JetNetting ™ With Heshie Segal

Drive Your Visibility By Showing Up: Be Everywhere and Your Relationships Will Explode

Part 1

With new social networks popping up each day, and even by the hour, it might be quite easy to never leave home or never leave the office and feel as though you have hundreds and thousands of “friends”. You are visible, you are everywhere, and you are connected. Furthermore, your chances for becoming extremely prosperous by having your entire business online are excellent. And, there still comes a time when you will want to be out in the sun, the snow and even the rain. You will want to have that powerful human connection that is only present when you are face to face.

So now the question is how do I do it? It seems so simplistic and yet for those who spend their time working and being most comfortable becoming visible on the Internet and through e-mails, it might not be perceived as a such a simple matter. In fact, for people who are shy or more task or fact oriented, it could appear as a daunting task. The truth is it does take skills and they can be acquired. They are not difficult. They simply have to be learned and utilized.

So let’s start at the beginning and see what it takes to become really visible. Know this: You are in charge of determining your visibility. If you want to be visible, then you get to create the process and the outcome. It is your identity; therefore, it is your responsibility to choose the course of how you become visible, why, when, and where.

It all starts with knowing who you are, not the imitation of someone you admire. Adapt, if you will, do not adopt. Accept what is congruent with your beliefs and reject that which goes against your values. When you take a stand for your beliefs, you will stand out.

Even before you leave the house or office, there are a few things you can do to get prepared.

1. Read the newspapers to find out about events
2. Check the community calendar for special events and pre-select the networking/JetNetting events you want to attend.
3. Research community clubs, your local Chamber of Commerce, professional and other organizations and join the ones most suited to your goals. A BIG tip – go where you are different from the rest. For example, if you are a writer, go to a speaker’s group, if you are a speaker, go to a meeting planner’s group, if you are a web designer, go to a small business development meeting, etc.)
4. Leave your projects, deadlines and clutter behind you.
5. Dress appropriately for the occasion; first impressions DO count.

a. Clothing

b. Accessories

c. Color

d. Style

6. Wear an attitude of confidence, self-assuredness and light-heartedness. People are attracted to these traits. They want to be with you and like you when you are fun and so visible; you become the center of attention, you become a magnet.
7. When you arrive at an event, introduce yourself to people. If this is difficult, tell people this is your first time and or let the event host know you are new and ask for introductions.
8. Make others feel comfortable; show an interest in them by asking questions (not too personal in the beginning) and then LISTEN to the answers. Do not prepare your next question until you have hard their response. Become visible because of your excellent communication skills.
9. Extend your hand with a firm handshake. A limp handshake anchors negative visibility.
10. Maintain eye contact.
11. Be happy to be there, smile authentically, stand a little taller and know you are making an impact (even if, at first, it doesn’t feel like it).
12. Stand or sit with an open posture. (Folded arms is a widely know closed position. It signals you are putting barriers between you and the rest of the world. An open, welcoming posture is a must . . . if you are looking for quality relationships and visibility.)
13. Once you meet people, be the one to introduce your new acquaintances to others.
14. Be prepared with small talk, give statistics relevant to the event you are attending, and use short stories as examples of a point you want to get across.
15. Collect business cards, and only from those you wish to be connected to. Be selective.
16. Follow up, by keeping in touch, and by selecting the influencers, building relationships with them and referring them to others to enhance their mutual businesses.
17. Build on this experience by taking the next steps in the world of being visible; be everywhere.

Sample the buffet: attend conferences, seminars, job fairs, community and other special events, trade shows, openings of new businesses, seminars, fundraisers, art shows, etc.

You have now gone to a number of events and have checked out the organizations or associations you wish to join. Clearly, they must be in alignment with your goals and business plan (by the way, do you have a business plan for your personal life as well as your business?

Join one or two groups and become visible by doing more than paying dues. Work on a committee or two, perhaps take on a chair position, or plan and/or lead an event.

Serve on the board of a non-profit organization. Your talent and expertise will be appreciated. The time you invest will allow you to meet other people with whom you already have something in common and it gives you the opportunity for even greater exposure.

You have a choice: appear everywhere to be visible or appear nowhere and remain invisible. The latter is not good for your business; the former is a winning ticket. People notice when you are "everywhere". People do business with people they see, like and respect.

Next Month
Part 2 – Driving Your Visibility to the Next Level

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