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Networking 101: How to Start Building Community Connections (Without It Feeling Awkward) · The Boujee Multipreneur

• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: Hi, welcome back to the Bougie Multipreneur.
• 0:19
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Dr.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: Hilary Heschauer Jones.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_00: Today I really want to dig into networking 101, if you will.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: This prompted me the other day when I was chatting with my intern at my chiropractic office.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_00: And I said, Hey, I'm going to bring you along with me to do some community networking.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: We're going to go get coffee with this person.
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_00: And my intern was like, Oh, I always wondered what how you did that and what to do or to say.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: And I thought, you know, it is kind of a learned thing after like almost 18 years in business.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: So how can I teach you listening if you need it or future people, like new interns, recent grads, someone just starting out in business or just starting out in networking?
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: Like, like, can we really break it down?
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: How to start building these community connections without it feeling awkward, right?
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: Like, what are some basics, for instance, for setting up a coffee meeting?
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: Like, how do people do this?
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: And let's say you're not an extrovert.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: I'm an extrovert.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_00: Let's say you're not an extrovert and you're thinking, this sounds terrible.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't have to be, honestly.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_00: So let's just talk a little bit about how I do it.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: Obviously, there's other ways to do it, but if you ever wonder about how someone does it all the time, like I'm really well known in my community and I love meeting people, I love making connections, I love helping others.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: Let's kind of break it down as a 101 or a crash course, if you will, in local networking.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: So first we got to think about like why are we doing this?
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: Right, why are we spending the time and the stress and the anxiety doing that?
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Because we really need to collaborate with um our local community and professionals.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: So let's say you're a chiropractor or you're in the service industry, you get great referrals, right?
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_00: We have to build a business, you need to collaborate, and we need to meet people because they're not only do you want them to refer to you, but you also need referral sources when people ask you for certain things.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: Like you want to be known as someone that is known, right?
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: You want to be that person that people reach out to.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you want to be on the list, if you will.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: We were just chatting in my office the other day about how like Oprah always had her Oprah list, and like that was the thing.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: If you made the list, right?
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: That's kind of what we want to do.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: We want to be on the list for your community.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: Um, when thinking about, well, like who am I gonna chat with?
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: Where am I gonna meet these people?
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_00: Narrow down to like the industry that you want to meet with, right?
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_00: So, for instance, chiropractors, we often meet with like physical therapists, mental health, dentist, massage therapist, anyone in like the health industry, so to speak.
• 3:22
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it's medical doctors or OBGYNs, depending on your specialty in chiropractic.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_00: But have an idea of like what avenue and type of professional you're looking for that works honestly, and then look at easy places like your local chamber of commerce.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: So easy to find people.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_00: You can find a list of everyone on there.
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_00: You can directly, you know, meet up there.
• 3:48
  SPEAKER_00: But let's say go to a chamber of commerce event and look for people, look for their name tags, right?
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: You see, like, oh, they own this type of health clinic, perfect, right?
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: Then you go up and introduce yourself.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: We'll get to that point, but also different of like community events.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_00: I try to go out to different things.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe it's a ribbon cutting, maybe it is someone else is doing a talk, and you go and you listen, even if maybe you don't really care about that topic.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, you go to support the others in your community, the other professionals.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_00: You can do like BNI type meetups or young professional groups.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of the Chamber of Commerce have the young professional groups too that are like less intense.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: Because the thing is, everyone's in your shoes.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_00: Like, not everyone grew up to be this great networking person, and we certainly didn't learn it in college.
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_00: So everyone's a little awkward, anyways.
• 4:47
  SPEAKER_00: And so just find another awkward person and make conversation.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you can also meet people through like social media, obviously, which if that's easier for you to reach out via like a message, perfect.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_00: In fact, that just happened to me recently, and I said, Hey, we're actually really close, so why don't we actually just meet up instead of doing like a phone call?
