Latest / The Boujee Multipreneur / Networking That Actually Works: How to Maximize Events Like the Chamber of Commerce
Transcript
- 0:16SPEAKER_00: Hey bougie multipreneurs.
- 0:18SPEAKER_00: It's Dr.
- 0:19SPEAKER_00: Hillary here, your business bougie bestie, if you will, bringing you another episode of the Bougie Multipreneur, where we talk about all things in like branding, balancing business and life, and doing all the little things with sparkle and a lot of strategy.
- 0:36SPEAKER_00: Today I want to talk about something very important to grow your business, networking at events.
- 0:41SPEAKER_00: If you know me, you know I'm a big networker.
- 0:43SPEAKER_00: Everyone in the community knows it.
- 0:46SPEAKER_00: Um, and I want to talk about little tips too, because this is what I coach a lot of my business clients on.
- 0:52SPEAKER_00: So, like when we're at events, not just small awkward talk and just collecting business cards and never looking at them or doing anything with them, right?
- 1:01SPEAKER_00: We need intentional, uh effective marketing that will open us doors, building relationships, hopefully new clients and stuff, and growing your specific brand.
- 1:12SPEAKER_00: So today I want to talk about something more specific like your chamber of commerce.
- 1:18SPEAKER_00: Now, you can, if you don't have that in your area, obviously whatever type of networking place, but I've gotten a lot of questions in the past few months from my clients about marketing and going to chamber events and what is it really?
- 1:33SPEAKER_00: Do we need to do it?
- 1:35SPEAKER_00: So, first of all, do we need to do it?
- 1:38SPEAKER_00: Yes, I think that in-person networking still matters.
- 1:43SPEAKER_00: We can't just rely on social media platforms.
- 1:46SPEAKER_00: So, in the world of everything online, the DMs and the Zooms, I think it's still worth it to show up in person because people do business with people that they know, they like, and they trust.
- 2:01SPEAKER_00: So the reason that we're always on social media and building a brand and being on videos, right, is to get people to know us, like us, and trust us.
- 2:11SPEAKER_00: But you can build that faster in person at a meeting when you're talking with someone.
- 2:16SPEAKER_00: Face-to-face talking, if you will.
- 2:18SPEAKER_00: Um, being at like a local networking group, such as your local chamber of commerce, like it puts you on the map.
- 2:27SPEAKER_00: People remember you.
- 2:28SPEAKER_00: And I find this that happens to me quite often.
- 2:32SPEAKER_00: I was just at a networking event and it had been months since I've been.
- 2:36SPEAKER_00: And people remembered and they I see you on social media.
- 2:40SPEAKER_00: It connects a lot of the dots, and they say, I've heard great things about you, and I never met you.
- 2:45SPEAKER_00: So year after year, I mean, I've literally been involved in my chamber for 17 years.
- 2:50SPEAKER_00: Now I'm not always the most involved, but I am involved, or I send um someone else on my team to go.
- 2:57SPEAKER_00: So maybe it's not always the head CEO that goes, but someone goes.
- 3:03SPEAKER_00: So in my other business, besides being an awesome business coach, I'm also a chiropractor.
- 3:09SPEAKER_00: So I promote a lot of like chiropractic things at my chamber.
- 3:14SPEAKER_00: I belong to one chamber for my chiropractic offices, and then another chamber I belong to for my other business, which is an event center in a different city.
- 3:24SPEAKER_00: So I go there to promote my uh luxury garage events, and then I go to a different one to promote chiropractic.
- 3:31SPEAKER_00: So going to different things, bringing all your business cards, quote, being on the map.
- 3:37SPEAKER_00: We want people to think of you.
- 3:40SPEAKER_00: And if they're looking for a chiropractor, let's say, and I'm going to all the events and I'm on social media and they might have met me, it just is an easier quote, sell, if you will, on the sales and marketing ladder because they've met you in person, or if they're talking to a friend, they, oh, I just met a chiropractor recently.
- 4:00SPEAKER_00: So even if you're at an event and the per the people you're talking to can't use your services right then and there, it puts you on the map.
- 4:09SPEAKER_00: They remember you and you know make a good first impression too, right?
