Open Secret: Word of Mouth / Networking in the Wild

See our previous Growth Secrets Installments:
Part 1: Mastering Your Millionaire Mindset
Part 2: Killer Customer Acquistion
Part 3: Pump up Your Social Media

Part 4 of Growth Secrets: How to Make Friends and Win Clients

“Your Net Worth is your Network” is a phrase that is often said around business circles.  Another way to say this is “It’s not what you know, but WHO you know”.  It’s important to remember that we are humans and we thrive on relationships in order to survive and feel complete.

We recommend taking some time out of your busy week to reconnect with old acquaintances.  This can be good both for your wallet and your soul.  You’d be surprised who may have a need for your new services or who is now in a position to throw  you a bone.  And in the worst case scenario of none of your old friends being multi-millionaire leads, at least you get the rush of endorphins and feel good chemicals that comes when you talk with people who are important to you.

Some old friends may be difficult to find.  Social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram created new ways for old friends to find each other.  Try logging on and looking up some of your old classmates.  You never know know who might be doing what these days.  Life has a way of taking us all over.  Your old rival from high school may end up being one of your biggest business partners later in life.

Mutual Profit

Mutual financial profit has a way of making friends out of most bitter enemies people.  If there’s somebody in your network that you think you can save money, they might be more inclined to drop their current provider if they already know you AND you can save them money.  You can also save them money by providing better VALUE.  This way you don’t have to drop your price point at all either.

One great way to expand your network is to attend more conferences.  Even if some of these conferences are just digital, people are more likely to do business with a face they recognize than a face they don’t.  We recommend getting out and interacting with people in the real world especially.  In fact, it is the method of business that we prefer, as you are better easier to display your body language, tone, and magnetic personality.

Local conferences serve as a great place to meet some of the most important people in your your area’s industries.  As a Notary or Signing Agent, you have the flexibility to attend all sorts of conferences in order to expand your network and customer base.  You can potentially benefit from attending Real Estate Conferences, Law Conferences, City Planning, and even Funeral Service Conventions (Estates often require a Notarization for transfer).

You can also attend the Loan Signing System Conference that takes place every August in San Diego that is put on by Mark Wills in order to gain tips from other notaries. Notary2Notary also hosts their own conferences.   The NNA hosts their own Notary Conference as well.  While meeting clients at either of these places might be difficult and landing them might be even more difficult due to the mass amount of loan signers present, it is still an excellent opportunity to get out and learn from others in the industry.  Find people who like to grow together rather than people who see other agents as their competition.

Each moment is an opportunity and a compromise.  Make the most of your time spent at conferences and you will be rewarded.

Competing in the Business

All that said above, business always has a competitive nature and those who are rewarded the most are those who do the little things consistently.  So reach out to that old friend and catch up, stop by the local Real Estate Conference and grab some free food, let loose and get out to public events where you can meet the people that matter to your business.

The person you are most consistently competing with in business is yourself.  If you are a notary trying to currently get 4 sessions booked a week consistently, you need to be speaking to at least 4 new people who need notarized documents weekly.  If you were previously only reaching out to 1 a week or 4 per month, then you are outcompeting your former self and taking a step in the right direction.

It takes repetitive exposure for people to get used to the idea of you and your services.  They want to see consistency.  They actually want to see you again and again.  Making sure you are seen in as many places as possible will implant yourself in people’s subconscious.

If you can, we recommend taking meetings in person or at least on video so that you can at least establish face to face contact and learn valuable interest level and body language information.