Category: Networking

Business Networking Tips: 10 Proven Strategies for Success

Michael WhitehouseLeave a comment

Looking for business networking tips that deliver real results? Effective networking isn’t about collecting cards or pitching endlessly; it’s about genuine relationships. As The Guy Who Knows a Guy, I’ve refined powerful business networking tips into practical actions anyone can take. These proven strategies can instantly transform your approach to networking events and one-on-one interactions.

Here are 10 business networking tips you can start using immediately:

business networking tips – professionals shaking hands at an event

1. Business Networking Tips Start With Your 8-Second Introduction

Your introduction should be concise and compelling. An effective format:

“You know how many people find networking stressful and awkward? What I do is teach simple strategies that make it fun and effective.”

Master more details about this in-depth in my article on crafting your perfect 8-second introduction.

2. Great Business Networking Tips Focus on Providing Value

Successful networking focuses on the other person, not on immediate gains. Always ask yourself, “How can I help?” For a deeper dive, read about how to provide real value in networking.

3. Effective Business Networking Tips Emphasize Making Introductions

The simplest way to add value is to introduce someone to a useful connection. Always end conversations with, “Who can I introduce you to?”

4. Book Your Next Meeting Immediately – a Vital Business Networking Tip

Always schedule your follow-up during your initial conversation. This demonstrates seriousness and keeps momentum strong.

5. Business Networking Tips for Choosing the Right Events

Not all events suit every goal. Identify those aligned specifically with your needs—new business, strategic partnerships, or learning opportunities.

A great place to practice powerful networking: JV Connect.

6. Don’t Sell—Connect

The key to successful networking is building your Personal Referral Network by genuinely helping others. Avoid sales pressure and aim to become the go-to connector. See why traditional selling often fails and what to do instead.

7. Clarify Your Compelling Vision

State your goals clearly and passionately. Instead of vague phrases, say something inspiring, like: “My mission is to help entrepreneurs network effectively without anxiety.”

8. Use the “Networking Genie” Technique

Imagine a magical genie could introduce you to anyone. Who would that person be? This powerful networking tip clarifies your ideal connections.

9. Always Be Ready to Network

Every conversation—at the grocery store, gym, or coffee shop—is a potential networking opportunity. Always have your introduction ready.

10. Follow Up is Crucial for Effective Business Networking

Networking fails most often due to poor follow-up. Always send a quick message, make that promised introduction, or schedule a next step immediately.

Conclusion: Implement These Tips Now

Real networking is a practice of ongoing generosity and strategic follow-through. Start applying these business networking tips today to transform your networking results rapidly.

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out my books:
All Books
The Guide to Networking
The Guy Who Knows a Guy

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The Secret to Effective One-on-One Networking Meetings

Michael WhitehouseLeave a comment

You finally got the meeting. 🎉
You connected at the mixer. You followed up. You booked the Zoom. And now… you’re sitting there, staring at the screen (or across a table at Starbucks), thinking…

“So… what now?”

If your one-on-one meetings feel like awkward blind dates that lead nowhere, you’re not alone. Most people have never been taught how to have a networking meeting that actually works.

But the truth is, effective one-on-one networking meetings are the secret sauce of relationship-based business growth.

Let’s fix yours right now.

Know What You’re Looking For

Before you even hop on the call, you should have a solid idea of what you’re hoping to get out of it.

That doesn’t mean you’re showing up with a pitch deck and a square-jawed sales face.

It means you’re clear on what kind of connections you’re looking for:

  • Are you trying to meet event organizers?
  • Affiliates for your launch?
  • Referral partners for your $5K offer?

Whatever it is, know it—and be ready to articulate it in plain English. If you’re not sure how to position your offer for collaborators, your 8-second intro can help you dial that in.

Set the Stage Before the Meeting

Use a booking link like Calendly to streamline the process and make it professional. Want to take it to the next level? Include questions like:

  • “What are your business goals right now?”
  • “What kind of people are you hoping to meet?”
  • “What would make this call wildly valuable for you?”

Asking these before the meeting means you come in hot with relevant insights, thoughtful questions, and a sense of direction.

(Pro tip: Here’s how to set up that Calendly link like a pro. You’ll thank me later.)