- 4:13SPEAKER_00: But when you're going to like in-person networking, it's not just making a sale that day.
- 4:19SPEAKER_00: So if you're going to events expecting to get something directly out of it that day, you might not.
- 4:26SPEAKER_00: So go with an open mind that you're building community and you're building referral partnerships.
- 4:33SPEAKER_00: It's how I always say it's like the first rung in a ladder of sales and marketing.
- 4:39SPEAKER_00: It's step by step, kind of like dating, right?
- 4:41SPEAKER_00: You can't just jump right in.
- 4:43SPEAKER_00: You have to make the calls, you have to go have the coffee, you have to keep chatting about things.
- 4:48SPEAKER_00: So I've grown multiple businesses by just consistently showing up in my community.
- 4:54SPEAKER_00: And it wasn't always something big and fancy.
- 4:57SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it was just a quick coffee or going to ribbon cuttings and staying for 15 minutes, but always like the extra stuff after that.
- 5:05SPEAKER_00: But it works.
- 5:06SPEAKER_00: I'm telling you, every time now that I go to an event, people know me, have heard of me, have heard of someone, they met someone else from my business.
- 5:15SPEAKER_00: So it does work, let me tell you.
- 5:17SPEAKER_00: It's just not a quick turnaround.
- 5:20SPEAKER_00: The ROI is just takes longer, if you will.
- 5:24SPEAKER_00: But I think it's worth it.
- 5:26SPEAKER_00: So, what should you do when you go to a chamber event?
- 5:31SPEAKER_00: You need to like work the room, if you will, right?
- 5:34SPEAKER_00: But how do you do it?
- 5:35SPEAKER_00: And what do you do?
- 5:36SPEAKER_00: Some people, um, one of my coaching clients is quite an introvert and was like, I just I don't, I'm kind of nervous about it.
- 5:45SPEAKER_00: And so we talked about things to help with the nervousness before going in.
- 5:50SPEAKER_00: I think we all get nervous at something new, to be honest.
- 5:53SPEAKER_00: I'm an extrovert.
- 5:54SPEAKER_00: And do I like jump and run out of my car and excited to meet every single person in the room?
- 5:59SPEAKER_00: No, I enjoy talking to people.
- 6:01SPEAKER_00: I enjoy people, but you have to get over it a little bit and you just have to put yourself out and you have to walk up to someone and introduce yourself.
- 6:10SPEAKER_00: Um, you can't just like you know, sit under a desk or sit and stand in the corner and wait for people to come to you.
- 6:17SPEAKER_00: But make a goal when you go to like an event like a chamber of commerce.
- 6:22SPEAKER_00: Like, for instance, my goal is to meet three new people at this event and have a follow-up coffee scheduled within the next week or so.
- 6:33SPEAKER_00: So I will work the room and I also try not to get stuck with someone, if you will.
- 6:39SPEAKER_00: If you have ever been in a networking situation and you felt stuck, this was asked.
- 6:45SPEAKER_00: They they said one of my clients said, Well, what do I do if I just I'm not interested in this person and I don't think it's gonna help the business?
- 6:51SPEAKER_00: I can't help their business.
- 6:53SPEAKER_00: I'm like, I just am blunt.
- 6:54SPEAKER_00: I'm like, I have really enjoyed talking with you.
- 6:57SPEAKER_00: There's so many other people in the room that I want to meet.
- 7:00SPEAKER_00: Who are you looking for?
- 7:02SPEAKER_00: Who best could I send your way if I'm chatting with them in the next five or 10 minutes and I'll send them over to you?
- 7:09SPEAKER_00: So I think it's good just to be a little bit blunt, if you will, and tell people what you're looking for.
- 7:17SPEAKER_00: Keep moving.
- 7:18SPEAKER_00: Everyone's there for a reason.
- 7:20SPEAKER_00: You don't need to stand there for an hour talking to the same person.
- 7:23SPEAKER_00: And if you're like very sweet and polite and are afraid to say anything, then you're gonna get stuck a little bit.
- 7:30SPEAKER_00: So you have to be a little bit bold, tell people what you're looking for, interrupt them a little bit if they're going on about I don't know, their kids' soccer games and stuff like that.
