Saturday
Nov142009
For The "Struggling" Networker, With Heart
Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 09:51AM As you've likely noticed, Ann and I are partial to entrepreneurs of all types, and that's reflected in the business training we do.
But because we both developed our skills FIRST in the networking industry we have a soft spot for "the struggling networker."
Today's lesson is about Attracting high quality leads to you.
But I should stress:
The emphasis is on 'high quality' because a lead in and of itself is worthless unless the person is responsive.
The message today is simple--
It is something you can change about your approach to business immediately. And the moment you do, you're on a new course--
A course that attracts business and fits your personality.
While this strategy can be used by ALL types of business owners and entrepreneurs, not 'just' networkers, I am talking strictly to networkers today because they're the only large group of business growers who tend to "NOT" do what I'm about to describe.
"Take measures to establish credibility within a social community--so people see you as a valuable expert."
Hang with me here--
Those of you who need this most are the same ones who resist it--because it might be painful for you to even consider becoming a valuable contributor within a social community.
Many think, "It's not a fast pay-off."
Well, I beg to differ.
How well has the "so-called" short-cut been working for you so far??
It may be time to fill the empty void in your business, where the money and time have been falling into.
Today's lesson is about Attracting high quality leads to you.
But I should stress:
The emphasis is on 'high quality' because a lead in and of itself is worthless unless the person is responsive.
The message today is simple--
It is something you can change about your approach to business immediately. And the moment you do, you're on a new course--
A course that attracts business and fits your personality.
While this strategy can be used by ALL types of business owners and entrepreneurs, not 'just' networkers, I am talking strictly to networkers today because they're the only large group of business growers who tend to "NOT" do what I'm about to describe.
"Take measures to establish credibility within a social community--so people see you as a valuable expert."
Hang with me here--
Those of you who need this most are the same ones who resist it--because it might be painful for you to even consider becoming a valuable contributor within a social community.
Many think, "It's not a fast pay-off."
Well, I beg to differ.
How well has the "so-called" short-cut been working for you so far??
It may be time to fill the empty void in your business, where the money and time have been falling into.
That empty void is the misplaced belief that you'll succeed faster if you focus solely on generating leads so you can sell stuff to them. Don't you realize they can feel that from you?
Fill the void first with a contribution to a social community to gain exposure and credibility, because that is WHAT attracts people to you and makes the leads you generate "become" responsive.
Oh, now we're getting to the good stuff.
How do you do it?
In traditional business, people join associations and social networks, while establishing themselves as a credible contributor within that group.
They volunteer.
They might network at Toast Masters or join networking clubs.
That can work, but it is not nearly as leveraging as doing this same thing on the Internet.
Fill the void first with a contribution to a social community to gain exposure and credibility, because that is WHAT attracts people to you and makes the leads you generate "become" responsive.
Oh, now we're getting to the good stuff.
How do you do it?
In traditional business, people join associations and social networks, while establishing themselves as a credible contributor within that group.
They volunteer.
They might network at Toast Masters or join networking clubs.
That can work, but it is not nearly as leveraging as doing this same thing on the Internet.
And that's what many are doing now...
They become contributors within online social networks and communities.
Traditional business owners totally "get it" ... If they're successful.
It's about positioning...
"To attract a lot of business, don't just focus on finding 'fresh meat' to sell to every day."
First, position yourself in ways that will establish trust, credibility and that naturally draw people to you.
If you look at the most successful networkers, this IS exactly what they've been doing as well. Its just not the norm for the industry.
I was with a networking company for 14 years... I noticed that most of the successful people were active in their community in some way, like at their church.
Traditional business owners totally "get it" ... If they're successful.
It's about positioning...
"To attract a lot of business, don't just focus on finding 'fresh meat' to sell to every day."
First, position yourself in ways that will establish trust, credibility and that naturally draw people to you.
If you look at the most successful networkers, this IS exactly what they've been doing as well. Its just not the norm for the industry.
I was with a networking company for 14 years... I noticed that most of the successful people were active in their community in some way, like at their church.
One of them attended 'networking functions' regularly, but not only that... she was always volunteering and taking a leadership role there.
One of them had a radio show.
These people were socially influential BECAUSE they did things that placed themselves in front of people as a credible resources in one way or another.