Provide Value First. Always.

Here’s the part most people screw up. The purpose of a one-on-one is not to get something—it’s to give something.

And there are three magic ways to give value:

  • 🧠 Advice – Share a book, resource, or insight that helps them.
  • 🤝 Introduction – Connect them to someone relevant.
  • 🎯 Offer – But only if they’ve shown a need your offer solves.

Let’s say the person across from you is a coach who’s struggling to make consistent income. They mention they’re great at transformation but struggle with finding more clients or converting calls into cash. That’s when you might casually drop this:
“Hey, you ever heard of Rob Goyette’s Laser Coaching model? It’s a game-changer for coaches looking to boost revenue without burning out. I actually have a link to the free training he offers—worth a look.”

Boom. That’s value. You just gave them a resource that could solve a real problem—and they’ll remember you for it.

Take Notes, Follow Up, Be a Pro

Always follow up. Even if the meeting doesn’t result in fireworks, send a quick note:
“Great to connect. Let me know how I can support you.”

And if you promised a referral or link? Do it. Like, today. Following through is what separates the amateurs from the people who become legendary connectors. (And if your follow-up strategy could use some polish, this breakdown of how most people blow it is a must-read.)

Build Momentum, Not Just a Contact List

Effective one-on-one networking meetings aren’t transactional. They’re relationship seeds. Plant them right, and they grow into partnerships, collaborations, and opportunities.

You just have to know how to do it with intention, generosity, and clarity.

Want to Master Networking the Right Way?

The tips above are just a taste. If you want the full system—the one I’ve used to build an empire of powerful connections—you’ll want to grab my book:

👉 The Guy Who Knows A Guy’s Guide to Networking

No fluff. No scripts. Just a practical, powerful system for turning connections into opportunities.

Start showing up to your next one-on-one like a pro. The kind of pro people remember.

Why Your Follow-Up Strategy is Killing Your Network (And How to Fix It)

Michael WhitehouseLeave a comment

If your calendar is full of networking calls but your business isn’t growing, your follow-up strategy might be the problem. In fact, I’d say 90% of missed opportunities in networking don’t happen during the event — they happen after it.

That’s right. Your networking follow-up strategy may be slowly strangling your potential. But don’t worry. I’ve got your oxygen mask.

The Real Goal of Networking Is…?

Let’s back up. What’s the point of networking? (Spoiler: It’s not to collect business cards like Pokémon.)

Networking is about building real relationships — the kind that lead to referrals, partnerships, and growth. The key to that? Follow-up.

One brief conversation at a mixer does not a relationship make. You need follow-up — real follow-up. Not the “let’s stay in touch” kind that disappears into the void.

But most people never make it past “Nice meeting you.”

Let’s fix that.

Follow-Up That Builds Relationships

A good networking follow-up strategy does three things:

  1. Moves the connection forward
  2. Provides value
  3. Is intentional and repeatable

Let’s break those down.

1. Move the Connection Forward

Every interaction should have a next step.

After that initial call, do you book a follow-up in 30 days? Introduce them to someone? Invite them to your podcast or event? Share a resource?

You don’t always need to sell. In fact, you almost never should. The goal is momentum — keep the ball rolling.

That’s why I recommend creating a Calendly link (or similar scheduling tool) with smart intake questions. It helps you book that next step while keeping things organized.

2. Provide Value Right Away

During your first call, pay attention to what they need — then give it to them. Not a pitch. Not your offer. Actual value.

Three ways to do that?

  • A relevant introduction
  • A piece of advice
  • A resource or opportunity

For example, if someone mentions that they are confused by finance, you could share with them Penelope Jane Smith’s Financial Freedom 101. You’re not selling. You’re helping.

This is what makes people remember you. Not your elevator pitch. Not your clever tagline. But how helpful you were when they didn’t expect it.

3. Be Consistent (And Keep It Real)

You don’t need a CRM that rivals NASA. A spreadsheet, Google Calendar, or a whiteboard is fine — as long as you use it.

The key is to follow up with people you want in your network. If the call was a dud, let it go. But if there was potential, don’t let it die in the “we should do something sometime” zone.

And please — don’t be weird. Follow up like a human being. Remember something from your conversation. Share a relevant resource. Be yourself.