- 7:39SPEAKER_00: And you're at a networking event, like I understand, you know, I need to meet a few other people that I'm looking forward to meeting.
- 7:47SPEAKER_00: Who can I best send your way that you want to meet today?
- 7:51SPEAKER_00: Because apparently, you know, if you think about it, it's probably just not the right fit for both of you.
- 7:55SPEAKER_00: So have a goal.
- 7:56SPEAKER_00: That way you know you need to keep work in the room, right?
- 8:00SPEAKER_00: Um, arrive early.
- 8:02SPEAKER_00: I'm an early person, so if you're not, I get it.
- 8:04SPEAKER_00: But I'm like, if you're on time, you're late type of thing.
- 8:08SPEAKER_00: But I like to arrive early because it's easier to mingle with people when it's not like a full packed room.
- 8:15SPEAKER_00: So when it's full and packed, you're jumping into conversations and in circles that have already started.
- 8:20SPEAKER_00: Whereas if you are on time or slightly early, let's say five minutes early, you can start making the connections without having to jump into a circle and everyone stops talking to look at you, that type of thing.
- 8:32SPEAKER_00: So it's it's a little trick, if you will, to just arrive a little bit earlier, even though I know you're nervous.
- 8:38SPEAKER_00: We all are.
- 8:39SPEAKER_00: But maybe bring a conversation starter.
- 8:43SPEAKER_00: So, for instance, like if you have some cute little like branding swag or giveaway, you could have that and be like, hey, I just got these.
- 8:52SPEAKER_00: What do you think of these?
- 8:53SPEAKER_00: Or give, you know, do something cute like that.
- 8:57SPEAKER_00: Um, you could have you ever been to one of these things before, right?
- 9:02SPEAKER_00: Like that's an easy line.
- 9:03SPEAKER_00: Have you ever been to one of these chamber events before?
- 9:06SPEAKER_00: I literally used that line uh a couple weeks ago, going to a luncheon for a chamber that I hadn't been to for a while.
- 9:12SPEAKER_00: And I sat at a table with all women, and I think only one of them had been.
- 9:19SPEAKER_00: So it was really great.
- 9:20SPEAKER_00: Where I was like, Yes, I've been, but it's been quite a while, and the other ones hadn't.
- 9:24SPEAKER_00: And so, you know, great.
- 9:25SPEAKER_00: And then you start talking about, well, what business are you with, even though they're on our stickers, on our shirt.
- 9:31SPEAKER_00: And tell me about your business.
- 9:33SPEAKER_00: What kind of um referrals are you looking for?
- 9:36SPEAKER_00: That type of thing.
- 9:37SPEAKER_00: I always try to ask them what they do, kind of who they serve, and like what lights them up with their business, what do they like about it?
- 9:46SPEAKER_00: Because honestly, everyone likes to talk about themselves.
- 9:50SPEAKER_00: So start by asking them a lot of questions.
- 9:54SPEAKER_00: I do try to focus on business and not personal stuff.
- 9:59SPEAKER_00: Like, oh, how many kids do you have?
- 10:01SPEAKER_00: What are they doing for the summer?
- 10:03SPEAKER_00: What's that?
- 10:03SPEAKER_00: What are you doing for the holiday?
- 10:04SPEAKER_00: That type of thing.
- 10:06SPEAKER_00: Because even though that is nice chit chat, I feel like it kind of takes away a little bit from the networking.
- 10:13SPEAKER_00: But honestly, a little bit here and there is great.
- 10:16SPEAKER_00: I always try to compliment people on something they're wearing because um, as a female, I put a lot of effort into what I'm wearing.
- 10:24SPEAKER_00: So I do try to like give a compliment, ask them about different things.
- 10:28SPEAKER_00: Um, but don't sell yourself to them.
- 10:33SPEAKER_00: Don't, oh, I need a new, do you want to be a patient of mine?
- 10:36SPEAKER_00: Uh, do you want to buy this thing for me?
- 10:38SPEAKER_00: Like, whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down.
- 10:40SPEAKER_00: We just met.
