How to Get the Most Out of a Leads Group
Copyright © 2005 Leni Chauvin
The Client Attraction Coach (tm)
http://www.SuperstarNetworking.com
Most entrepreneurs are familiar with the concept of
networking or leads groups. They are in cities all across North America
and around the world.
These groups typically meet once per week for the
purpose of exchanging leads among their members. Usually only one
person per occupation is allowed to join the group so there is never
any competition for referrals.
Lots of people join these groups, and most people
prosper tremendously from them. If you're serious about increasing
your business, you'll find no better team to help you than the dedicated
members of your leads group.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of
your association with your local leads club:
-- Most groups have a structured system in place that
is designed specifically to maximize the number of leads exchanged
every week. The more you work the system, the more that system will
work for you.
-- Members who understand that their leads group is
NOT an extracurricular activity and treat is as seriously as they
would any other business meeting tend to be far more successful in
generating leads.
-- Belonging to more than one leads group at a time
can have a very negative effect on your ability to generate leads
for yourself.
If your groups all restrict membership to one person
per occupation and you have a lead for an accountant, for example,
to which accountant in which group will you give your lead?
The members of each group will begin question your
loyalty to their respective group members and your ability to generate
leads for yourself in each group will be diluted by the number of
groups to which you belong. You are far better off belonging to just
one leads group and spreading your other networking activities out
in different areas.
-- Regular attendance is essential if you want to
not only reinforce who you are and what you do, but also if you want
to be seen as someone who cares about the other members' presentations.
Remember, you're there to give as well as to get. When you show people
you care about them, they, in turn, will care about you and your business
growth.
-- The most successful members are those who get together
outside of the meetings and actually go to one another's places of
business.
A restaurant might be a nice place for a social meeting,
but nothing beats a referral where you can actually give directions,
describe the office, and where you have had the opportunity to meet
managers, staff, etc. Meeting in an office also prompts people to
dig into their databases for referrals. I've seen it happen time and
time again.
-- Serving on the group's leadership team not only
develops strong leadership skills, it showcases your talents as a
businessperson. The work you do as a volunteer is indicative of the
work you do professionally, so roll up your sleeves, dig in, and knock
everyone's socks off by doing an outstanding job.
-- Generating leads from group members comes from
forming relationships with them. This takes time. Use this time wisely
to get to know the other members and understand how you can best serve
them and their needs. It's all about giving, and remember, what goes
around, comes around.
-- Becoming proactive in recruiting new members does
wonders for your business growth. Don't forget that while you're extolling
the merits of your leads group, you're giving out your own business
card. Also, every new member exposes each and every one in the group
to scores of new opportunities.
If you gather that I think leads groups are a great
way to garner new business, you're right! :-) I would strongly encourage
every solo professional, small business owner, and entrepreneur to
seek out and join a group that best suits their needs.
Bottom Line: You reap what you sow and there's
no more fertile ground than a group whose success is based upon your
success.
Copyright Leni Chauvin
Leni Chauvin coaches ordinary people to build and
market extraordinary businesses. The strategies in her Attract Clients
Galore Marketing System(tm) help solo professionals get more (and
better) clients without having to spend a fortune to do it. Subscribe
to Leni's newsletter for tips to help you grow your business, too.
http://www.SuperstarNetworking.com
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