Your Network Is Only as Strong as Your Follow-Up

You’re not going to build a powerful, opportunity-generating network by accident. You need a networking follow-up strategy that works — one built on action, value, and consistency.

The best part? You don’t need to invent this from scratch. I wrote the book on it — literally.

👉 If this resonates and you want a clear, fun, and actionable guide to mastering the art of networking (and follow-up), grab your copy of The Guy Who Knows a Guy’s Guide to Networking right here.

Let’s fix your follow-up — and your network.

Why Most Networking Fails (And What to Do Instead)

Michael WhitehouseLeave a comment

Networking is one of the most powerful tools in your business arsenal… and also one of the most misused. Walk into any typical networking event and you’ll find a parade of people handing out business cards like Halloween candy, rattling off pitchy introductions, and leaving with a stack of names they’ll never follow up on.

Sound familiar?

The truth is, most networking fails—not because people are lazy or bad at it, but because they’re doing it backwards.

They’re trying to get before they ever think about how to give.

Let’s fix that.

The Real Goal of Networking

Most people walk into a networking event thinking, “How can I make a sale?” That’s like showing up to a first date with a wedding ring and a detailed proposal. Too soon, my friend. Too soon.

The real goal of networking is not to close a deal in the room—it’s to identify people you want to follow up with and build relationships. The money? The deals? The magic? That happens in the follow-up.

So stop treating every handshake like a sales opportunity, and start treating it like an invitation to a deeper connection.

The 3 Reasons Networking Usually Bombs

1. No Clarity on Goals
If you don’t know what you’re there for, neither does anyone else. Walk in knowing who you’re looking to meet—your ideal partners, clients, vendors, mentors—and what kind of conversations you want to have.

2. Talking Too Much (or Not Enough)
Ever meet someone who monologues about their business until your eyes glaze over? Or someone so vague you’re not sure what they even do? Don’t be that person. Start with a tight, clear 8-second intro (learn to do that here), then ask great questions. Make it about them.

3. No Follow-Up
You leave with a pocket full of business cards, toss them on your desk, and forget all about them. Weeks later, you can’t remember who they were or why you wanted to talk. Effective networking always includes timely, intentional follow-up. If you’re not doing that, you’re not networking.

Here’s What to Do Instead

  • Focus on giving value: Make introductions, offer resources, share advice.
  • Keep it simple: Just look to identify people you want to follow up with.
  • Use a calendar link to make booking calls frictionless.
  • Show up consistently and track what’s working.

Networking done right doesn’t feel like selling. It feels like helping. And when people like you and trust you, business happens naturally.

Ready to Stop Failing at Networking?

If this resonated with you, you’ll love my book The Guy Who Knows a Guy’s Guide to Networking. It goes deep into strategies, tactics, and mindset shifts that will change how you connect forever.

👉 Click here to grab your copy now

Let’s stop networking the hard way. Let’s do it the right way.

How to Create a Calendly Link That Makes You Look Like a Pro

Michael WhitehouseLeave a comment

So, you’ve decided to stop playing “schedule tag” over email and level up your networking game. Bravo! 🥳 Step one on your journey to networking greatness? Creating a calendar booking link that screams I’ve got my act together.

Let’s talk Calendly. Because nothing kills the flow of a great networking moment like:

“Hey, I’d love to follow up. Want to email me some times?”
“Sure! What time zone are you in again?”
“Are you free next Thursday?”
[5 days later]
“Sorry, I got busy. Still interested?”

Yikes.

Here’s how to create a clean, simple, pro-level scheduling experience that sets the tone for a powerful connection.

Step 1: Sign Up for Calendly

Go to Calendly.com and sign up for a free account (or a paid account if you want all the features. It’s cheap.) That’s it. Step 1 complete. Look at you go!

Step 2: Create a New Event Type

Click “New Event Type.” I recommend starting with a 20-30 minute 1:1 meeting—perfect for those quick “get to know you” networking follow-ups.

Set the event name to something clear like:

  • “Quick Networking Chat”
  • “Coffee Connection Call (BYO coffee ☕)”
  • “Let’s Meet!”

