2. WHO WE ARE
RESCUE DESK VIRTUAL ASSISTANT SERVICES
provides executive, administrative and
marketing support “virtually.”
We take time-consuming tasks off our clients’
to-do lists.
Team of three in our downtown Madison office
(along with 3 freelancers and partnerships
with local service providers.)
www.RescueDeskVA.com
3. WHO WE WORK WITH
Typical Clientele include:
• Small-business owners
• Independent service providers (accountants)
• Solo entrepreneurs (coaches, consultants, etc.)
• Associations and non-profits
• Authors and writers
• Executives and department managers
www.RescueDeskVA.com
4. WHO WE WORK WITH
About 98% of our business comes
from referrals, word-of-mouth and
relationships we’ve developed.
All created through NETWORKING!
www.RescueDeskVA.com
5. OVERVIEW
Networking as a skill – it can be learned
Who would you like to meet? Why?
It’s not about taking
What to do with that growing contact list
Measure the success of your efforts
www.RescueDeskVA.com
6. 7 DEADLY MISTAKES
Excerpt from “7 Deadly Entrepreneurial Networking
Mistakes” – Peter Shallard (www.petershallard.com)
1. Go to “Networking Events”
“Networking events” are full of people looking
for sales leads. By default, they’re not looking
to buy. Or help.
www.RescueDeskVA.com
7. 7 DEADLY MISTAKES
Excerpt from “7 Deadly Entrepreneurial Networking
Mistakes” – Peter Shallard (www.petershallard.com)
2. Network for Direct Sales
Unless you’re networking with extremely
wealthy people, strictly networking for direct
sales does not result in a scalable business
model.
www.RescueDeskVA.com
8. 7 DEADLY MISTAKES
Excerpt from “7 Deadly Entrepreneurial Networking
Mistakes” – Peter Shallard (www.petershallard.com)
3. Network without a clear
outcome in mind
Having a clear idea about what you’re after
(staff, partnerships, capital, mentors, etc.) is
key to finding it.
www.RescueDeskVA.com
9. 7 DEADLY MISTAKES
Excerpt from “7 Deadly Entrepreneurial Networking
Mistakes” – Peter Shallard (www.petershallard.com)
4. Cling to your goal like a needy loser
Having clarity about your goals is
important, but once you engage in
conversation, relax. Go with the flow and
focus on the other person.
www.RescueDeskVA.com
10. 7 DEADLY MISTAKES
Excerpt from “7 Deadly Entrepreneurial Networking
Mistakes” – Peter Shallard (www.petershallard.com)
5. Treat networking as anything other
than making friends.
Real networking, with the truly successful
people, is just hanging out. It’s not some kind
of speed dating “what-can-you-do-for-me?”
game.
www.RescueDeskVA.com
11. 7 DEADLY MISTAKES
Excerpt from “7 Deadly Entrepreneurial Networking
Mistakes” – Peter Shallard (www.petershallard.com)
6. Be boring.
Successful entrepreneurs don’t spend all
day talking about marketing tactics and
staff management. They’re passionate
people, and that passion bleeds into other
spheres of life.
www.RescueDeskVA.com
12. 7 DEADLY MISTAKES
Excerpt from “7 Deadly Entrepreneurial Networking
Mistakes” – Peter Shallard (www.petershallard.com)
7. Be uninterested in your own work
Do not engage in networking when you’re not
interested in your own work. Always be
working on an interesting project. It gives you
a reason to talk, ask questions and pick the
brains of smart people (which they love).
www.RescueDeskVA.com
13. NETWORKING IS A SKILL
One of the single most important
skill sets you can develop!
A mixture of science, intuition and self-
awareness
Getting over your fears
Understand how and where to meet people
Practice, practice, practice
www.RescueDeskVA.com
14. IT’S ALL ABOUT GIVING
Networking isn’t about taking …
it’s 100% about giving.
Relationship Development vs Sales
Openness to learn about other people
Be genuinely interested
Follow up and FOLLOW THROUGH!
www.RescueDeskVA.com
15. WHO ARE YOU MEETING
Who would you like to meet?
And more importantly … why?
Prospective Clients
Strategic Partners
Potential vendors or service providers
Mentors and your “support team”
www.RescueDeskVA.com
16. A GROWING CONTACT LIST
You’re growing your contact list.
Now what?
Incorporating people into your marketing
lifecycle
www.RescueDeskVA.com
18. A GROWING CONTACT LIST
You’re growing your contact list.
Now what?
Incorporating people into your marketing
lifecycle
Referral “star”
www.RescueDeskVA.com
20. A GROWING CONTACT LIST
You’re growing your contact list.
Now what?
Incorporating people into your marketing
lifecycle
Referral “star”
Tools to track and organize
www.RescueDeskVA.com
21. A GROWING CONTACT LIST
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System
22. MEASURING SUCCESS
Are you boosting your business or
wasting your time?
Be strategic about where you spend time
www.RescueDeskVA.com
23. MEASURING SUCCESS
Be Strategic…
Who attends this event?
Have I met people with “relationship potential”
Is it related to my business?
How much does it cost?
How did I learn about it?
What kind of time commitment is required?
What’s your conversion rate?
24. MEASURING SUCCESS
Are you boosting your business or
wasting your time?
Be strategic about where you spend time
Budget for networking (time/cost/effort)
www.RescueDeskVA.com
25. MEASURING SUCCESS
Budgeting
Cost of membership/attendance
Time away from office
Time for follow -up and follow-through
Convenience/location
Alignment with my marketing plan/budget
Has involvement resulted in sales, partnerships
or relationships?
26. MEASURING SUCCESS
Are you boosting your business or
wasting your time?
Be strategic about where you spend time
Budget for networking (time/cost/effort)
Test and measure your network
www.RescueDeskVA.com
27. MEASURING SUCCESS
Example: Test and measure
Roger
(banker)
Sue Jennifer Dave
Michael Phil Kari Janet Jim Mark Nicki
Mike Joe
www.RescueDeskVA.com
29. CONCLUSION
Networking is a skill that can be learned
Practice and self-awareness
Know your goals
Who do you want to partner with?
It’s all about giving
And building LASTING relationships!
Keep track of your growing contact list
And take care of them!
Measure your networking
Be strategic
www.RescueDeskVA.com