- 10:41SPEAKER_00: Um, I just want to connect or plant the seeds, if you will.
- 10:45SPEAKER_00: I don't typically try to close any deals on the spot.
- 10:49SPEAKER_00: So, in my opinion, don't go into a networking or chamber commerce type of event where you are expecting to sell or quote sign someone up.
- 11:00SPEAKER_00: So keep that in mind.
- 11:04SPEAKER_00: Always making sure that you are confident when you're in the room and you're engaging and you're smiling, you're showing um energy, right?
- 11:13SPEAKER_00: Because that's contagious.
- 11:14SPEAKER_00: All of that making the eye contact.
- 11:17SPEAKER_00: And don't be afraid to be a little bit extra, you know.
- 11:21SPEAKER_00: Um, I see sometimes some certain women at the Chamber of Commerce events, like they dress like quite flashy in colors and stuff.
- 11:31SPEAKER_00: And I think that is actually smart because I remember them.
- 11:35SPEAKER_00: And like, you're the one that wore that beautiful red blazer last time, that type of thing.
- 11:41SPEAKER_00: So I think sometimes people do that as like a strategic marketing ploy.
- 11:46SPEAKER_00: And I I love it.
- 11:47SPEAKER_00: I love that I'm there for that.
- 11:49SPEAKER_00: You know, be a little bit extra, wear something a little bit different.
- 11:52SPEAKER_00: Don't just come in all black and you're not recognizable or nothing stands out about you.
- 11:57SPEAKER_00: It's okay to be standout-ish, right?
- 12:00SPEAKER_00: After all, I'm the bougie maltepreneur.
- 12:02SPEAKER_00: I do stand out.
- 12:03SPEAKER_00: People remember me.
- 12:06SPEAKER_00: So, one of the biggest things that I like to do uh after meeting someone, and preferably before I leave, or if not in the car, the cards that I collect, I like to write down something about them.
- 12:18SPEAKER_00: So I literally might write like beautiful red blazer, has two kids, just started at the job, has other networking events, things like that, because then I'm gonna follow up with them and use that information.
- 12:32SPEAKER_00: So I do try to write it on their business card that they give me or in my notes app on my phone.
- 12:39SPEAKER_00: Sometimes I do it while I'm sitting there, like at the luncheon I had, there was a speaker, and while I was listening to the speaker, I was also taking notes on my phone about the women that I had met at the table.
- 12:50SPEAKER_00: So then when I follow up with them in an email later um or like a message on Instagram, I can be like, hey, it was so great chatting with you at the chamber event.
- 13:01SPEAKER_00: Uh, we talked about XYZ, would love to connect more, grab coffee, or maybe I want to invite them to an event that I'm having that I'm hosting.
- 13:10SPEAKER_00: So you can that's like a an easy hello, if you will.
- 13:14SPEAKER_00: It's not a lot of work or effort.
- 13:17SPEAKER_00: They can respond to you, they can say that yes, they want to come to an event of yours or not, or they'll see you at another chamber.
- 13:24SPEAKER_00: It might also be great to ask them what's the next event you're going to.
- 13:29SPEAKER_00: So if you are new to networking and going to events, you have to kind of get in like the know of what ones are going on.
- 13:38SPEAKER_00: So just ask people.
- 13:39SPEAKER_00: Hey, I'm new to networking.
- 13:41SPEAKER_00: This is my first time at a chamber of commerce event.
- 13:44SPEAKER_00: What other networking things do you go to?
- 13:46SPEAKER_00: People love to help and they love when you ask their opinions, right?
- 13:50SPEAKER_00: So ask their opinions.
- 13:51SPEAKER_00: Like, what one do you think is better?
- 13:52SPEAKER_00: What what what do you find works better?
- 13:54SPEAKER_00: Things like that.
- 13:55SPEAKER_00: They love it.
- 13:57SPEAKER_00: After the event, make sure you're following them on their socials, follow their business on social media.
- 14:02SPEAKER_00: I think that's really important.
- 14:03SPEAKER_00: And engage in their posts right away because then they're gonna remember you.
- 14:08SPEAKER_00: Oh, I just met her at the chamber today, right?