Set your availability to reflect when you’re generally free (and sane). Don’t open your calendar 24/7 unless you’re trying to win the World Record for Most Burnout.

Step 3: Add Smart Questions

This is where the magic happens. Don’t skip this.

Calendly lets you ask questions when someone books. This lets you show up to the call like a mind-reading genius.

Here are some sample questions to include:

  1. How did we meet or get connected?
  2. What are you hoping to get out of this conversation?
  3. Who are great connections for you?
  4. Anything else you want to share ahead of time?

Boom. You walk into every call with context. You’ve already skipped the awkward 5 minutes of “so, uh, what do you do again?”

Step 4: Copy Your Link and Keep It Handy

Calendly will give you a link that looks like this:

https://calendly.com/yourname/coffeechat

Save that somewhere you can easily grab it. Paste it in your Zoom chats. Add it to your email signature. Tattoo it on your forearm. (Okay, maybe don’t do that.)

Bonus Pro Tip: Customize the Confirmation Page

If you’ve got a resource, podcast, or event to share, Calendly lets you redirect folks after they book. Use that space to give value right away—just like I teach in the book.

Don’t Be a Calendar Caveman

Having a booking link doesn’t just save time—it sets you apart. It says:
📌 I respect your time.
📌 I’m organized.
📌 I’m serious about connecting.

And if you’re building your network, credibility matters from the first click.

Want to Get This Right the First Time?

Creating a Calendly link is just the beginning. To really rock your networking game (and never be ignored at a mixer again), grab your copy of The Guy Who Knows a Guy’s Guide to Networking. You’ll learn how to use that booking link like a boss—and build a network that actually works for you.

👉 Buy the book now

How to Write a Perfect 8-Second Introduction (That Actually Works)

Michael Whitehouse3 Comments

You know how everyone says, “You only get one chance to make a first impression”?
Well, when you’re networking, that impression better fit into 8 seconds.

Not 30. Not 60. Eight.

That’s because most networking interactions start with one lightning-fast moment of attention. If you use that moment to rattle off your job title and the industry buzzwords you think sound impressive… you’ve already lost them.

Enter: The 8-Second Networking Introduction

The 8-Second Intro is not about who you are.
It’s about the problem you solve—and for whom you solve it.

Let’s break it down.

🔹 It starts with “You know how…”

This line introduces the problem, and it’s crucial that it’s phrased in the third person.
Not “You know how you struggle with,” but rather:
“You know how some people…” or “You know how businesses often…”

You want to invite them into shared understanding without making it about them (yet).

🔹 Then comes “What I do is…”

Now you bring in the solution. And spoiler: the solution is not your job title.

Here’s the formula:

You know how [the problem]? What I do is [the solution].

That’s it. Simple. Memorable. Effective.

Let’s look at some examples.

🏠 Example: The Realtor

❌ “I’m a realtor. I help people buy and sell homes.”
🙄 Yawn. So does literally every other realtor in the universe.

✅ “You know how buying a home can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life? What I do is guide people through the process so it’s easy and even enjoyable.”

🔥 Boom. Now you’re not a realtor. You’re a stress-busting dream home sherpa.

💼 Example: The Business Coach

❌ “I’m a business coach.”
🤷 Cool story.

✅ “You know how entrepreneurs get stuck working 60 hours a week and still don’t see results? What I do is help them design systems so their business works even when they don’t.”

Now that’s someone I want to talk to.

🎯 Why It Works

  • It gets attention fast.
  • It focuses on your value, not your title.
  • It’s easy to remember and repeat (perfect for referrals).

And most importantly: it opens the door to a real conversation.

✨ Final Tip: Tailor It

Don’t write your 8-Second Intro once and carve it in stone.
You’ll want to tweak it for different audiences, events, or goals.

But always keep the core structure.
Because structure = clarity.
And clarity = connections.

Want More Magic Like This?

The Guy Who Knows a Guy's Guide to Networking by Michael Whitehouse

The 8-Second Intro is just one of many powerful tools you’ll master in
The Guy Who Knows a Guy’s Guide to Networking — a real-world guide to building relationships that turn into results.

🎯 If you want to finally feel confident walking into any room (or Zoom) and know exactly what to say and how to say it…

👉 Get the book here and start networking like a pro.

