You didn't think I'd forget about your Sphere of Influence (SOI) in my Pipeline 2010 series didja'? Of course not...
If you've followed my blog at all, you might have noticed that I'm a big fan of an SOI business model, as long as it doesn't include any begging, bribing or pestering those Very Important People Who Know You. At last count, I've written over 200 blogs & articles on the subject and there are three whole chapters in my upcoming book on it. It's my thang.
So, what can you do with your Sphere of Influence TODAY to fill your pipeline for 2010?
Well, just about anything, really. Except begging, bribing or pestering. If, today, you begin making a concerted effort to reconnect with the people you know, by the end of the year, you'll have made a real impression on a lot of people. And I'll bet you'll have met a lot MORE people to include in your sphere to make a real impression on.
What do I mean by reconnect? Well, it depends on how formal you want to get with it. If you've been hankering to change up your business model away from traditional prospecting and into something a little more fun, then you might want to explore the various programs available to walk you thru doing just that (and yeah, I have one of those).
Or, just set some easy goals to have a couple lunch dates every week, to pick up the phone and call a friend if you have a bona-fide reason to. Accept invitations to parties you might normally decline. Have your own casual dinner party or afternoon BBQ. Organize a girls night or boys night out. Go through your email inbox and look for old conversations you can pick back up. Oh, heavens, there are a gazillion things you can do to get back in touch with the people you know and increase the likelihood of making new friends.
Just promise me you won't beg, bribe or pester anyone for business during your reconnection efforts. Or, ever. If you do, your friends and acquaintances won't appreciate being reconnected with and not only will your Sphere of Influence business model fail, you'll likely lose some friendships over it.
And that's bad.
Next up: The Very BEST Way to Fill Up Your Pipeline
Jennifer,
Great post. Thanks for these great reminders to expand our SOI.
Jennifer- so true. We sometimes get caught up in working so much that we neglect staying in touch. This I am going to do....starting now. Thanks for the nudge. Dixie
Jennifer, I think this is a great post, a good reminder to us all to keep in contact with our spere of influence. I have a newsletter that will go out next week about a month late, my bad, I will make sure it does now. Jane
I stay in touch with a newsletter that goes monthly. No pressure just a colorful update on what's happening in my Florida market. I have had two businessmen who have lobby traffic ask for quantities to put in their lobbies. This will be a bonus form my sphere.
Good morning, Jennifer. You're so right; building an SOI is a never-ending process. You just have to keep at it. "Out of sight" really is "out of mind!"
JA - It is difficult but easy to reconnect with that pipeline and database. I like what you say about agreeing to go to those parties and such. Sometimes we get too busy to make things like that but when you do, you really miss out on networking opportunities and having a little bit of fun too ! ~ Chris
Jennifer,
I like this post. My goal for this month is to have 10 1 hour meetings with fellow members of my networking group. I had better get to work! Thanks for the reminder.
Patrick
I hear you, I have changed my model this year and kept up with your post for support. No more begging and pestering but I sure hit that delete button a lot or so it seems.
Hi Jennifer, I am following and reading your posts now for a while and I love the concept. Did you consider to expand it to target it towards Home Stagers? Which of your books/ebooks would be a good one for "us" to read?
Hey Barbara! Ooooh, I think it would be great fun to figure out how to apply SWS for stagers... I don't know if any of my books would really be all that helpful, unless you enjoy reading about real estate. Right now I don't have any "generic" products - they're all very real estate-specific. But I'd probably say that my very latest book would have the most material for you. It's only in ebook form til the end of the year when it goes to print - but here's a link: http://swsstore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=5. Thanks for asking!
Charles - What is it you're deleting?
Patrick - Go get 'em! But remember, no salespitching!
Chris - I'm the master at coming up with excuses not to socialize. I have to remind myself that there's a financial benefit to it... God, I"m pathetic.
Leslie - True! Thanks so much for all your comments on my blogs lately !
Dave - I'm so glad that's working for you! I never had much luck with newsletters, though.
Jane - When I'm procrastinating something I know I should do, I just remind myself how lousy I'd feel if I lost a referral due to my procrastination... which probably happens a lot!
Dixie - Glad I could help - nudge nudge!
Julie - Anytime...
Jennifer,
This is great advice and you are so right there are many ways you can reconnect with your SOI. You just need to get out and have fun.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Jennifer - Thanks! It's a new world out there and SOI is a big part of it. Making a living CAN be fun.
Jennifer,
Great post and you are right on! Kent I agree with you..making a living CAN be fun! We have choices.