Weaving a Web with a Network

Last week I received an email from from and Eric Kallin who had picked up my card in the Sunflower Market in Broad Ripple, Indiana. He invited me to attend a meeting on the Indiana Business Network. I wasn't able to attend but, received a second invitation this week. Since I feel open to a cycle of change, and I have deep respect for persistence, I decided to attend this weeks meeting. IBN meets at MCL Cafeteria at 2121 E. Broad Ripple Avenue for breakfast at 9:30 on Tuesdays.

What an ideal marketing opportunity to meet such a diverse group of business professionals for breakfast. There were CEO's, Insurance Agents, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, and Expert in Sales Strategist, a Director of a Dance Academy, a Real Estate Broker, the Owner of a Children's Store, a General Contractor, a Bank Relationship Manager, a Financial Services Professional, the Director of the National Association f the Self Employed, and a Resource Planner. Each person presented their product or services and others gave them feedback and networking assistance.

Number One: Think of your market globally.

I was uniquely surprised to discover that about a third of the individuals that attended did not include an email address on their business cards. I reflected back to a time when it was a necessity to advertise in the Yellow Page. Twenty-five years ago, I was paying over $750 a month for area phone books. I wondered how much more could be accomplish on the web with that figure today. If I hadn't had and email address, I would not have been so readily available to receive Eric's invitation.

Number Two: Think Speed.

The second focus point was the number of businesses that do not have website. Many business thiink that have a web site, but what they have ppurchased is the equalivant to a phone book listing. I discussed that many Mom and Pop businesses are slow to do business on the web. I know of several businesses in the local area that are now competing with the world wide web. Their net competetor are sometimes 1/2 to 2/3 the price. Many Mom and Pop's have been taken over by a second or third generation who are hiring lower paid help. When working for a lower wage there is no incentive to make the owner's business a success. There is also no incentive for a customer who once paid for extra service. If you don't have computer-ease, consult a web designer. (I can refer one.) It is a small investment with a big gain. Customers are not going to spend hours on the phone to procure the same info they can get on the net in seconds.

Number Three: Work Smarter Not Harder.

Some of us remember the jingle "Let you fingers do the walking..." It became much easier to make a few calls than "walk" all over town. Then people drove. Now the driver is the mouse. Make sure that that you web page is working for you. I have seen many attractive web pages, but they are not designed with search engines in mind. You need to have key words that the consumer can find you.

Number Four: Link.

There is power in numbers, that's why people network. There is also power with linking to other businesses on the web. Add other's links to you site and grow. Remember, it has become a global market and if you are on the seventh page of the brower, you are no longer in business.

Last, but not least:

When you least expect it, ther may be a Spy-der in your midst....