Networking: Is the the Plane or the Pilot?

Michael WhitehouseLeave a comment

In Top Gun: Maverick (one of the best movies of the decade so far), there is a repeated motif of “It’s not the plane. It’s the pilot.”

It culminates in the climactic battle when Maverick and Rooster end up an old F-14 up against multiple state of the art, fifth generation enemy fighters.

Rooster inspires Maverick to do some of that pilot s#!t by saying, “It’s not the plane. It’s the pilot.”

Very exciting. Very dramatic. Very awesome!

So, maybe it is the pilot?

I’ve also been watching Drive to Survive lately on Netflix. That’s the reality series about Formula One and the stories behind the races.

Many stories focus on the drivers and their skill and confidence and how they drive the car.

But they also talk about the importance of the car.

The best driver in the worst car cannot win.

The worst driver in the best car cannot win.

Only the best driver in the best car can win.

Which brings us to networking

I recently heard someone say that the most important thing in finding success in a networking group is “self initiative.” A good networker with the right mindset and techniques who takes the initiative to take the right action can find success in any networking group.

Technically this is true.

No matter what group you are in, if you take initiative to make connections, provide value, develop relationships, and get introductions, you will eventually be successful.

Anyone you meet can connect you to people who can connect you to people who can give you anything might possibly want.

Likewise, you could put Max Verstappen in my Honda Civic out on a Formula One racetrack, and he’ll get all the way from the starting grid to the finish line.

But he’ll get there a lot faster in an F1 race car.

It’s the pilot AND the plane.

If you don’t have self initiative, if you aren’t a go giver, if you don’t know how to ask for what you want, it doesn’t matter what room I put you in. You won’t have success.

However, if you do have self initiative, if you are a go giver, if you do know how to ask for what you want, then you will do better in a great, well structured networking space full of the right people

Can you be successful in any networking group? Yes.

But with tens of thousands of options of spaces to network in, why would you spend your time in a group that does not have the people you need to meet?

Why would you spend your time in a group that isn’t structured well?

This is why I created JV Connect

I created JV Connect because I want to put the best pilots in the best planes. 

I want to see what happens when we put abundance minded, successful, effective people into a space that maximizes connections, facilitates relationships, and does everything possible to make awesome things happen.

And then, I want to create a space where you don’t have to be Pete “Maverick” Mitchell or Charles Leclerc to be successful because the event is structured to guide you to do the right things in the right way.

JV Connect is December 12th and 13th, and you can get into the cockpit here.

The Pitch Pretending to Be Training

Michael WhitehouseLeave a comment

Recently, I attended a webinar and I learned something very important.

However, I didn’t learn it from the content of the webinar because the webinar was thoroughly devoid of educational content.

I learned it from what happened next.

The fellow teaching the webinar I knew to be a smart guy. I had gotten some good advice from him, and then saw him speak. In that talk, he shared a concept that seemed interesting. He invited us to attend his webinar the next week to learn more about it.

Continue reading “The Pitch Pretending to Be Training” →

Networking Asks like a NINJA

Michael WhitehouseLeave a comment

Networking is about giving, but part of that is help others to give to you. That is what the networking ask is all about.

In this article, I discussed the 5 levels of NINJA Networking. Now, let’s look at how these five levels respond to the question “Whom can I introduce you to?”

“Give without expectation. Receive without resistance.” This is one of the axioms I follow in life and business. A good networker wants to help those that they meet, so they will ask how they can help. Your answer is crucial to allowing them to give to you.

All five of these levels may apply to any networker. Even the karate master may still employ the simple straight punch he learned in his first day of training. The point is to expand your mindset and range of thinking as you move to higher levels of NINJA Networking.

To get some example responses, I’m going to share how a lead generation guy might answer the question at the five different levels.

Summary of Five Levels of Networking Asks

Level 1: Networking – Prospecting in the Room
“I’m just looking to get out and meet anyone I can. How are you generating leads for your business?”

Level 2: Introduction – Prospecting through the Room
“I’m looking to meet entrepreneurs who need more leads for their business.”

Level 3: Non-Competitive Partners – Growing Your Network
“I’m looking to meet people who have audiences of entrepreneurs who need more leads.”

