Tag: networking

Strategies to Build Business Connections

Cherith AndesBlog, Inspirational, Professional Development, , ,

Eighty-five percent of professional success comes from people skills. New customers. New business partners. New jobs — all from relationships.

But how do you forge authentic connections and business relationships in an era when handshakes and hugs aren’t possible?

I had the opportunity to roll out a toolbox of relationship-building strategies for a Tech Tuesday seminar with Shop Local Raleigh (SLR).

These effective, tangible tactics employ skills you may already have but aren’t actively using to make new connections, build trust with your contacts or audience, and move them to action. During this business seminar, I explored:

Social Networking

  • Finding connections
  • Initiating meaningful conversations
  • Effective follow-up
  • (And yes, Zoom)

Video
Did you know that 80 percent of your customers would rather see a live video from you than read a blog? Get camera-ready, friends, with easy strategies to use:

  • Personalized video
  • Live video

Thanks to SLR for this fun opportunity to share our insights and connect with amazing local businesses!

Catch the replay here of SLR’s seminar here! 👇🏼👇🏼

At Clairemont, we can help create a strategy to grow your business, too.

Drop Us a Line
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Networking in the Age of the Internet

Kelli FletcherBlog, Professional Development, Public Relations, ,

Networking is about collecting relationships with interesting or influential people regardless of the immediate benefit. If you have social media, you’re already good at this. After all, you collect friends and followers on all platforms. You post to get their approval through “likes” and “comments.” You use hashtags to make yourself and your content easily searchable, and you seek others to follow who will add something interesting to your feed.

But, ask yourself: when was the last time you met an acquaintance for coffee midday or drinks after work? How long has it been since you slunk into a room of professionals, put your name on a sticker and mingled in search of (cringe face) … small talk? Yeah, it’s been awhile for me, too.

Which begs the question, has our evolved technological communication actually devolved our personal interactions? Because of this, is the age-old art of networking dying in the Internet age?

With numerous articles crediting “Millennial Burnout” (is it even just Millennials?) to our constant connectivity, it’s almost impossible to remember that tuning out and turning off is something that must be done from time to time.

And networking just may be the thing for which to stop scrolling and start shaking hands. While there’s a lot to like about curated feeds and pumped-up LinkedIn profiles, there’s something quite nice about building relationships with actual people, which is the whole point of networking. And today, it’s more than matching a face with a name. Matching a personalized interaction with a face still matters.

So, get up and get out there! Make the most of meeting new people and networking in your city. There’s no doubt that opportunities will come from it – even if it’s just keeping your communication skills honed! As you mingle, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Don’t limit your network.

It doesn’t necessarily matter if someone is inside or outside of your industry, if they are influential, commit to connecting with that person. Often, a third party can offer fresh perspectives and make new introductions.

Go for quality not quantity.

Don’t just shake a bunch of hands and collect cards. Take time to have a real discussion. In the middle of a great conversation with someone? Don’t feel the need to move on so quickly. While you should be aware of their time (and your own), don’t be afraid to become engaged. The goal is to make meaningful – not numerous – connections.

Listen, then show them you heard.  

When first joining a group of people, take a few minutes to listen and then enter the conversation with a comment that adds to the discussion. Nothing will stop a conversation faster than focusing on yourself.

Follow up!

Don’t miss the opportunity to follow up! Send a note to each person with whom you exchanged information and remark on your interaction. Mention something specific to make the connection personal. Follow through on offers made to connect them and/or scheduling lunch. Keep the momentum going.

Want more tips on how to make important business connections? Check out our video post!

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Networking on Social Media

Clairemont InternBlog, Professional Development, Social Media + Influencer Engagement, , , ,

Most of us have swapped business cards at a networking event or connected with our fair share of people on LinkedIn. Both are so common in 2018 that one must look beyond the traditional outlets to forge and maximize professional associations.

Two words: social media.

How can one network on social media? Which begs another question: why should one network on social media? Statista.com gives us 2.46 billion reasons. According to Statista’s research from more than 18,000 sources, there were 2.46 billion social media users across the globe in 2017. And Statista’s projections for the next five years? Add at least another 500 million users to the number. In contrast, LinkedIn has less than 500 million users. With that amount of people available across the web, why wouldn’t you want to network on social media? Here are a few tips to get you started.

