A Bonsai Network is a cultivated Sphere of Influence Bigger networks don’t always mean better. A selectively cared for and developed network can be much more powerful and last a lifetime. You need a network of like-minded, inspirational and uplifting people who will get your message, who will love your message and who will share your message.

1. A guide to cultivating your power network by
using new media techniques with old school
networking
#BonsaiNW
Thursday, October 7, 2010

2. A Bonsai Network is
a cultivated Sphere of
Influence
A sphere of influence is the group of
people (your network) who know, like
and trust you.
They refer you, they support you and
they help you. Treat them like gold.
Always thank them, even if a referral
doesn't work out.
Why Bonsai?
Thursday, October 7, 2010

3. Objectives for this session
• Rules of Bonsai Networking
• Real life examples
• Your Online Presence
• Your Offline Presence
• Brining social media and F2F networking
together
• Your best networking partners
• Resources
• What's next?
Thursday, October 7, 2010

4. The 5 Rules of Bonsai Networking
1. The Rule of Reciprocity (Pollination)
2. The Rule of Value Added (Fertilization)
3. The Rule of Quality over Quantity (Pruning)
4. The Rule of Purposeful Planning (Patience)
5. The Golden Rule
Thursday, October 7, 2010

5. Real Life Examples
Thursday, October 7, 2010

6. Real Life Examples
Thursday, October 7, 2010

7. Real Life Examples
Thursday, October 7, 2010

8. Your Online Presence
Hub and Spoke
Facebook
Twitter
Video
Photography
LinkedIn
Location based apps
Blog RSS
Email
Thursday, October 7, 2010

9. Determine your Hub
Everyone needs an online home-base
is this your website?
is this your blog?
this is where you send people back to
via social profiles, email signatures and
business cards
Thursday, October 7, 2010

10. Social Media
Select a few which resonate with your interests. Facebook,
Twitter, Linkedin are very well known, but there are dozens!
Thursday, October 7, 2010

11. Your Offline Presence
Civic Groups
Industry Groups
Local Groups
Hobbies
Sports
Places of worship
Chambers
B2B Networking Groups
Schools
Thursday, October 7, 2010

12. Bringing it all together
O2O (online to offline)
Coffee
Drinks
A mutual event
Meet-ups
Tweet-ups
Shout-outs
Thursday, October 7, 2010

13. Applying the 5 Rules
Rule 1 -The Rule of Reciprocity (Pollination)
Promoting others
Their blogs
Their business (referrals)
Their events
Their causes
Via Shares, Likes, Introductions, Recommendations, Re-tweets
Thursday, October 7, 2010

14. Applying the 5 Rules
Rule 2 - The Value Added Rule (Fertilization)
Status updates
Shared links
Content of your blogs
Segmentation
Life-streaming vs. Value Added Content
Thursday, October 7, 2010

15. Applying the 5 Rules
Rule 3 - Quality over Quantity
(Pruning)
In those we follow
In those online channels we select
In those offline groups we belong to
You can't do everything well, so stop
trying. Select a few online and
offline places and do them very well.
Become involved and add value.
Thursday, October 7, 2010

16. Applying the 5 Rules
Rule 4 - Purposeful Planning (Patience)
• Goals
• Objectives
• A plan
• Selectivity
• Segmentation
• Time
• No scattershot approach
Thursday, October 7, 2010

17. Applying the 5 Rules
Rule 5 - The Golden Rule
This is not churn and burn, this is building relationships for life.
When "unfriend" is as easy as a click, the Golden Rule was
never so important as now.
Don't Spam
Not with your Facebook and Twitter statuses
Not with canned scripted calls
Not with location based app updates
Not in your networking conversations
Thursday, October 7, 2010

18. Your best networking partners
Your tightest circle is going to be a combination of:
1) Your raving fans
2) Those you, like yourself, have a service, product or
message to share (ie small business owners, bloggers, job
seekers) because they not only understand the value of
networking and reciprocity but they are out there doing the
same thing as you are, broadening your reach.
- Bloggers
- Small Business Owners
- Job Seekers
Thursday, October 7, 2010

19. On Partner Building
• Don't be intimidated of those at the "top", everyone is just a
person
• Twitter is the great equalizer
• Groom and support those just entering Social Media
• Surround yourself with great people
• Let the top "pull" you up
• Surround yourself with others with like mindedness
• Collaborate on projects
• Always thank them for their referrals
Thursday, October 7, 2010

20. Resources (Books)
Who’s Got Your Back 6 Pixels of Separation
Flip the Funnel Crush It
The Whuffie Factor Referral Engine
Love is the Killer App Tribes
Engage Trust Agents
Duct Tape Marketing Socialnomics
Thursday, October 7, 2010

21. Takeaways
• You never know where something might lead
• Look for fellow bonsai growers and fertilize them
• Remember the Golden Rule
• Be selective
• Be a blessing
• Take it offline
• Don't be afraid
• Have a plan
• Be patient
• Pay it forward
Thursday, October 7, 2010

22. What's Next?
November - Intermediate Bonsai Cultivation
Putting a plan in place and getting it up and running in 30 days
Your own hub and spokes
Community networking
RSS
Additional social media sites
Additional resources
Cost $50
Thursday, October 7, 2010

23. What's Next
December - Advanced Bonsai Cultivation
For the people who enjoy tech.
Advanced tips, tricks and techniques on how to bring it all
together.
Blog comments
Power social media
Advanced find and follow
Start something special
Reach for the stars
Branding
Cost $50 OR Both $80
Thursday, October 7, 2010

24. "It is literally true that you can
succeed best and quickest by
helping others to succeed."
- Napoleon Hill
Thursday, October 7, 2010