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_00: Because I do think that in-person meetups are more beneficial, if you will.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_00: And so whenever I can, I prefer to meet in person with people.
• 5:17
  SPEAKER_00: It just is a better connection.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: And then, you know, sometimes networking happens at little places like you're at a coffee shop and you're chatting with people online, or oh, what did you get?
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, I got this or that.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I'm just here to work on my podcast.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, what do you do?
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_00: Like networking can just be spontaneous at like a coffee shop, or maybe your kids' sports games, and you realize that a parent owns a business that you would love to like learn about because maybe it'd be a great referral source.
• 5:47
  SPEAKER_00: So something might I might say that would be easy, right?
• 5:52
  SPEAKER_00: Would be like, hi, I'm Hilary.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: I'm new to the area and I'm trying to meet other professionals.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: I saw that you own blank business, and I would love to grab coffee sometime and learn about more of what you do.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_00: So, like you could send that in a message if that's easier for you on like social media or an email, something like that.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: You could do something really cute, like I'm just getting started in let's say chiropractic, and I admire your work.
• 6:20
  SPEAKER_00: Would you be open to a quick coffee chat sometime?
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_00: So try to ask for like small increments of time, because as we all know, when we get busier, like if someone wants an hour or two of my time, that's a lot.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_00: Like, honestly, I am worth a lot per hour and I could be making money.
• 6:39
  SPEAKER_00: So keep it like short and simple.
• 6:42
  SPEAKER_00: And then once you're there, like, okay, envision us at the coffee shop now, right?
• 6:47
  SPEAKER_00: You get there, you probably get there early because you want to look like you're on time and professional.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you get in line, get your coffee, get a table, set down.
• 6:54
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of times I will like text them or message them and let them know I'm there.
• 6:58
  SPEAKER_00: Because what if they've never seen me and I want to let them know, like, I'm the one in the blue shirt or something like that.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_00: Um, because wouldn't you love if someone did that for you?
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_00: So I always try to put my best foot forward, get there early and on time.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes I'll be really nice and ask them ahead of time, well, what coffee can I get you?
• 7:16
  SPEAKER_00: And I'll have that ready for them.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't really matter.
• 7:19
  SPEAKER_00: But when you're there, it's not gonna be like you are um doing a job interview or like a sales pitch, right?
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_00: Like relax and just try to connect as a human, you know.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_00: Tell me how you got started as a massage therapist or chiropractor or whatever, and what do you love about it?
• 7:37
  SPEAKER_00: Or what's your favorite type of patient that you work on?
• 7:40
  SPEAKER_00: Um, little things like that.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_00: Just like really connect.
• 7:43
  SPEAKER_00: What do you do when you're not working?
• 7:45
  SPEAKER_00: Um, what's your favorite way to connect in the community?
• 7:49
  SPEAKER_00: Because then you can get other ideas of like events or networking groups that they go to, especially if this is someone you like or in your industry or within like your zone in your community.
• 8:01
  SPEAKER_00: But really watch out for like asking for a job or a referral or a favor, like you're just meeting them.
• 8:09
  SPEAKER_00: Um, take it, take it slow and easy.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_00: It's almost like dating, right?
• 8:13
  SPEAKER_00: Like, don't jump into bed, just take it slow.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: Don't, you know, dominate the conversation just about you.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_00: Make sure you're breaking it up and then asking them questions.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: And I've been in conversations before where I do feel like I'm talking a lot because I don't mind talking.
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_00: And I have to really stop.
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_00: And even if they ask me questions, they're like, Well, before I answer that, why don't you tell me about da-da-da-da-da?
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_00: Let me tell you, you know, I want to hear about you because I don't want them to leave that and be like, wow, she talked about herself the old time the whole time, right?
• 8:46
  SPEAKER_00: Make sure that you, if need to, interrupt them a little bit and ask them about them.
• 8:51
  SPEAKER_00: They ask you one question, immediately answer and then follow up with, well, how about you?
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_00: What do you love about your field?