Level 4: Joint Ventures – Collaboration
“I’m looking for opportunities to partner such as summit stages, podcasts, and other lead gen folks I can do a joint webinar with.”

Level 5: Affiliates – Systematized Partnership
“I’m looking for people with an audience of entrepreneurs for webinar swaps, to promote my launch, and whose launch I can promote.”

Level 1: Networking – Prospecting in the Room

“I’m just looking to get out and meet anyone I can. How are you generating leads for your business?”

At Level 1, a networker is looking for prospects among the people they are speaking to directly. They may not actually have a clear idea of who their avatar is, or they don’t know how to ask for it.

There is nothing wrong with doing this as long as it does not come across as pushy or salesy.

I call this network prospecting, and I made great use of it back when I published local magazines. 75% of my business came from this kind of prospecting.

This can be very effective for networkers who do not know how to ask for introductions, and it is also an excellent strategy for someone who finds themselves in a room with inexperienced networkers who do not know how to give introductions.

It is very difficult to reciprocate at this level. They may ask you what you do, but they are simply comparing it to their own needs. It is unlikely they need to buy what you are selling, and that would be the end of it at this level.

The limitation of this strategy is that if you are focused on the immediate sale, then you will not get invited to the higher impact networking communities. This kind of thing is not done in my exclusive TEN Group that I run for elite networkers, and I would not invite someone who approached me this way to that group.

The danger is that you don’t know what you don’t know. If you approached me at level 1, we’d have a pleasant conversation. I might even become a client, but I wouldn’t event mention the TEN Group. You might think it was a highly successful encounter because you didn’t realize the opportunity you missed.

The great thing about this level is that it’s really easy to measure quantitatively. You can track what leads came from what events, and double down in those communities. The tradeoff is that you don’t know what you are missing out on in terms of building your network through the people you are meeting.

Level 2: Introduction – Prospecting through the Room

“I’m looking to meet entrepreneurs who need more leads for their business.”

At this level, we’re not trying to sell the person in front of us. We are seeking to connect with their network.

This is the level that most groups like BNI, AmSpirit, and Success Champions Network operate at. You are aiming to sell through the room rather than to the room. This works because the people in the room are non-competitive partners with whom you are building a relationship.

BNI has a concept of The Referral Confidence Curve. It describes the way that you grow in trust and credibility with your networking partners as you build your relationship.

At this level, it is important to understand who your ideal customer is so that you can educate your networking partners on how they can help you.

This tends to work better in structured networking groups than open networking groups. If I meet you for the first time at a networking event, and you’re asking me to refer clients to you, it is unlikely I’ll do so. I don’t know you. I don’t trust you. And as a super connector, I know a dozen other people who do what you do whom I know better.

This works fantastically well in those structured groups because you do get to know people over time.

This level of networking is also quite quantitatively trackable. The introductions go directly to prospects. You can track how many introductions you get to good prospects and which of those become sales. BNI has a very robust tracking system to determine the value of membership.

Like Level 1, however, you are still not gaining access to the real font of value that is your network’s network.

Level 3: Non-Competitive Partners – Growing Your Network

“I’m looking to meet people who have audiences of entrepreneurs who need more leads.”

This is a most powerful form of networking ask you can make without needing additional infrastructure and capability in your business.

You are no longer asking to meet customers. You are asking for introductions you can build mutually beneficial relationships with.

While it is very difficult to introduce someone I just met to a prospect, I’ll make introductions to non-competitive partners all day long. People aren’t so keen to get an introduction to someone who’s going to sell them, so I’m very cautious about that. People love to meet potential partners, so I can do this much more freely.

This is the level where you can shift from arithmetic growth to geometric growth. At Level 1, each contact is worth less than one. At level 2, each contact may be worth one to two. At this level, one contact can lead to an infinite series of connections as one introductions leads to another ad infinitem.

A Level 3 NINJA Networker can no longer quantitively measure our networking effectiveness. Measurements must now be qualitative.

When I operated at Level 1, I determined that one local Chamber of Commerce generated more sales for me than the others, so I made sure go to their events.

