Jason, who should I meet with?
This is the question I get the most when I talk to someone that’s interested in trying their own version of the “100 Cups of Coffee” program.
Who you should meet with truly depends on your goals, however, here’s a tip that will help you build a meeting strategy.
Who to Meet
The first thing to do is to get out a handy sheet of paper and pen (or pencil) and make a list. This list will consist of names and basic contact information. Email, phone number, if they are a social media friend or not… These aren’t just any names though. These are the 30 most influential people in your current network. If you just thought to yourself “I don’t know anyone that is influential” I’m calling bull on that.
- If you are a student, your teachers or professors are people of influence.
- Do you go to a church or house of worship? The leader, pastor, father, deacon or key volunteer would be a person of influence.
- Are you a stay at home dad or mother? Think for a moment of the parent in your circle of friends that seems to have it together. They are a person of influence.
- Maybe you are new to an area, truly know nobody. Look up some local networking groups, attend a meeting – show up early and pay attention to the person that most people are listening to – they would be the most influential person in that group. Also – I would suggest that if you HAVE recently moved to a new area, asking for help from your old network – (the one you just left) would be an excellent idea. Use social media for this. Make a post on Facebook or Twitter – ( or whatever social media platform you use) and ask who you need to meet in your new area.
Not Local?
One of the people that tried the 100 Cups program told me she was nervous because NONE of her clients were local. She wasn’t looking for local clients. She lived in a very rural area, but the service she offered was much more likely to be utilized by larger corporations in urban business centers. We talked through a “virtual cup of coffee” and she started making her list of influential people all across the country to have coffee with on Skype.
Non-Compete?
You may be like I was and have a non-compete. When I started this business, I was contractually and morally obligated NOT to offer the same services to my past clients… I went a different direction with services and met with several people in my existing network. Here is the key though… One of the things I would ask them is “who should I be meeting with.”
Say this with me… “Who should I be meeting with?” Repeat it again.
Did you say it? Good! This sentence will take these 30 people of influence and expand it to 100 in NO time… but you MUST ASK THE QUESTION. That question can be altered slightly depending on your goals-
“Who should I be meeting with that YOU think I can help?”
“Who should I be meeting with that can help build my network?”
“Who should I be meeting with that might need my services?”
“Who should I be meeting with that I could partner up with on projects?”
You could have an entire coffee meeting, not ask for business, not even LOOK for business and ask “who should I be meeting with” and create incredible opportunities for yourself.
If you are giving this a try, let me know how it’s going at Jason(@)100Cups.Coffee or hit me up in the comments.
Jason
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