Ep 2-1 - Networking: Its not Who You Know, its Who Knows You.
January 15th, 2007 by 
chris
Ep 2-1 - Networking: Its not Who You Know, its Who Knows You. -:- AnswersForFreelancers@gmail.com [45:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Know it or not, we all have a number of networks in our lives. Our friends. Our family. Our workmates. All are sub-networks within the larger network we call our lives. Networks happen every day, and as we change and grow, our networks change and grow with us. We use our networks for information, connections and help. We find great entertainment, deals, and services based on recommendations from our networks. Networking isn’t about selling, its about creating and passing along goodwill to those you work with, like, and respect. When you’re connected, it stops becoming about whether or not you can solve the problem, and instead becomes about whether or not your network can solve the problem. If you get that, you begin to see the power of networking. If you see the power of networking, then you start seeing the need to pay attention and manage your networking efforts. Networking isn’t about selling, its about connecting. It isn’t about selling, its about solving problems. It isn’t about selling, its about creating communities. It isn’t about selling, its about becoming top-of-mind to those who can help you build your business. Networking isn’t about selling, its about living.
Glad to get this interview out there. I interviewed Bill last November, just a couple of days after our interview with Michael Gerber, which caused such a stir amongst ourselves and some of our listeners, that we ended up revisiting the Gerber topic and sitting on this interview longer than we expected. Sorry, Bill!
Show Notes:
Networking You - http://www.networkingyou.com/
Why Don’t Doctors Cold Call - http://networkingyou.com/self_study.htm
Networking Boot Camp - February 1st - Glastonbury, CT
Books mentioned by Bill, written by Harvey Mackay:
Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty
Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten
You know, if we’re gonna keep linking to books, maybe we should get an affiliate account?
Online Networking Resources mentioned in the interview
LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/
MySpace - http://myspace.com/
Second Life - http://secondlife.com/
Posted in Art Biz, Foundations, Interviews, Podcasts | 
January 16th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Hi, Chris,
I think building a network is a very important thing, especially for freelancers.
I built most of my contacts at the art school, but I want to enlarge my network. As time goes by, people lose some of the connections because of different reasons, and I think new and DIVERSE contacts should be always welcome.
I would argue about having NECESSARILY to talk face to face. It gives you a stronger impression, yes, but sometimes it’s not possible. Now I am networking with you, for example, and I think it goes very well. Of course, I’d be glad to meet you personally, too!
Thanks for the interview
Regards
Alex
January 16th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Alex,
I understand what you are saying about the need to meet face to face. I don’t think we meant that you actually had to meet all of your contacts face to face. In fact, some of my best references have been clients whom I’ve never met face to face.
Instead, I think what Bill was talking about was blindly making connections or recommending people that you don’t really know and whom you’ve never seen the quality of their work. Some people who use online systems like MySpace or LinkedIn abuse the system by playing the numbers game and accepting anybody that asks to be their friend. While that may be OK for people who are just in it to have fun, in the professional ring, that could ruin your reputation, or at least make people question the value of your recommendations. Its inadvisable to recommend people that you don’t know to people who trust you.
For instance, I know the CEOs of several companies because I’ve worked directly for them. When looking at my LinkedIn profile, someone in my LinkedIn network might find them and ask for an introduction. If I know a person, either through a working or personal relationship, then I might make the introduction. But if I hardly know the person, I might be reluctant to risk my own access and reputation by recommending that person.
Other than that, use the tools. They are a great way to manage contacts, and a great way to see who your friends can introduce you to.
January 17th, 2007 at 3:14 am
I agree of course. Before making business with somebody one should have already built what Bill called “a sense of credibility and trust”, which is getting to know the person or their work.
So we’re on the same page.
Thanks
Alex
January 18th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Just want to throw this out there to get some feed back from the wise. I believe in networking , and have formed some great relationships through my personal experiences. However, networking in a small town for freelance jobs has not turned out so well. I have ended up designing logos for payment in the form of cheeseburgers ( no pickles, please.. thanks. ). I really think that with the technology out there today I should be able to network worldwide (as in world wide web). I don’t want to stop utilizing the FREE in FREElanceing, I love doing the pro-bono for my local churches, and even for some of the old business / CEO gentlemen who think I “DRAW” really good on that computer of mine. So.. how do i add some larger type jobs (along with the bluegrass concert flyers here in mayberry) to my network?
I am listening to each episode , and taking notes… I have almost completed my portfolio web-site which i hope will help out alot. I’m also wondering if an agent is the way to go … Could you guys talk more about having / getting / pros / cons and networking with an agent?
Thanks for showin’ the love to all us who “DRAW” on computers…
you guys really are making a difference…
M.Cross
March 8th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Hello, M.Cross,
I am not one of the wise, but still I’m writing to you.
I think you are already networking out of your small town, because here we are, I’m writing to you from Europe. It really sounds funny, but who knows, we might meet some day. And even do some business together. By the way, I’d like to see your works, you can send me a link or a pdf, and if you’d like to see mine, go to
http://sashil79.googlepages.com/
I’d appreciate your feedback
Thanks
alex
February 11th, 2008 at 12:56 am
OMG, stick bamboo shoots under my nails!! This podcast in particular was hard to get through. I listen to these while I work (from home, freelancing, desktop publishing.) I have never fidgeted, snacked, moved around SO MUCH…
I actually joined a local network about 3 months ago. I have been working at FULL BLAST ever since. I was not really enthused about joining in the first place, but the leader asked me to join, and happened to be one of my biggest fans, as we used to work together (they are a white collar worker).
I listen to a lot of podcasts (with whippersnappers talking like they are the authorities, who give out advice that is the opposite of what really works out here), but I have to tell you. I truly believe I was in the right place at the right time. Plus, our group is exclusive, no overlaps. It sounded snooty to me at first, but is an absolute God send. I’m busy, they LOVE my work, and we are both happy. THAT’s what it’s all about for me.
I have been a graphic designer going on 20 years and have never had such a massive flow of work before (knock on wood). I am getting hooked up with big leaguers’ in my area that I never ever thought I would deal with.
My advise is if you even THINK you want to join a group, be IRREPLACEABLE to someone within first. Impress the hell out of them with your work, geared towards them. Yes, it sounds like a game…. but it is the game of your bank account and your bills getting paid. You are only just showing your worth. How else would they know?
Anyway, that’s my two cents.
P.S. - I am listening to your shows backwards, I started out at the next to last one you did (the last one is corrupted or something, maybe you know that? That is why I am just posting a comment to this one a year later!!
February 11th, 2008 at 1:03 am
PSS - Start practicing saying “No” to bartering, unless, I don’t know, they are offering you a MacBook pro laptop, or a free adobe Creative Suite or something of REAL value. You don’t have to be mean, just be honest - “a free oil change is not going to pay my bills this month.”
And VOLUME is the key!!! Get busy, real busy!!