Let's have some [productive] fun with this!

You know, if I were a Viking I might not let Oded get away with posting first. But, hey, it's the 21st century and we're way beyond Vikings and Knights and buggy whip manufacturing.

This is the beginning rung of this networking tournament. I had this brainstorm a couple days ago and I can see how this could really produce some mighty fine networkers.

Just to clarify for those of you in network marketing - we're talking about NETWORKING or as some people call it SOCIAL Networking. Some sites overdo the social part, but the reason I believe "social" is part of it is to distinguish this from computer networking and and network marketing.

We're here to help each other make connections that will further our goals.

Here is the question we're answering when we make a request [not an advertisement! This means you, mortgage brokers!]:

"What do you need next?"

You could also say, "How can I help you?"

The idea is that if we understand what you're looking for, we can search our mental database to see if we know someone similar to what you have described. One example of this might be someone who says they would like to connect with newly married couples in the Los Angeles area. This is the kind of request you might hear from a life insurance agent.

Another key here is that we want to describe the kind of person(s) we want to meet with words that almost anyone can understand. That way, someone who does not work in the same industry as you can say, "Oh, I understand. You should talk to my brother-in-law, Freddie." In this way we can actively help each other find real prospects and bypass cold calling.

I highly recommend [If it were within my power, I would require it...] introducing someone over the phone or other voice communication if you cannot meet for a three-way coffee. Absolute minimum should be a three-way email introduction. Personally, I introduce people in person or by voice about 90% of the time. You don't simply give someone contact information for someone else. This is only about 10% better than cold-calling. You must prepare the way so that both parties are ready. I am speaking from experience. I have been actively networking for over five years and there are people who call me Dr. Network.

When this is done right, you can't believe how good it can be. Really. So, if you do this and don't get great results, you're probably not following the admonitions above.

We have to be patient with each other. This is level zero. That being said, no one should take advantage and start spamming this space with ads and long-winded nonsense. [Too late?] However, there is a remedy if people start doing that. Those of us who won't put up with that will move to another space! So, please, let's not go down that road.

I have done this type of networking LIVE, too. By the way, it's called SNAP and I've done it with Cannon Training & Development and IBIGlobal. SNAP stands for Super Networking Accelerates Potential! It really does. About five years ago I was still in life insurance. I was in a room of around 300 people and I SNAPped for entrepreneurs who were raising capital privately and so needed to purchase key man life insurance. I got 40 good leads in about an hour! It's a LOT of fun live and I hope we'll have some fun here, too. The "rules" are there to guide us to productivity!

For now, the commonality is that you are all directly connected to Charlie Hicks-Moore [me] at LinkedIn.com.

Last, but certainly not least, thanks to Peter and Oded for joining this blog right away. Anyone who thinks they are too busy to take a few minutes and follow the invitation I send should just look at Peter's profile. Anyone can see that this President and CEO is very busy. So, follow that invitation from me [and Blogger.com]and join us!

Charlie Hicks-Moore's LinkedIn Profile

Oded Ilan

Peter Luiks