let’s walk through the door.
Above: drawing hanging in my living room. Bonus points what game the boys are playing in the reflection!
🔲 Ok. Now What? 🔲
You walked through the door and your in the room.
Have a look around. You prepared, brought a friend. You are doing it. Let’s identify how to read a room and start building bridges to long term partners.
Find the Connectors - individuals who seem to know everybody and enjoy making introductions
Good Qualities to look for in a Connector:
Actively listens - Focusing on others, asking insightful questions
Builds Rapport Quickly - makes others comfortable with friendly demeanor, inviting, finds common ground in conversations
Makes Introductions - Its one thing to say you know a guy its another to connect them and in a genuine way, values relationships over transactions
Potential Collaborators - identify people in complementary industries or niches who could become partners in joint ventures.
This is where preparation comes into play. For the sake of death by a million examples let’s say we are carpet company.
General Contractors, Realtors, Plumbers, Insurance Agents, Cleaners, Mortgage Brokers, Country Club Managers, and anything else that has floors. Seriously, what you sitting/stand on right now? Exactly.
That is as broad as you should be thinking. There are no bad connections. Us, as a carpet company has unlimited Potential Collaborators.
Start small, have 2-3 people in mind that you want to have a quality conversation with and potentially be ready to ask for an appointment or coffee if they seem like a good fit.
Try to have one to one chats with the 2-3 people if possible but maybe it’s impossible to do so. That is ok, you at least gave them your card and if the meeting is scheduled weekly meeting then maybe the next week you try again for a one to one meeting. What I like to do is reach out to them during the week via email and ask to go out to grab a coffee after the next weekly meeting. This is something that has worked great for me.
Don’t go in thinking you're going to make a connection that is going to change your whole business but, if it does, how awesome is that? Networking is all about impressions. When someone thinks of Carpets they think of us! THATS the goal when Building Bridges.
😉 Some secret weapons
🛡️Communicate your value - craft a clear elevator pitch, you know the one below this ⬇️
The Hickory Algorithm is a podcast and community hub dedicated to celebrating the stories, culture, and businesses that make Hickory, North Carolina - my favorite. Each Newsletter spotlights solutions, experiences, and a different perspective to help you, the small business owner with insights, inspiration and strategies for personal and professional growth.
⬆️ I balked at this when I started networking. Don’t think of this as being a sales pitch think of it as a concentrated dream in as little words as possible. What do you see when you look at your business? How can it help people? Vision? It’s a great exercise if not anything else it can help you craft out everything for your business.
⚔️Show your work - if at any point you can show your work, you should.
My business cards have a QR code on them taking the potential client or partner to a Show on my YouTube Channel which shows them exactly what the Hickory Algorithm is all about.
A lot of contractors enjoy their brochures with multi panel shenanigans which is something I love because I would do the EXACT same thing. 🤣
Below are some keys takeaways to Success when Building Bridges:
Once you start networking and seeing some of the same people every week things will start to click. You will start to attract the right people to you. People watch, you watch people, and it’s no difference from anything else. Once you start Building Bridges and the process starts to be about The Space between Networking.
In the third and final installment of The Art of Networking with Part 3: The Space Between Networking. We looked up groups, we walked through the doors, we talked to the people, and now what? Part 3: The Space Between Networking focuses on the next steps.
📆 Save the Dates! Well if you aren’t busy 📆
👀 Speaking of Networking
THIS SATURDAY NIGHT! Network from your home. Get your gamer microphones and log onto Rocket League. It is cross platform so we can play some games and unwind on our couches. I have been practicing! I tell my kids to call me, Zava (another Ted Lasso call back - sorry). Add me @thealgorithm828, at least look at that expert headset I placed on the photo below. Next level stuff.
Cost is again - FREE.
Speaking of FREE!
📍FREE CONTENT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES 📍
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEOGRAPHY INVITE ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE
🆓 Do you want free professional videography content on your socials? Hickory Algorithm is looking for 10 well, 9 no, 8, now, small business owners to come to Happy Sips in the Hickory Arcade Building on February 8th. How do you eat your pop tart and how it works?
🆓 We ask you the hard questions like “How do you eat your pop tart?” Describe, possibly demonstrate, how you eat your pop tart, shout out your business, and we keep the video around 30 to 45 seconds, and we sent you the clip to post across your socials. Content doesn’t always have to be serious. Smiles are the best content.
Cost is again - FREE.
⬇️New YouTube Music Playlist⬇️
I grew up in the 90s, we burned cds and made playlist. It’s always a thing.
This playlist is gonna get a good run this month while cooking dinner.
Headspace - Playlist on YouTube Music <~~~~~ LINK
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