Networking Pro Tip: Holiday Auctions Edition
I know a lot of people who, despite hating to network with the fire of a thousand suns will, at the same time, blow my mind by casually mentioning their plan to spend good American currency to join commercial groups, or associations and thus receive selected “opportunities.” Oh. So you’re going to ignore the alumni associations of your college or grad school or sports league, but you’ll join some manufactured “American Women in Media,” for example, and expect them to give you enough serious leads to maintain you and the lifestyle you desperately want. Oh. (Is it too early to have a double triple gin & tonic, hold the tonic? I’m asking for a friend.)
And I write these words, knowing–because I hear it all day, every damn day–how much most people loathe to network. You hate to network, but you want to get married, and have friends, and live the kind of rich, fun, sepia-toned life you see depicted in Williams-Sonoma advertisements for over-priced frying pans…,okey-dokey. How are you going to acquire all those people and experiences if you’re afraid of meeting people? NETWORKING=LIFE. (No, no I’m calm. I’m fine. Don’t mind me, I’ll just breathe deeply into this paper bag, with my head between my knees. I’m totally fine. #ragerising)
You don’t have to agree with me, but based on my own personal experiences, based on what’s worked for me and countless clients, and you know, people throughout the course of human history, the best networking is emotional. By “emotional,” I mean the best networking builds organically out of shared experiences and ideas–i.e. we went to the same college, and thus retain similar memories of the experience, even if we didn’t know each other or even go at the same time–rather than, I paid this group a couple of hundred dollars, and they gave me your name and told me that you needed someone to take photos of your wedding, so how about it, you gonna hire me, or what?
I’m just suggesting that before you spend any money, how about you look through the emails and websites of some of your fave organizations, whether it’s your kidlet’s religious school, or a charity organization, or hospital, and find out if, as part of their holiday plans, they’re going to hold any (silent) auctions. If so,contact them, tell them what your business does, and find out how you can donate your business services to their auction. They’d probably be thrilled to auction off, for example, a starter package of your services to people participating in the auction.
That way, not only will people find out about your services, but you’ll get some great free publicity (not to mention, good karma), and you can mention on your website–or blog, Google + profile, LinkedIn status, Twitter account, or, ideally, all of the above–that you’re proud to support such-and-such group and all the great work they do. Not to mention, whoever bids on your services is a new potential client, and if you make them happy, they’re likely to recommend you to all their friends and family.
If that strikes you as an excellent idea, then yes, you’re welcome, and I won’t ruin it, by reminding you that it also is a tried-and-true form of networking. #gettowork