Finding Contacts on the Internet
We will begin our series on Internet Networking with the first thing it takes to network and that is contact with people. Statistics vary but according to Internet World Stats there are upwards of 1.1 billion people in the world with Internet accessibility. That's a heck of a lot of people to get to know.
But we also know that we can't get to know them all .. in fact, we don't want to. Not all those people could be in a mutually beneficial business relationship with us. If we are here for business, we need to narrow the field of contacts down to ones that we can help and/or that can help us.
Where do we start? First, decide WHO you need to get to know. Not their names, but what they do. Who can refer you clients the easiest? Are they Bankers? Lawyers? Realtors? Printers? Contractors? What fields of business would help you most by having associations with them? What fields of business are you currently looking to expand your client base in? Are most of you clients doctors? Would you like more? Or what fields of business DON'T you have any clients in but would like to? Would you like to START servicing CPAs? You need to make a list of the FIELDS of business that would best help you.
Once that list is made, you want to narrow down the volume of people you associate with to those in places where your target professions can be found. How do you do that?
1. Find lists that your target professionals participate in. You can contact Topica. Here you can search by profession if you wish. If you already HAVE contacts in the fields on your target list, ask them what online lists they participate in.
2. Find Newsgroups that your target professionals participate in. Visit Google Groups. This is a website that keeps track of all the Internet newsgroups and the postings to those groups. Using keywords for each of the professions you're seeking, you'll find newsgroups that discuss topics that are relevant to those professions via Google Groups. As with any keyword search, the more specific you are, the narrower the search, and the easier it will be to pinpoint the information you're seeking.
3. Search on the Internet for associations that your target group might be members of. Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations, Fraternal Groups, and various civic groups would be excellent places to start.
4. Read SIG* files for everyone who posts to the lists and newsgroups that you are currently active on. Watch for your target professions.
5. Put a request at the end of YOUR SIG if there are specific fields you are looking to make contact with. Something like:
I am currently seeking Realtors, Bankers, Title Companies, and Attorneys for possible business referrals.
6. Use AUTORESPONDERS to provide information about who you are looking for and why (looking to exchange referrals, expand your client base, get opinions on new products and services, etc.) These work 24 hours a day for you and are so reasonably priced, I don't understand why EVERYBODY doesn't use them. I have 25 running right now.
7. Participate in online networking groups.
Next month we will talk about ways to build mutually profitable relationships with these people once you find them.
(*Jargon Alert: SIG
A SIG file is a brief text file that is automatically included at the end of every email you send. For example, consider the SIG used by Nancy Roebke:
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* CanadaOne)
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