- 14:11SPEAKER_00: Don't wait weeks later.
- 14:13SPEAKER_00: They're not, they may not remember you.
- 14:14SPEAKER_00: You may not remember them.
- 14:16SPEAKER_00: Um, and then I keep a spreadsheet about all of the contacts I made.
- 14:22SPEAKER_00: Um, I call it my uh network of 70.
- 14:25SPEAKER_00: I try to keep 70 different people and businesses on the list.
- 14:29SPEAKER_00: And on my spreadsheet, I make a note when and where I met them, all of their information, address, phone number, socials.
- 14:37SPEAKER_00: That way it's easier for me to come back, copy and paste, right?
- 14:41SPEAKER_00: If I don't send them an email, sometimes I send them a card in the mail because I think that's like a dying art, if you will, of like sending real mail and just not just an email.
- 14:52SPEAKER_00: And then I will make a column of what I did.
- 14:55SPEAKER_00: Did I send them an email on what date?
- 14:57SPEAKER_00: Because in a month or two, I might send them a card.
- 15:00SPEAKER_00: And a month or two after that, I might send them a message on Instagram.
- 15:03SPEAKER_00: I try to mix it up and then figure out what works best for them, especially if it's someone you really want to get in business with per se, or you really want to do maybe like an event or a workshop with, then find out which way they respond best by trying it different ways.
- 15:20SPEAKER_00: You know, invite them to your events, even if they can't come.
- 15:24SPEAKER_00: Just keep offering it.
- 15:25SPEAKER_00: Um, invite them out for coffee or tea or whatever it is if you want to do that.
- 15:30SPEAKER_00: And um, just keep showing up for them.
- 15:33SPEAKER_00: Comment on their social medias.
- 15:35SPEAKER_00: I mean, there's a way that you can go on Instagram and you can make it so that you always see that business's posts.
- 15:43SPEAKER_00: I forget the name of it off the top of my head, but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
- 15:46SPEAKER_00: But make sure you're regularly following them, especially if it's someone that you want to meet.
- 15:50SPEAKER_00: So let's say you are a chiropractor like myself and you want to meet um midwives or physical therapists or massage therapists.
- 16:01SPEAKER_00: Well, when you're finding them at your events, make sure you're following up with them often, right?
- 16:07SPEAKER_00: Comment on their social media often, especially if it's their own business, because we all know how hard it is to do the social media all the time, all the videos, all the posts, all the pictures, you know.
- 16:19SPEAKER_00: So um I think that everyone's pretty proud of what they put out there.
- 16:23SPEAKER_00: So uh I would make some cute, good comments on that.
- 16:26SPEAKER_00: And sometimes I don't even know what to say because I comment on so many businesses, but love this, that's so cute.
- 16:32SPEAKER_00: You guys are the best.
- 16:33SPEAKER_00: That's awesome.
- 16:34SPEAKER_00: Smiley emoji, you know, things like that.
- 16:37SPEAKER_00: Um just try to make comments and not just heart and like things.
- 16:42SPEAKER_00: So again, I feel like networking is the long game, it's the long haul, but it really builds people up in businesses.
- 16:51SPEAKER_00: So if you're new in business, I would this is what I did too, but I networked all the time.
- 16:57SPEAKER_00: And granted, people are like, oh, it's easier because you're such an extrovert.
- 17:01SPEAKER_00: Yeah, maybe, but it's still time put in, you know?
- 17:05SPEAKER_00: And if you just don't have the time and you're an introvert, then hire someone to do it for you.
- 17:10SPEAKER_00: But point is you still need to show up in your community, you need to network, be in front of people.
- 17:16SPEAKER_00: Um, that's where all the magic happens.
- 17:18SPEAKER_00: That's where transactions are made.
- 17:21SPEAKER_00: So get out there.
- 17:23SPEAKER_00: Um, but let's say um you are a chiropractor again.
- 17:28SPEAKER_00: What can we do for your business?
- 17:30SPEAKER_00: You know, like I was saying, like you want to partner with, let's say, some local gyms or yoga studios.
- 17:36SPEAKER_00: What kind of wellness events are they networking at?
