One of the best recommendations I ever received was from a non-client. Pre-pandemic, I had coffee with a woman in the YES network. She shared her elevator pitch and asked for my thoughts. I made a small suggestion, and we moved on. The next time she and I were in a networking setting, she publicly thanked me for my suggestion. In that moment, not only did she make others notice me and my skillset, but she also made me loyal to her when I come across businesses who could use her services. She became part of my tribe.
As our world reopens, we are reevaluating what is important. We want to connect, but we also want to use the break as an opportunity to start fresh! Which social and networking events are important? Which ones give you the opportunity to connect with the right people for your business? Your tribe. How do you make yourself the right person with whom to connect.
Be open and authentic with everyone you come across. Any interaction could lead to business, but don’t approach every interaction with that intent. Instead, be open to the conversation, and offer solid advice when asked.
Share resources, advice and content freely. This does not mean giving away your trade secrets, but give others a peek at what it’s like to do business with you. Sharing specific, relatable content, like articles you have written and/or come across is a great way to show you understand their needs and interests. You may even want to offer free tools or white papers on your website that highlight how you will guide them.
Marketing has to shift to make people in your target market the hero. To reach their inner hero, you have to connect them to a relatable story.
Storytelling is an ancient art. For centuries, tribes have shared stories to keep history and culture alive. When you tell a relatable story, you pull people in your tribe into that story. Stories about similar clients show how you will guide them should they engage your services. When someone connects with a story, they want to be part of it.
Find Your Tribe
As you begin networking with a new perspective, you will start not only seeking, but attracting, people who approach business the same way you do. If you’ve been around YES for some time, it’s likely you have felt that the people you have met here are your tribe. If you’re newer to the YES Community, we hope you will soon discover that you are part of this tribe.