How Do You Acquire Leads To Give?

• Go somewhere everyday. Choose activities that you enjoy. A sport, hobby, the gym, volunteer effort, spiritual/religious group, or family activities.
• Become known as the Referral Source (when someone needs someone or something they know to contact you because you have a large network of people you know and trust).
• Have a genuine desire to help people, your potential new business friends
• Create an opportunity that allows you to reconnect with people you meet. Send them the name of someone or something that is useful to them. This allows you to acquire their contact information and follow up.
• Spend 80% of your time with the most active and responsive 20% of your connections file.
• Network wisely. Choose only one in each of the following categories: Weekly networking group, monthly group and industry association. More is not better because in order to really benefit from your affiliations you must participate. Participate on the board or team of at least one of your groups at all times. This allows you to meet the Members quicker and better.
• Plan an annual event for your clients and contacts. This can be done by hosting a Leads Club Mixer and introducing your networks to each other. Chose a time of year that corresponds with your businesses peak activity in a complimentary way. If you are a CPA, host a function in time for clients to do tax planning. If you have gift items, Oct. or Nov. are great months.
• Have a minimum of three pieces of follow up material that you send out automatically to the new people you meet. In addition, have a monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly piece to send to your complete contact list. This can be a newsletter, tips sheet, useful seasonal information relating to your industry. Specials, contests, gifts and bonuses are a great reason to re-connect.
  

The bottom line when considering an idea is this: Will it provide a benefit to the recipient? Remember, what you put out you get back. A smile and a sincere desire to help your fellow human beings is felt before you even say a word.