I was operating at Level 3 when I attended a high impact virtual networking event in April of 2021. While I came out of the event with 45 meetings on my calendar, they were not sales calls. They were connections to a higher level of entrepreneur who have given me incredible knowledge, access, and resources. By October, I could still not trace a single dollar of revenue to this event, but as I write this today, a year later, I can credit 80% of my current revenues to connections and concepts that came from that event.

Had I measured it quantitatively, I would have called it a failure, and that would be incorrect.

At Level 3, the value of an event or a connection may come weeks or months later. It may come from an introduction to an introduction to an introduction.

Moving from Level 2 to Level 3 is a mindset shift, and doing so will shift your business and your networking.

Level 4: Joint Ventures – Collaboration

“I’m looking for opportunities to partner such as summit stages, podcasts, and other lead gen folks I can do a joint webinar with.”

Referral partners are good. Joint venture partners are better.

At Level 4, you are shifting your thinking from individual referrals to audiences.

A referral partner is someone who keeps you in mind and refers people to you as the opportunity presents itself. In some cases, such as a Realtor referring clients to a mortgage originator, there is a natural flow of clients. The source of clients is the existing flow of connections that the referring partner has.

A joint venture is about creating a new stream of connections.

There are dozens of ways a joint venture can be created, and you may be participating in joint ventures without realizing it. An interview podcast is a joint venture. Guest provides content. Host provides audience. Guest promotes to their community to grow host’s audience.

Joint webinars, summits, collaborative books, social media joint live broadcasts, guest appearances in a program. These are just a few ways you might joint venture with someone.

Rather than a referral partner introducing you to individual people, you are seeking to connect with audiences. At this level, the introductions you want are not to people you could sell to, or even to people who can refer you people to sell to. You want contacts who can introduce you to entire audiences of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people.

Level 5: Affiliates – Systematized Partnership

“I’m looking for people with an audience of entrepreneurs for webinar swaps, to promote my launch, and whose launch I can promote.”

Most joint ventures you encounter are one offs, and each partnership is separately negotiated.

At Level 5, a NINJA Networker has turnkey joint ventures. There’s no negotiated needed because it’s off the shelf.

Some simple examples of this are speaker summits and podcasts. In these, you don’t normally negotiate details. There is some process to get on the summit or podcast. The speaker is told what is expected, and they will either find it acceptable or not participate.

More complex examples of this are launches, workshops, and webinar swaps. These tend to require more infrastructure on the part of the one being promoted, but because of this infrastructure, a promoter can sign up and participate.

For example, if you would like to promote a launch, you sign up. They send you swipe copy, instructions on what to do when, and you do it. Then you get paid for sales you create through your list.

When two Level 5 NINJA Networkers meet, the only complexity is figuring out how to match up marketing calendars. Beyond that, it’s just a matter of “my people will send the materials to your people,” and they’re off to the races.

Five Levels of Networking Asks

Just like the black belt martial artist doesn’t forget the basic strikes and blocks when they achieve the highest level, a NINJA networker will always employ tactics from all levels. Even an entrepreneur with a robust launch process and high converting webinar will still happily someone up if the need shows up in conversation.

The key difference is how you approach people you meet. Are you sizing them up to be a client? Are you seeking a referral partner? Do you want a promotional partner?

How you engage in the conversation will lead to different results and will make different impressions.

Michael Whitehouse is The Guy Who Knows a Guy. He has developed the NINJA Networking framework over more than a decade of networking from the lowest levels to the highest.

Do the five levels of NINJA Networking intrigue you? Get on a call with Michael. Click here to schedule a call.

Five Steps to Learn the Secrets of NINJA Networking

Michael Whitehouse1 Comment

Networking, Introductions, Non-Competitive Partners, Joint Ventures, Affiliates.

Those are the five stages of Ninja Networking mastery, and they just so happen to spell NINJA.

Actually, it’s not a coincidence. Realizing that “networking” and “ninja” started with the same letter, I decided to see if I could make a cool ninja networking acronym. And I did.

Then, I realized that it not only spelled a super cool word, but that it did it in the order that most people follow on this journey.

It was meant to be!

In this article, I’m going to do a quick overview of the five stages, and in future articles I’ll dive deeper into each area. If you find this interesting, and would like to come on a journey with me to learn the secrets of the Ninja Networker, I encourage you to join my Ninja Networking program.

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