BDPA Brotha Shares 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Ruin Your Networking Efforts

I have been in BDPA since 1988. Some of y'all refer to me as the BDPA Brotha! I have shared tips on 'The Art of Networking' in the past. In fact, I recently shared 15 ideas on improving your networking results.

This time I thought that it would be worthwhile to point out ten things that many of us do to the detriment of our networking efforts. Here are 10 things you should *NOT DO* if you want to make your networking work!

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1. Do not abuse your network. Word of mouth will kill you.
2. Do not abuse your contacts. Always honor their right to privacy.
3. Do not burden your network with your problems, but, be willing to listen to advice when you ask for it.
4. Do not develop a reputation for calling *only* when you need a favor.
5. Do not ever think anything can replace real competence.
6. Do not expect anyone to work harder for you than you are willing to work for yourself.
7. Do not expect your network to find you a job.
8. Do not give a referral without first calling ahead to alert your contact.
9. Do not offer negative feedback callously.
10. Do not talk excessively about yourself. Learn how to get your network to do this for you!

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These are some ideas on how you can maximize your positive results from networking. Have you learned the 'hard way' about any of these ten networking errors in the past? Do you have other suggestions that we may have missed?

I will continue to share these 'BDPA Brotha' tips on a semi-regular basis!

BDPA Brotha Shares 15 Ideas to Improve Your Networking Results

I have been in BDPA since 1988. Some of y'all refer to me as the BDPA Brotha!   I have shared tips on 'The Art of Networking' in the past. I thought that the time was right to be more specific. Here are 15 things you should *DO* if you want to make your networking work!

1. Do ask for what you want. No one is there to take care of you. Anticipate that contacts may say 'No' and don't be offended if they do.
2. Do be business-like ... always!
3. Do circulate at meetings. Learn to introduce yourself to strangers.
4. Do continue to develop your expertise and visibility to enhance your value to the network.
5. Do deliver when you say you will.
6. Do follow good rules of social etiquette.
7. Do follow-up on leads.
8. Do give sensitive and caring feedback to members of your network.
9. Do maintain confidentiality. Protect your sources.
10. Do not abandon former networks as you climb higher.
11. Do not be discouraged.  If given the brush off by one contact in your network, move on!
12. Do offer to pick up the tab!
13. Do refine your 'want list' and only ask for one thing at a time.
14. Do test out the reliability of any information you receive.
15. Do try to give as much as you get from network contacts. Reciprocity is the name of the game. Do not wait to be asked!

These are some ideas on how you can maximize your positive results from networking. Have any of these ideas worked for you in the past? Do you have other ideas that we may have missed?

I will continue to share these 'BDPA Brotha' tips on a semi-regular basis!

BDPA Brotha Shares Two Most Important Things to Remember About Media Publicity

BDPA Brotha

I have been in BDPA since 1988. Some of y'all refer to me as the BDPA Brotha! One of the constant concerns that I hear expressed by most local chapters is that they are the 'best-kept secret' in their community and industry. Perhaps it it time to remember that you don't need to know everything about media publicity to take advantage of opportunities. If you simply keep a few key ideas in mind, you can get your local BDPA chapter (or other non-profit entity) media coverage on a regular basis.

Here are the two most important things to remember about media publicity:

1. Opportunities are EVERYWHERE - How many radio stations, televisions stations, newspapers and magazines do you think there are in existence? In the U.S. alone there are not just thousands, but hundreds of thousands. And each of these media stations and publications need content. They are always waiting for people to drop the next story in their lap. You can be the one to do it! All you have to do is try.
   
   
2. The Media Doesn't Look For You - Even if you are a famous person, the media won't necessarily come looking for you. They wait for someone to tell them about a story idea, and then they come running. If you don't pitch your idea to the media, they won't know who you are and they won't come looking for you. You have to take the first step.
   

I hope that these chapter marketing tips are helpful to you. Feel free to contact me by email if you would like to discuss additional ways to market your nonprofit business.

In the meantime, You I will continue to share these 'BDPA Brotha' tips on a semi-regular basis!

BDPA Brotha on Promoting Your Chapter to Local Media

I have been in BDPA since 1988. Some of y'all refer to me as the BDPA Brotha! One of the constant concerns that I hear expressed by most local chapters is that they are the 'best-kept secret' in their community and industry. Perhaps it it time to remember that there are still ol' school marketing opportunities with your local media.