- 17:40SPEAKER_00: So when you're at events, you could ask them, you know, I love doing networking events and I really like want to be a vendor at an event.
- 17:47SPEAKER_00: Do you do that?
- 17:48SPEAKER_00: Where do you go?
- 17:49SPEAKER_00: Get some ideas from people.
- 17:51SPEAKER_00: That's something you could put also in your email to them.
- 17:54SPEAKER_00: Like, hey, where are you going next?
- 17:56SPEAKER_00: Do you ever are you ever a vendor at anything?
- 17:58SPEAKER_00: Let me know if you have anything coming up in the next couple months.
- 18:02SPEAKER_00: Um, let's say you're a business coach like myself also, but you know, go to things where the businesses are that is your ideal and target client.
- 18:12SPEAKER_00: As far as like my event space, I like I was telling you guys, I went to a different chamber of commerce and I just talked about it in front of the small businesses because I want to rent it out for small business meetings and parties and et cetera, like that.
- 18:30SPEAKER_00: So those are my ideal and target clients right there at the Chamber of Commerce events.
- 18:36SPEAKER_00: Um, and if you are like you have a product-based business, you know, look for local like makers, um, markets, things like that, pop-ups and things where you can collab with.
- 18:47SPEAKER_00: Because even as a chiropractor, I collab a lot with like boutiques and different uh product businesses because I have events where I have vendor tables and I like to bring them to it because we all just need to work work together, if you will.
- 19:03SPEAKER_00: Remember that at your chamber of commerce, there are like specific networking groups for women in there too, or like 40 and under.
- 19:14SPEAKER_00: There could even be like an industry-specific event that you could go to.
- 19:18SPEAKER_00: There, they have fundraisers, like the golf outings, and they have the galas, they have volunteer committees, different things like that.
- 19:26SPEAKER_00: So just jump in and get started with something.
- 19:29SPEAKER_00: Uh, make sure you're bringing, you know, your confidence and your professionalism, bring the good energy and the smiles, um, and then you'll stand out, right?
- 19:40SPEAKER_00: Because all of that is infectious and contagious, if you will.
- 19:45SPEAKER_00: All the energy and excitement that you bring in there.
- 19:48SPEAKER_00: And um, people will remember you.
- 19:51SPEAKER_00: So remember that as we're wrapping up, that networking isn't always about being like the loudest or passing out the most cards or talking the most, right?
- 20:01SPEAKER_00: You need to make some genuine connections.
- 20:04SPEAKER_00: That's why I try to really work the room, have your three people that you want to meet up with, and don't get stuck talking to someone, let's say about roofs or something that's just not for you.
- 20:16SPEAKER_00: Um, ask them who you who they need as like a referral source, and then politely excuse yourself to continue talking to other people.
- 20:26SPEAKER_00: Um, I would still follow up with them.
- 20:27SPEAKER_00: It's great to meet you.
- 20:28SPEAKER_00: I will keep you in mind for any roofing needs, etc.
- 20:31SPEAKER_00: You know.
- 20:33SPEAKER_00: Um, so your challenge today, if you accept, is to pick an event this month, um, like a chamber mixer or like a networking lunch, a coffee meetup, something.
- 20:45SPEAKER_00: Put it on your calendar and show up for it, like the boss you are.
- 20:50SPEAKER_00: So if you want uh more ideas on how to do the networking and business growing with intention to build and scale, um hit me up.
- 21:00SPEAKER_00: I'm on Instagram, Hillary Heshower Jones.
- 21:03SPEAKER_00: I'm also on Facebook, HHJ Consulting.
- 21:07SPEAKER_00: My website actually is hhjconsulting.com.
- 21:11SPEAKER_00: Uh, but would love to hear, uh, would love to help too.
- 21:14SPEAKER_00: I do offer free consultations just to see for the right fit for business um coaching because I do work with a lot of small businesses that are like service based professionals.
- 21:25SPEAKER_00: And even though I'm a chiropractor, I don't work with just chiropractors.
- 21:29SPEAKER_00: So have lots of great ideas for people and love that you guys listened.
- 21:34SPEAKER_00: Have a great day.
- 21:35SPEAKER_00: Be a money magnet.