bonsai networking: using social media and f2f networking to cultivate a power network

A guide to cultivating your power network by using new media techniques with old school

networking

#BonsaiNW

Thursday, October 7, 2010

A Bonsai Network is a cultivated Sphere of

Influence

A sphere of influence is the group of people (your network) who know, like and trust you.

They refer you, they support you and they help you. Treat them like gold. Always thank them, even if a referral doesn't work out.

Why Bonsai?


Objectives for this session

• Rules of Bonsai Networking• Real life examples• Your Online Presence• Your Offline Presence• Brining social media and F2F networking

together• Your best networking partners• Resources• What's next?


The 5 Rules of Bonsai Networking

1. The Rule of Reciprocity (Pollination)2. The Rule of Value Added (Fertilization)3. The Rule of Quality over Quantity (Pruning)4. The Rule of Purposeful Planning (Patience)

5. The Golden Rule


Real Life Examples


Your Online Presence

Hub and Spoke

FacebookTwitterVideoPhotographyLinkedInLocation based appsBlog RSSEmail


Determine your Hub

Everyone needs an online home-base

is this your website?

is this your blog?

this is where you send people back to via social profiles, email signatures and business cards


Social MediaSelect a few which resonate with your interests. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin are very well known, but there are dozens!


Your Offline Presence

Civic GroupsIndustry GroupsLocal GroupsHobbiesSportsPlaces of worshipChambers B2B Networking GroupsSchools


Bringing it all together

O2O (online to offline)

CoffeeDrinksA mutual eventMeet-upsTweet-upsShout-outs


Applying the 5 Rules

Rule 1 -The Rule of Reciprocity (Pollination)

Promoting othersTheir blogsTheir business (referrals)Their eventsTheir causes

Via Shares, Likes, Introductions, Recommendations, Re-tweets



Rule 2 - The Value Added Rule (Fertilization)

Status updatesShared linksContent of your blogsSegmentationLife-streaming vs. Value Added Content


Applying the 5 Rules Rule 3 - Quality over Quantity (Pruning)

In those we followIn those online channels we selectIn those offline groups we belong to

You can't do everything well, so stop trying. Select a few online and offline places and do them very well. Become involved and add value.



Rule 4 - Purposeful Planning (Patience)

• Goals• Objectives• A plan• Selectivity• Segmentation• Time• No scattershot approach



Rule 5 - The Golden Rule

This is not churn and burn, this is building relationships for life.When "unfriend" is as easy as a click, the Golden Rule was never so important as now.

Don't SpamNot with your Facebook and Twitter statusesNot with canned scripted callsNot with location based app updatesNot in your networking conversations


Your best networking partners

Your tightest circle is going to be a combination of:

1) Your raving fans 2) Those you, like yourself, have a service, product or message to share (ie small business owners, bloggers, job seekers) because they not only understand the value of networking and reciprocity but they are out there doing the same thing as you are, broadening your reach.

- Bloggers- Small Business Owners- Job Seekers


On Partner Building• Don't be intimidated of those at the "top", everyone is just a

person• Twitter is the great equalizer• Groom and support those just entering Social Media• Surround yourself with great people• Let the top "pull" you up• Surround yourself with others with like mindedness• Collaborate on projects• Always thank them for their referrals


Resources (Books)Who’s Got Your Back Flip the FunnelThe Whuffie FactorLove is the Killer AppEngageDuct Tape Marketing

6 Pixels of SeparationCrush ItReferral EngineTribesTrust AgentsSocialnomics


Takeaways

• You never know where something might lead• Look for fellow bonsai growers and fertilize them• Remember the Golden Rule• Be selective• Be a blessing• Take it offline• Don't be afraid• Have a plan• Be patient• Pay it forward


What's Next?

November - Intermediate Bonsai Cultivation

Putting a plan in place and getting it up and running in 30 daysYour own hub and spokesCommunity networkingRSSAdditional social media sitesAdditional resources

Cost $50


What's Next December - Advanced Bonsai Cultivation

For the people who enjoy tech.

Advanced tips, tricks and techniques on how to bring it all together.

Blog commentsPower social mediaAdvanced find and followStart something specialReach for the starsBranding

Cost $50 OR Both $80


"It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed."

- Napoleon Hill


bonsai networking: using social media and f2f networking to cultivate a power network

Education

small business

real life

purposeful

job seekers

online presence

golden rule

networking

people