Having a Blast with Boston Media Makers
Posted by dan ronken
Man I appreciate Boston and all of the wonderful people involved in this social media gathering. Last time I went to an 'official' networking meeting was probably ten years ago when I lived in Denver, CO. You know the ones I'm talking about. A group of professionals getting together once a week in the early mornings on a weekday or during lunch.
But yesterday, I attended Boston Media Makers for the first time and times have changed, indeed. This event was created by Steve Garfield, video blogging expert and author of the upcoming book Get Seen: Online Video Secrets to Building Your Business. *I gladly provide that link to Amazon because he's a great dude who really knows video!* This was the most fun I've had at a 'networking' (that's not even the right word, felt more like a gathering of friends) meeting I've ever attended.
It was a very special gathering yesterday because it was specifically promoted as a family friendly event and everyone was encouraged to bring along the kids, and anything else they wanted to donate (no, they were not donating the kids; just donating items for a raffle). So the energy in the room fueled me up for the duration of a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.
Here where it gets interesting. In my former life, as a sales manager at a telecommunications company, I would end up leaving networking meetings with a handful of business cards, and would possibly hear from one or two people from throughout the week who had a lead (some meetings had a set minimum number of leads you were required to give each week).
I also remember there were times when I would be scrambling to try and get a lead, just so I would not show up to the meeting empty handed. I doubt I was the only one who went through a similar experience.
But Boston Media Makers is nothing like that. Our 'three minute' introduction consisted not of sales pitches , but was more about sharing valuable information or asking for advice.
Members of the group were then sending 'real time messages' via Twitter to their extended networks which has an immediate effect of reaching an audience of potentially thousands of people in a matter of seconds. I already knew that blogging generates business, but this is real time communication I'm talking about here. Last week I spoke about leverage, but this situation takes it to a whole other level.
I want to emphasis, this is NOT about sales pitches, it's about connecting with, and helping people. Times are changing and if you utilize technological tools (such as those that allow you to share real time information), your efforts to help others can exponentially. And that my friends, it truly powerful.
How do you network these days? Is it mostly online or do you have special gathering as well? Please leave a comment and let us know what's working for you.
Photo Credit: SteveGarfield