Twitter

Engage in Twitter chats: Check out this list of Twitter chats with numerous topics, dates and times. Twitter chats open the door to talk to thousands of people all over the world.
Create tweets that create conversation: Rather than making statements, craft tweets that include questions and prompt replies from your followers. And, no brainer, reply to those tweets you follow as well.
Follow people with whom you want to connect: If you have targeted professionals in mind , follow them on Twitter and engage with their tweets. Be sincere. Forbes shares a story about a woman who used Twitter to connect with the editor of a publication, hoping to get her work published. Her networking paid off as her writing was published and even retweeted by the editor.
#DotheHashtagThing: Whether you’re looking for similar accounts to follow or trends and current events, Twitter hashtags have you covered. Searching even the most basic hashtag will introduce you to new professionals in your industry, like-minded colleagues, potential mentors, media and thousands of related tweets internationally. Consider creating your own hashtag, something as simple as the abbreviation of your company or a tagline for your company. Of course, research your hashtag first.

Instagram

Utilize Instagram Direct Messaging to create a “pod:” Connect with similar accounts through hashtags and the Explore page on Instagram. Create a group message, or what is commonly known as an Instagram “pod,” with these accounts to share content and stay in contact on a regular basis. You can also use these pods to swap ideas, ask advice, questions and invite others to events.
#Utilize #hashtags: Similar to using hashtags for Twitter, utilizing hashtags on Instagram helps you find specific content and accounts on Instagram.

Facebook

Post job-related content: Post and share content on Facebook that will allow your friends to engage and relate. Making this content related to work will draw and maintain a professional presence — a point of reference for contacts.
Use Facebook to market yourself: Share content of your own on Facebook. This might include your published work or a past project. Utilize your platform to showcase your experience and talents with friends and those you consider professional contacts.
Create or join Facebook groups with other professionals: Similar to an Instagram pod, create or join a Facebook group with your professional contacts on Facebook. Use this platform to share relevant material related to your profession, share your own writing and work, and engage with your fellow professionals’ work on a regular basis.

Growing your professional presence on social media doesn’t stop here. Check out our blog post on branding yourself across all of your favorite social platforms.

Written by Clairemont intern, Kennedy Norton, a fashion blogger and junior at North Carolina State University.

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On the Record: Networking

Sarah HattmanBlog, On the Record, Professional Development, , , , , ,

Networking is an essential part of any business. It’s all about who you know as well as who they know, but if you think a deep Rolodex or a robust LinkedIn profile is the key to success, think again.

For this installment of On the Record we’re talking with networking expert Brian Hoyle of Hot Air Marketing who offers his tips for making important business connections.

 

 

How do you approach networking? Connect with us on Facebook to share your tips!

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Social Media = Blogger’s Heaven

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Fashion, Social Media + Influencer Engagement, , , , , , , , ,

Fashion and lifestyle bloggers are a big deal in our industry. Since hitting the scene about a decade ago, they have become the voice of social media and influence their followers’ opinions. At Clairemont, we love tapping into the trendiest blogger circles in town and inviting them to check out our clients through fun and engaging events.

One of the bloggers that our Clairemont team admires is Essense Heel, of EssenseHeel.com. I interviewed her to find out how she keeps her likes and engagement on Instagram high and her Snapchat stories viewed.

Essense is a fashion and style influencer from Raleigh, N.C. She received her training as a wardrobe stylist from celebrity stylist Shun Melson by successfully completing Fashun 101 in 2014. In addition to styling, Essense is a closet coach, blogger, socialite and brand ambassador. Essense is on “the list” and receives the most exclusive invites to all the fashion social events in N.C., which lead her to be co-founder of The Where to be Society.

What is your brand’s overall purpose?

The overall purpose of my brand is to share my style expertise with personal styling tips and look book ideas for the different seasons. The fashion world is of course a greatly opinionated and diverse industry where self-expression is rife and there are tons of fashion rule books to swear by. However you get to tell the story of who you ARE through your own sense of fashion and style. No one can tell your story like you. I encourage my clients to be bold, be beautiful and be themselves.

Which social channels do you use?

My main social channels are Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. I recently started using Snapchat to give my followers an inside look at my daily routine as a stylist and VIP events that I attend around North Carolina.

What is your brand’s voice? 

The essence of Essense. My fashion posts are to inspire women to dress how they want to be addressed. I want women to believe that fashions fade, but style is eternal.

What is the tone of your social media updates?

I like to remain personal and humble. I want my followers to know that I believe in what I do, and to always keep in mind that looking good is not about the size on the tag, but more about dressing yourself in a way that makes you feel confident and shows off your best features.

Want to learn more about our blogger friends? Read about our PDQ blogger campaign here!

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