Very few networkers approach their business this way--because they are so shortsighted they can't see that the path they're choosing leads nowhere.
They are so fixated on selling "systematically" that people feel uncomfortable buying from them altogether. Sure you might make some sales, but that focus will of course be full of resistance. Few people will ever break-even because they never learn what really attracts business to them.
Don't misunderstand ...
I didn't say not to systematize your approach--you should.
Very few networkers approach their business this way--because they are so shortsighted they can't see that the path they're choosing leads nowhere.
They are so fixated on selling "systematically" that people feel uncomfortable buying from them altogether. Sure you might make some sales, but that focus will of course be full of resistance. Few people will ever break-even because they never learn what really attracts business to them.
Don't misunderstand ...
I didn't say not to systematize your approach--you should.
But only AFTER or while you're positioning yourself as a credible resource within social communities. Because then as you generate leads, you have credibility.
That is what makes a lead responsive.
Why do so many networkers resist networking altogether, and why do they resist doing the very things that would position them as a credible resource within a community?
I think it has a lot to do with the lottery mentality so pervasive in the networking industry--caused by the way opportunities are promoted. It's tragic.
Dare to be the successful exception:
If you're seriously considering succeeding, and you'd like the process to be more natural and effortless, consider doing what the successful people do.
There are a lot of ways to go about it such as some of the examples I gave above--
Why do so many networkers resist networking altogether, and why do they resist doing the very things that would position them as a credible resource within a community?
I think it has a lot to do with the lottery mentality so pervasive in the networking industry--caused by the way opportunities are promoted. It's tragic.
Dare to be the successful exception:
If you're seriously considering succeeding, and you'd like the process to be more natural and effortless, consider doing what the successful people do.
There are a lot of ways to go about it such as some of the examples I gave above--
You can use a blog and social media to build an audience online.
But even within those social communities, you want to stand out from the crowd.
Ann and I encourage you to consider Coaching Cognition as one outstanding way of doing that, which will help you both online and offline...
We created Coaching Cognition for this purpose (for you to gain credibility, exposure and influence) so your business can begin growing through a natural process you enjoy. While, at the same time, servicing the needs of the entire entrepreneurial industry.
You've likely heard reference to Coaching Cognition a few times already--
Ann and I encourage you to consider Coaching Cognition as one outstanding way of doing that, which will help you both online and offline...
We created Coaching Cognition for this purpose (for you to gain credibility, exposure and influence) so your business can begin growing through a natural process you enjoy. While, at the same time, servicing the needs of the entire entrepreneurial industry.
You've likely heard reference to Coaching Cognition a few times already--
It's the new platform Ann and I are launching as a stand alone resource for entrepreneurs and networkers alike--where we'll direct our large growing audience to get coached on a variety of topics by you and other accredited coaches.
You can become one of our coaches and not just gain significant ongoing exposure and a boost in your credibility out there on the social networks, you can get paid for your coaching to help you earn while you build your bigger networking dream.
Realize that most successful networkers had other cash-flow coming in while they built their networking business.
It's smart.
Coaching Cognition is a 6 month course, but designed to accommodate the most busy and unpredictable schedule. It's unique and highly considerate of the challenges you face day to day.
Its broken up into small groups where you're able to interact with our coach of coaches, Barbara Silva, to develop your skills and literally become a paid accredited coach on this platform (you'll also earn accreditation with ICF, the International Coaching Federation).
In addition, note that Ellie Drake will also be hosting webinars exclusive to our Coaching Cognition students to help you develop your listening and communication skills as a coach, and to help you find inspiration through business in general.
Even if you have no idea how YOU could become a coach at this time, understand that you can.
On next Tuesday we'll be holding a live webinar to show you the platform where our accredited coaches are featured.
We hope you'll be there to consider this unique opportunity to gain credibility, exposure and the skills of an influential person.
Register for the Live Webinar here
Partners in success,
Mike Klingler
P.S. To learn more about enrollment into Coaching Cognition go to
You can become one of our coaches and not just gain significant ongoing exposure and a boost in your credibility out there on the social networks, you can get paid for your coaching to help you earn while you build your bigger networking dream.
Realize that most successful networkers had other cash-flow coming in while they built their networking business.
It's smart.
