Six Ways to Play it Forward in Networking (Part 1)
As most of us know, karma is real. What you put into the world is what you get out of it. In the world of networking, Play it Forward means helping others build their business in hopes of them helping grow yours. Sharing the links for your fellow professionals is the way to go.
Selflessness is a virtue and it is a trait that is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world of networking. Entrepreneurs are realizing that as they create opportunities for other professionals, their actions are reciprocated.
In this six part series, we’ve put together a list of the most effective ways for you to play it forward. This selfless act will in return help bring new business your way.
Sharing links for others
Since the pandemic, most entrepreneurs have taken their businesses online and now offer their services virtually. The challenge has now become how to market themselves effectively, especially on social media.
There are groups on LinkedIn and Facebook as well as searchable hashtags on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. These groups enable us to share business links to prospects that fit our demographics as well as location preferences. If one would like to expand their business in California, they can share their links on a Facebook group like this one.
Three types of posts that you can share
Instead of sharing your own links, try sharing the link of a person you’d like to network with. If you’re a mortgage broker, for example share the link for a realtor you’d like to partner up with. Make sure you post in certain groups that will put the realtor in front of prospects hoping to live in the area that they cover.
You may want to also share links that cover a few aspects of their business. If we stick to the realtor example, you can share links that promote their services as a listing agent. This may entice those who are considering selling their home to choose your trusted realtor. You can also share links that will promote their services as a buying agent. These types of posts may entice those who are moving to the area and are looking for a realtor.
Another out of the box idea would be to create a post in business groups that you’re looking for a financial advisor. Financial advisors love partnering up with realtors to share clients, and your post will introduce one to your realtor. In the world of networking, these are called connections and they are the gifts that keep on giving.
Additionally, you’ll find that sharing a link to your realtor’s Facebook business page, LinkedIn, Instagram, or even TikTok would be helpful. As their followers grow, the platform will recommend their profile to other users looking for those services. Engagement, although indirect, is a great way to help the realtor that you’re trying to build a relationship with.
Make it known that you’re sharing
Next, you’ll want to let the realtor know that you’ve shared their links. They’ll know that your efforts may bring them new clients. We help others in hopes that others help us in return, so make it known that you’ve played it forward for them.
Don’t hesitate to ask for a playback, as most people need to be asked before they act. Networkers know that if they play it back to you, you’ll continue sharing their links too. This will further increase the chances of securing each other prospects or connections.
The App that Simplifies Sharing on Social Media
Fortunately, there’s a California-based company called MNO that developed an app that makes all what we recommended to do easier, faster, and more effective in getting it all done. The MNO Member app allows members to create what are called feature links which are then shared by their fellow members across social media with just one click of the button.
Feature links can be created to build a member’s social media profile likes, locate them new clients, or connect them with other professionals who can recommend each other to their clients.
What’s also great about the app is that a notification is sent out to the member whose link is shared letting them know that that member has shared their links. This notification is designed to entice the member to play it back to their fellow member and share their link in return.
If you’d like to visit an MNO chapter and promote your business via a fun and engaging hour-long networking zoom, click here and register to attend. You’ll also get a tour of the MNO Member App and hear from all the members how they played it forward for each other.
MNO App posts directly to any platform
Next Article: Part 2. Sessions
There are so many other great ways to play it forward in the world of networking. Next month we will cover how sessions can be a great way to play it forward and build your business.