The cards weren’t mine.

I was so excited to have met so many prospects and potential customers in one place in just a couple hours. I was diligent to transfer the data from the cards into my contact manager so I could follow up and drum up some business.

I followed up.

Then again.

And again.

I was doing what the gurus told me, “the fortune is in the follow up.”

Yet, I didn’t get any business from this event.

Was I at the wrong event? Was I just wearing the wrong suit or said the wrong things? Maybe it was just a fluke – next week would be different.

What happened?

You are certainly familiar with the myriad options for business networking. Events with LeTip, BNI, Associations, Trade Shows, and the local Chamber of Commerce are just a few examples.

What made my lunch unsuccessful was not the venue, the presentation, or the topic.

What made my lunch unsuccessful was me.

I took another session to sell my services to people who already know of them, are tired of hearing about them, don’t need them, or already have solutions.

This gets old very fast.

Just think of a time when ‘that guy’ stood up like I did with why you need to use his special shoe shine kit. He even included an incentive to ‘buy today and save!’ How did you feel about this?

Is this guy doing a service to anyone? His company, his peers, his product, or his pocketbook?

No!

Are you doing a service to anyone with your 75th pitch?

Driving 100mph in a parking lot

We are creatures of habit. Very busy creatures of habit.

When we want more sales, we make sales calls. We attend networking events to ultimately get more sales so we use the same habits.

People say “Hello, how are you?”

We say “I’m fine but do you have Life Insurance?”

Maybe your not this obvious but some are and the rest of us can’t resist pitching everyone we meet at business events.

Doh!

This is like Dale Earnhardt Jr. driving 100mph all the time. Whether on the oval racetrack, the freeway, in front of schools, and in parking lots.

In his case, not changing his habits in context would take lives. In our case, we pay for it with fewer relationships, lower incomes, and rampant disappointment.

That’s a life I do not want to live.

Just like Mr. Earnhardt, we must adjust not just the style of our driving, but the goal. The NASCAR racetrack enables victory for a single driver. The parade route enables a single driver to serve hundreds – tens of millions in the case of the Rose Parade – using the same vehicle with a different goal.

Get out of the rut

OK. Your results suck and you’re fed up with networking altogether.

Maybe you don’t even know how to measure success.

I understand. I’ve been there.

Word-of-mouth marketing is your best way to consistent and predictable sales – in any economy – so there must be some way to use it without getting stuck in the same ol’ rut.

Good news, here it is.

Using The Link System, I have found great success in getting new customers and sales.

However, this is only part of the equation. I now realize that sales are not the only thing that brings in the money.

Ideas, information, and resources given by seasoned professionals and experts are vital part of my — and others’ — success.

Trust an experienced expert

I experienced this change first hand and now I want to help you do the same. To make this possible, I have been accepted as a Licensed Trainer of The Link System.

I am looking for those who want to transform their lead generation through an actionable and tested plan. Stop throwing darts without knowing where the dartboard is. You will never hit the bulls-eye by accident. Focus on giving to others for success and staying out of the rut.

To your success,

Jon Cline

p.s.
This is the best system for low cost marketing in a challenging economy.

For the next 3 months, I am looking to refine and update my materials in front of qualified audiences – for free. Send your event date via our booking page to apply.