Networking

For sure, I get lots of requests for referrals, letters of recommendation, resumes, etc. and it is the people that provide me with the resources to help them that I say yes to. If someone asks for a referral, I always respond by telling them that I would love to if they provide me with an example or outline of what they are looking for.or want me to base my referral on (and I want to tell you that I only give referrals for people I believe in). Should I believe in you? Put some skin in the game and then if you do not expect me to spend my valuable time solving your problem - I more than likely will be willing to help you.

In that same vein, when I am personally asking someone for help, I do all of the work for them and all they have to do is sign their name, send an email, present the fully prepared webinar if they approve the content. I do not expect anyone to work for me if I am asking them for help Once again I want you to remember this - I do all of the work !!

Here are some tips to your asking for help and getting it - know this up front - asking for help from a prominent person in your business community will be very difficult to get. First you have to overcome your own issues like - the fear of asking for help, which is the hardest part for a newbie and for me! Then you have to be fully prepared - don't ask for help without getting everything in order ... and last of all -- you must get a yes. Once you have someone who is known within the community in your arsenal, it is much easier to get others. And, once they re-post your article or retweet you, you will find that their following will do the same. So, get one and the rest will follow.

Do 99.5% of the work for them. Always provide all of the material and information for them so that they can approve it and move on to the next action item. If you make it difficult they will either pass it up or "save it for later" and we all know how that turns out. I have about a million of those! An good example would be - if you ask them to do a webinar - or do an interview - or a presentation with you - prepare the full presentation for them to review and approve. You do not ever want to surprise them or they will never trust you or work with you again - i.e. they will not help get your word out by letting you post to their site or even use you to promote themselves and you. Start with 1 and get 10 - if you properly position yourself and gain their trust, they will be more willing to work with you in the future. Once you get them to agree to re-post an article to their website for example and it goes well, then you can comfortably ask them to be present at your local business presentation.

After that goes well, do a webinar with them. The most important thing here is to respect their time and always make them look good! Everything must be close - ended ---- If you have been in sales or network marketing for any length of time, you know it is imperative to set deadlines! If you do not, neither party will perform - you included. I am not proud of the fact that I can be a procrastinator at times, but sometimes the thrill of the deadline is fun. So, if you know something is due on Thursday - set your deadline on Wednesday - this way if something goes wrong , you will still have time and so will the people you are asking help from. Never ask them to mull-it-over - this is a segue from the last point so I will repeat it for the second time because it is so important. If you present your information and the person you are presenting it to likes it - always ask for the sale!

Your sale in this situation is you asking them to agree to do something. But if you are presenting an article and while you are talking to them they say that they like it, then close the presentation! Ask them when they will be able to post. Don't waste their time or yours. Do you like someone wasting your time - Don't - and I bet you don't either. It is a sign of respect. And you better believe that! I believe provided you with some great information -this is something that took me several years and many failures to learn - but learn it I did! And as always you must live well to be well.