I was having dim sum the other day with Debbie Moysychyn a consummate networker. Debbie shared one of her networking truism that resonated with me. She said, “It is Not About Who You Know. It’s Who Knows You.”
I let that sink in while I was having a bite of Har Gau. The first thought that popped into my mind was the expression reinforced the importance of networking with people in person or face to face.
Although I believe that today your first impression is largely created by your Google presence, for people to truly know you they have to have met you live. It’s the same thing with music. You create the strongest relationship with the music by going to concerts.
You definitely need to own Google by using social media but you also need a strong personal networking plan so you are meeting lots of people. Face time and not Facebook leads to relationships. Linkedin doesn’t talk and walk and have accents to react to like real people do.
The optimum payoff of my blogging efforts is when I meet somebody in person that shares that they have read my blog. That is a lock and load of social and personal networking,
Although I am not certain, most likely that occurs because I post my blogs on Linkedin and my Linkedin groups. I also attend live real time networking meetings that are offshoots of many of those Linkedin groups. We swim in the same social circles prior to meeting.
So how do you make sure that other people know who you are?
In many ways, as we glacially emerge from the great recession word of mouth spreads quickly especially if you have the right reputation. The definition of that I will leave up to the reader to define. Word of mouth can surprisingly break through the clutter of our over communicated society. If you are doing it right you will encounter people who say, “I’ve heard of you.”
The expression “It’s not who you know but who knows you” also implies that you want people of influence and power knowing who you are. The description of who people of influence means in the New Normal I will also leave up to you.
I know many more CEO’s, CMO’s and influential people than I ever knew prior to the great recession. Why? I never had their power, their money or their influence. I met many of them when they were in transition. Others I met when they were working but could see the train of transition coming down their track. I didn’t have their influence but I had a bigger network. You see Debbie was right. It is not about you who know. It is all about who knows you.
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Great post Hank. I also go by “it’s who knows you that counts.” I can’t tell you the number of times I meet people who know of me from my online presence or who have been introduced to my reputation. It’s very satisfying to know the efforts we make to get the word out is falling on interested ears. Since they ARE talking about you, it is equally important to lead the discussion with a brand that resonates. I try my utmost to push out quality information and experiences, so that anyone wishing to reach out to me, will be comfortable in doing so.
I believe this is a good article however both play into affect. Having people come to you because they have heard of you is a great asset and networkable tool, however there can always be something said about who you know, which can inevitably be your greates asset especially in helping to increase you exposure in gaing more assets whom in turn know you. So there is something to be said regarding both and if mediated correctly can allow you to maximize the benefits of both.
Thanks for the Article,
Nader J. Ajlouny
I believe this is a good article however both play into affect. Having people come to you because they have heard of you is a great asset and networkable tool, however there can always be something said about who you know, which can inevitably be your greatest asset especially in helping to increase your exposure in gaining more assets, which in turn will lead to more who know you. So there is something to be said regarding both and if managed correctly they can allow you to maximize the benefits of both.
Thanks for the Article,
Nader J. Ajlouny
This is a good article , thank you very much
I think this article will encourage someone to make a good thing – good relation for better work and life
Helping people to do the right thing is wonderful thing to keep the world more beautiful