Coaching Cognition is a 6 month course, but designed to accommodate the most busy and unpredictable schedule. It's unique and highly considerate of the challenges you face day to day.
Its broken up into small groups where you're able to interact with our coach of coaches, Barbara Silva, to develop your skills and literally become a paid accredited coach on this platform (you'll also earn accreditation with ICF, the International Coaching Federation).
In addition, note that Ellie Drake will also be hosting webinars exclusive to our Coaching Cognition students to help you develop your listening and communication skills as a coach, and to help you find inspiration through business in general.
Even if you have no idea how YOU could become a coach at this time, understand that you can.
On next Tuesday we'll be holding a live webinar to show you the platform where our accredited coaches are featured.
We hope you'll be there to consider this unique opportunity to gain credibility, exposure and the skills of an influential person.
Register for the Live Webinar here
Partners in success,
Mike Klingler
P.S. To learn more about enrollment into Coaching Cognition go to
Reader Comments (5)
Mike,
This is so exciting! I have been involved with Coaching Cognition from the very beginning and I can literally say that the training I have received so far has been exceptional to say the least!! The confidence alone that I have gained goes beyond any price tag you could put on this course.
For example, I'm involved with a fund raising group for our baseball program at my son's high school. Normally I would have been the one sitting in the very back, listening quietly and doing what needs to be done that would allow me to remain anonymous. That's not the case now. I sit in the front, provide feedback and offer suggestions.
I even went so far to finally speak out (something I would have NEVER done 6 months ago!) and offered a product from my networking business for a fund raising suggestion. My attitude was, the worst they can say is no. Well, they didn't! I did such a nice job presenting it and letting them know what portion would go to the program that they are now thinking of having each player sell them.
Do I owe that to Coaching Cognition? You bet I do! My confidence level has gone from a 2 to a 10 and that's only a part of what I have taken away from this course. I have also learned to really listen to those I speak with from my own family to friends I meet when I am out and about. I trust my "gut feeling" or intuition much more and find that this method makes me the happiest in the end results.
Would I recommend this training series to others? You bet I would.....trust your gut on this one!!
Having someone of Ellie Drake's caliber contributing to our program says a lot about what we are doing with Coaching Cognition. We want this program to bring real benefits to the folks who take the training, who become coaches with us, or who hire a coach through us.
I believe we will be attracting other people like Ellie who look for ways to increase their circle of influence by providing real help to the communities they influence!
LeeAnn, thanks for sharing your recent successes. It is true that the confidence you build by developing your communication and coaching skills spills over beyond just your business. For you it was raising funds for your sons' baseball team, for me recently it was helping raise funds for men's health research.
When Mike talks about making the process natural and effortless, here's part of what he means. Once you give to a community of people, establish your credibility and show yourself to be consistently trustworthy, everything is made easier. When I wanted to raise the funds for men's health...all it took was one tweet on twitter.
You become more confident in your physical bearing, the strength of your voice, and in your writing. Others can feel that. When you present yourself with genuine confidence -- others have confidence in you too!
It's true Mike, until I and other networkers like me, truly understand how important it is to be consistent in whatever online Social Media site we choose, our Internet web of contacts will have big holes in it .
I find that relationships come and go which is as much my responsibility in being there, interacting, contributing, "being me" among my group of "followers."
I suspect, I will learn something about me in Coaching Cognition that impacts why I struggle with following through with some good marketing practices I know in my head.
I look forward to discoveries, breakthroughs, empowerment to operate more in my giftedness than allow the "shadows" to influence my marketing/relational activity.
Mike,
You always share advice that really hits home...digging deep into the issue. I always knew that one size network marketing did not fit all. I wanted to find a way that I didn't have to push, but to attract, and I found that with you, Ann, and your training.
Coaching Cognition rounds out the person inside me that wants to give..confidently, with credibility and better communication; which will impact every aspect of my life. I couldn't be in a better place, than with Coaching Cognition.
Once again, Mike, you hit close to home. Sure I am involved in social networking sites, but I have not been as committed as I could be to networking with those that I have befriended in the process.
Whether it's a lack of confidence in myself and what I can give back of value to the community is something that I need to look at closely.
Coaching Cognition will help me in many areas of my life and whether I network or not, it is sure to enrich current and future relationships.