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_00: Something like that.
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_00: You know, be curious and really connect with them, and but also respectful of their time, in my opinion, and probably because time is such a commodity for me.
• 9:10
  SPEAKER_00: I really want to respect people's time.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_00: I want to be on time or early for it.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm like, I know that we said 45 minutes, it's closing, it's closing into 45 minutes.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_00: Um, is there anything else that you want to ask me?
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_00: Or if I had like one last question, and then they might say, Oh, well, I actually don't have to get going if you're able to stay.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_00: Great.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_00: Then we might stay a little bit longer, but I'm always respectful of that.
• 9:35
  SPEAKER_00: And then um, I always follow up within a certain number of days, max a week, with like a message is great to meet you, or like a thank you for meeting me, um, or text or an email, something like that.
• 9:51
  SPEAKER_00: But like always, you know, thank you or following up.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: Like it was great to hear about how you started XYZ business.
• 9:59
  SPEAKER_00: Like, show them too that like you were paying attention, or let's say that they asked you something like, honestly, do you know of anyone that uh fixes roofs for houses or something like you know?
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_00: I would I always try to help connect people.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_00: I'm like, I actually do know a handyman.
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_00: And then so I went immediately follow up and give that referral out because you want to um be top of mind and like I say, like leave a good lasting impression on them.
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and so I love coffee meetings because they can be short, simple to the point everyone knows why you're there.
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I try not to ask too much about things, I don't want to say unimportant things, but things like, oh, how many kids do you have?
• 10:43
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, what are they doing this summer or this break or whatever?
• 10:47
  SPEAKER_00: Because I really want to find out about their business.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_00: And so work a little bit of like personal stuff, but really I personally try to keep it um more business.
• 10:57
  SPEAKER_00: And then as we get to know them, then then I'll get to know about their family and their kids.
• 11:02
  SPEAKER_00: And oh, congratulations, I heard you had a new baby, like, you know, because you probably follow them on social media or you checked out their website ahead of time, things like that.
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_00: Um, something I might leave at the end of our conversation would be like, you know, I would love to support you in your business.
• 11:18
  SPEAKER_00: Do you have any events or promotions coming up that I can share on social media for me for you?
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_00: Or like if I wasn't already connected with them on social media, I would then connect.
• 11:29
  SPEAKER_00: But like I said, I try to do that prior to my meetings because I want to say, like, hey, I saw on Instagram that you did XYZ recently.
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_00: That's really cool.
• 11:40
  SPEAKER_00: Or I saw that you just celebrated your one-year anniversary.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_00: Congratulations.
• 11:45
  SPEAKER_00: And honestly, sometimes I'll like bring a card with me or something little, like a little plant, especially if it's like an anniversary or something big for their business.
• 11:55
  SPEAKER_00: You know, just a little thing.
• 11:57
  SPEAKER_00: Um, if I'm meeting a female, I always find that it's easier too for little gifts because like that's like a love language for me is to like give little gifts and stuff like that.
• 12:06
  SPEAKER_00: And so honestly, I do that more with women than men, to be honest.
• 12:12
  SPEAKER_00: I don't know why, but I do.
• 12:14
  SPEAKER_00: Um, which reminds me because my next meetup, I'm gonna bring something, even though I'm gonna be meeting with a male physical therapist.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_00: And I bet he will love a little plant that I bring him.
• 12:25
  SPEAKER_00: So little things like that, keep them top of mind.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: It's like something that I enjoy doing.
• 12:30
  SPEAKER_00: It's you know, um, and so it could be something you're known for too, like just something little that you give out, or and or like for instance, um, someone dropped off some cute little like swag bags.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_00: Um, she's a realtor friend, and I loved it.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_00: And she also brought us like cookies and stuff like that, but like even the cute little bags, she's like, Hey, these are great for lunch bags.
• 12:57
  SPEAKER_00: And I was like, Oh, that's so awesome, because it had her logo and branding on it too, and it was just a quick drop-off this and that.
