How to Network With Busy People ? Part 6 (Blog)

[Savage]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Steve Pavlina's blog:

How to Network With Busy People ? Part 6

[beautyscientist]

I am enjoying this series. They are beautifully written and full of common sense.

[bluedragon]

I had no idea that this kind of networking even existed. I mean, inviting someone you don't know to lunch - it sounds to good to be true. I'm happy to see that in some parts of the world, people find effective ways to get together and share ideas and stuff. However, I wonder if this kind of thing happens everywhere. Vegas is a big city, and the US is a country with many opportunities. I imagine it is much easier to find people who do certain activities there.

I would have no idea who to invite to lunch to discuss things with him, if I was an entrepreneur. Although I can think of a lot of people who I'd have a lot to learn from and offer some value in return.

[ellie]

I would be interested to know why you think that man was like that, is he just arrogant, or do you in fact think he is threatened by other people and he reteliates to the extreme. The reason I say that is that I know someone who has to deal with a similar type of personality ie, irrational and goes off their head.

I always wonder what really makes someone like that tick. Where did that anger come from and why does one deal with it that way. I know off topic a little but the personality trait fascinates me.

But also on topic. I don't really try hard with networking, my work kind of speaks for itself and I get work from people seeing my website posted on particular forums related to film and design. Just a simple sentence with a link to my site. Get heaps of responses and usually from high end advertising agencies.

But I was thinking how easy this networking thing can be, even for someone like me who is not a networker naturally. For example a number of years ago I put my web link on a film forum with just a few lines. From that I got a guy (lets call him John) emailing wanting to know if I would like to work on a project with him. I could tell from his email that he was a genuine guy, so I met him and we clicked, we worked on a few projects together and from there he suggested me to his buddy who I have been freelancing with for a year. Again a great guy to work with and then I recieve an email from some random person, showing me their work (actress) and if I ever needed talent to get in touch with her. I did not need her services because her area was not really connected to mine, but for some reason I sent it off to the initial contact (John) above. I find out tonight that the girl that emailed me is now too working for the original guy and met her tonight. How funny is that?

Also from that same web link I got a full-time contract for 6 months with a firm. It too was an awesome job and the right mix of people for my personality.

Beats writing up a resume and cover letter that's for sure.

[ericabiz]

Whoa! I've been reading this entire series with interest, and then I saw your description of that guy you went out to lunch with...funny, I had a nearly identical experience with someone in the Internet marketing industry. I mean, my story parallels yours, except that his outburst was in front of the entire audience to me, during a conference where we had both spoken, after I spoke. People later came up and revealed that he is banned from several Internet marketing conferences for bashing other speakers. His behavior was shocking and unexpected. I considered him a friend until that point.

Obviously, I'm not naming names, but either this goes to show that there are some crazy people out there in any industry, or we've met the same guy. (Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same guy.)

Interesting!

-Erica

[Savage]

Originally Posted by ericabiz

Whoa! I've been reading this entire series with interest, and then I saw your description of that guy you went out to lunch with...funny, I had a nearly identical experience with someone in the Internet marketing industry. I mean, my story parallels yours, except that his outburst was in front of the entire audience to me, during a conference where we had both spoken, after I spoke. People later came up and revealed that he is banned from several Internet marketing conferences for bashing other speakers. His behavior was shocking and unexpected. I considered him a friend until that point.

Obviously, I'm not naming names, but either this goes to show that there are some crazy people out there in any industry, or we've met the same guy. (Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same guy.)

Interesting!

-Erica

Could very well be the same guy. I'll drop you an email to see if it is.

[Daffy Duck]

Great stuff, Steve. It's always good to be reminded of these good, common sense tips.

I especially liked that you deal in business with people who you could consider friends:

People who are unhappy, inflexible, immature, or highly judgmental don’t make good friends or contacts for me.

I agree with this. It's harder to work with someone if I can't get along with them on a personal friendship level.

To some, this might sound judgmental itself, but it's not. There's a big difference between judging and simply deciding who you want to spend your time with, based on shared values, feelings, etc.

Enjoying the series. Thanks!

[Savage]

Incidentally we're only about halfway through the series. There's a lot more to come. I've been adding some new pieces to it based on feedback. The next two pieces are already queued up for Tues and Weds.

[xander3]

The lunch guy sounds like it could be JB, now also known as DN. If so, yes, he is definitely one to avoid. Loving the series of articles in any case.