Media are constantly looking for new stories and information that will interest their audiences. Chances are, your town has at least one major newspaper, several smaller papers, a few TV stations, a bunch of radio stations, and at least one cable company. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Local media like to cover local stories. You have a much better chance of getting free publicity from a reporter in your area than from national media.
2. Local talk radio stations and programs are constantly in need of interesting guests. Watch for times when your area of expertise fits with a breaking story, holiday, or issue the media is covering.
3. Send your local media a press release when you have something new to announce: a new board member appointment, new chapter service, public service program, or alliance with another business.
4. Local chapters often make good feature stories. Work up a sheet of helpful tips related to your chapter. Make sure they are things the media audience will be interested in.
5. Work with local charities and blow your own horn.

I hope that these chapter marketing tips are helpful to you. Feel free to contact me by email or phone (513.284-4968) if you would like to discuss additional ways to market your nonprofit business.

In the meantime, You I will continue to share these 'BDPA Brotha' tips on a semi-regular basis!

Related articles

• BDPA Brotha Shares 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Ruin Your Networking Efforts
• BDPA Brotha Shares 15 Ideas to Improve Your Networking Results

BDPA Brotha' Tips: Growing Your Chapter with Speaking Engagements

I have been in BDPA since 1988. Some of y'all refer to me as the BDPA Brotha! One of the constant concerns that I hear expressed by most local chapters is that they are the 'best-kept secret' in their community and industry.

The more people that know about BDPA ... the more business you can get ... the more that you can grow your chapter. One way to boost your personal and professional image is through public speaking engagements. Be strategic about your process in accepting speaking engagements.

Don't use speaking engagements to make 'hard' commercials about your programs and services. Instead, you should focus on providing your audience with value that they can immediately understand and respect. Customize your presentation to fit the specific audience that you are talking to. Be passionate and knowledgeable about your speaking topic. Your audience will see your value and respond accordingly.

Here are some ways that you can prepare and locate speaking engagements to build your local chapter or business:

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• Alumni - Your involvement in college and university events may open the door to opportunities to speak to small groups. Also consider pointers from other alumni and business professionals who are active public speakers.
• Books - Take a moment to read 'Public Speaking for Dummies' by Malcolm Kushner.
• Friends and Family - Ask them to listen to you practice, but make sure they are brutally honest about your flow, technique and presentation. Have them list three things you did well and three things you can improve upon.
• National Speakers Association - Check out this website to see tips and resources for aspiring speakers. NSA is one of the leading professional associations for speakers with local chapters all over the nation.
• Speakers Bureau or Agent - If you are unable to manage the process yourself, a professional organization or agent can do it for you by booking engagements, negotiating fees and handling travel arrangements for a 'per project' or monthly fee. This may also open up speaking opportunities that you never knew about because you'll be in a database.
• Toastmasters - This nonprofit organization for beginning speakers (with local chapters worldwide) can help familiarize you with public speaking. Many of the speeches are given in front of members, and the organization also provides mentors for those looking to overcome presentation anxieties.

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I hope that these chapter marketing tips are helpful to you. Feel free to contact me by email or phone (513.284-4968) if you would like to discuss additional ways to market your nonprofit business.

In the meantime, I will continue to share these 'BDPA Brotha' tips on a semi-regular basis!

Related articles

• BDPA Brotha Shares 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Ruin Your Networking Efforts
• BDPA Brotha Shares 15 Ideas to Improve Your Networking Results

BDPA Brotha Shares Simple Math Formula to Grow Your Membership

We will share occasional tips from the BDPA Brotha in effort to help local BDPA chapters and other small non-profits as they seek to deliver on their vision and mission. Today's tip is for those of you who need increased membership to grow your chapter.

In science and math, once you figure out the formula needed to achieve your desired result, you have a can't-miss method to getting what you want every time you use it. Wouldn't it be great if everything you wanted in life could be achieved through a simple formula?

Well, there isn't a formula for everything you want, but there is a formula for getting a new member. Once you understand this formula and learn how to initiate it, you can get all the members you want.

Are you ready? Okay, here it is: Trust + Respect + Need = Membership Growth.

Now that's not so hard. At least there's no long division or algebra.

The trust and respect part of the formula mean that you need to develop solid relationships with your potential members. You can instill a sense of trust by showing the buyer that you care more about their end of the deal than your own. People are hesitant to trust those who are solely concerned about themselves. To let the potential member know that you care about their success, let them do the talking while you do the listening. Speak when they need you to speak, but listen to them so they know that you are concerned about their needs.

To build a relationship of respect, follow through on the things you promise. Don't miss appointments, respond in a timely manner, and let them know that you value their membership.

During your time spent building trust and respect, you will discover what their particular need is. Once you know that, do everything in your power to meet that need and you will have a new member.