• 13:05
  SPEAKER_00: And so, you know, you could bring something cute from your business too on these meetups, and just like, hey, this is a cute coffee cup that we give out.
• 13:13
  SPEAKER_00: I thought you might like one, you know, it could be just something a little like that, but stay in touch with them after you meet them.
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_00: This is why um I always coach my clients to set up like a spreadsheet and really keep track of it because if you're like me, you forget about stuff with everything going on and no matter how many businesses you have.
• 13:33
  SPEAKER_00: And so you can send like quarterly um notes or like cards for milestones or comment on their social media posts, things like that, but reconnect every like so many quarters um or go to their events that way.
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_00: So I think it is okay to feel nervous about going to these like networking type things and doing a one-on-one, if you will, with someone because we all have started there or we all are starting there.
• 14:04
  SPEAKER_00: And so just try to connect, right?
• 14:07
  SPEAKER_00: Be yourself, be curious about their business and try to be genuine about like building networking over time with them, you know.
• 14:16
  SPEAKER_00: Again, trying not to ask them, hey, can you refer me 10 patients this month or whatever it is, you know?
• 14:22
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but if I could challenge you, I would challenge you to reach out to two to three people this week and see if you can set up like a coffee meeting with them or an introductory call.
• 14:32
  SPEAKER_00: Like maybe it's a business that you've seen on social media and you're like, wow, they do such a great job.
• 14:37
  SPEAKER_00: Send them a message.
• 14:38
  SPEAKER_00: I love it when I check my messages on Instagram and someone's like, hey, I love the work that you're doing.
• 14:44
  SPEAKER_00: I would love to catch up sometime.
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_00: Currently, I've got one message sitting in mind that I got to meet with someone, and then I got an email the other day, um, a random business too.
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_00: And so I'm gonna reach out to them and set up something because we're all in it for this.
• 14:59
  SPEAKER_00: We're all in the community, we're all trying to connect.
• 15:01
  SPEAKER_00: That's what we do as humans.
• 15:03
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so I challenge you to reach out to two to three people, and maybe all those two to three people aren't gonna be able to set up a meeting with you, but you keep doing it, you keep showing up, right?
• 15:16
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you never know who you're gonna meet and whose business you're gonna help impact, and vice versa.
• 15:24
  SPEAKER_00: I hope that this podcast gives you a few little like inklings or maybe maybe makes you feel a little bit better about like starting to build your community next connections if you haven't, you know, already.
• 15:36
  SPEAKER_00: We all start somewhere, and even though I've been doing it, like I said, for like 18 years or more, it comes naturally to me now.
• 15:46
  SPEAKER_00: But you know, if I can remember 18 years ago when I was in my 20s and thinking uh life was great, I was it was nerve-wracking, right?
• 15:55
  SPEAKER_00: To just start out and start meeting people, and um, especially if they were older than me, I thought, oh my gosh, they're never gonna want to meet with me.
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_00: But um you never the age, don't let the age thing bother you or how many years someone's been in business.
• 16:10
  SPEAKER_00: Because um, if they're a good person like you, then they will want to reach out also.
• 16:15
  SPEAKER_00: And even if they don't have a lot of time, they might suggest, well, I can't do a coffee meeting, but can we do a 15-minute phone call, right?
• 16:23
  SPEAKER_00: Or if they can't leave their office, then you know you could offer to bring coffee there to them.
• 16:29
  SPEAKER_00: There's a lot of different things.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_00: So please reach out to me if you have any questions.
• 16:33
  SPEAKER_00: I'm on Instagram, Hillary Hushower Jones.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_00: Send me a message.
• 16:38
  SPEAKER_00: Talk soon.
• 16:39
  SPEAKER_00: Remember, do your challenge.
• 16:41
  SPEAKER_00: Two to three.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_00: Two to three to reach out to.
• 16:44
  SPEAKER_00: Have a great day.