Modern business is increasingly about your ability to create relationships, build networks and establish a Circle of Influence.
This week I want to show you how to build and leverage your circle of influence to help you rapidly grow your business.
To begin, let’s define what Circle of Influence really is.
We understand that the majority of people select their service providers based on personal and professional referrals and this is supported by Hubspot’s research.
When you truly understand how people make buying decisions you can become very strategic about where you invest your time, energy and resources to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Marketing is no longer about the person with the loudest drum. It’s about the person with the clearest message.
To construct your own powerful Circles of Influence, you need people who know or have the following three things…
- Have direct or indirect access to your target market
- Know exactly what you are famous for (people you specialise in helping and results you produce)
- Be willing to actively spread the word to people about the work you do
It is critical that you are building relationships with people who are in or connected to your target market.
Many entrepreneurs waste enormous amounts of time in networks, groups and conversations with people who simply cannot provide them with a link to their target market.
Or worse, the entrepreneur is unsure who their ideal client is so therefore never gains any real traction or momentum.
If you want to CONNECT with other small business owners, don’t miss #BeTheDifference2107, the #1 Connection event for Small Business Growth, full details HERE.
A functioning circle of influence also requires you to be very clear about your area of expertise and more importantly, that everyone in your circle knows what you are famous for.
Referrals, recommendations and introductions do not happen if people are unclear about what you can specifically do.
If there is a lack of certainty about your field of expertise, it creates an air of confusion that greatly diminishes the likelihood of people talking about you to others.
A circle of influence is about having fans; people who will speak proudly about their affiliation or experiences with you and therefore be active, rather than passive, admirers.
If you want to up the ante and move from having a group of clients, friends and associates who appreciate what you do, and instead have a circle of influence who feel compelled to rave about you to others, then you will need to ensure you have 3 key components in place.
- Be talented at what you do and have proof of the results you create
- Build relationships and connections with the ‘right people’
- Make yourself easily shareable.
The bottom line is if you want to create a Circle, you need to be good at what you do.
It’s not enough to be OK or adequate. At this level you may never upset anyone and generally meet the basic expectations of your market, but you are also unlikely to ever create the deep seeded desire to share the experience.
Your goal must be to go from being good at what you do to being GREAT!
If you’re already GREAT at what you do, that’s awesome. Now you need to be connected to the RIGHT people.
These are the people who are operating within the sphere we want to be moving.
This may be through a connection with another service provider, by joining an association, linking in with specific networks, or it could mean attending selected events, functions or programs.
#BeTheDifference2107 is the #1 Connection event for Small Business Growth, and if you’re quick, you can grab one of the last EARLY BIRD tickets HERE.
People used to say, “It’s not about what you know, but who you know that matters.”
Today what matters more is who knows you?
If your goal is to develop and grow a strong circle of influential people around you, then you must ensure people can easily spread the word about you.
If you do not make yourself easy to share, few people will go to the trouble of trying to push your message.
But if you develop good viral tools which add substantial value to the recipient, then your circle will gladly and willingly share the ideas and insights you have with other people just like them.
A Circle of Influence is not something you stumble into or create by good fortune.
It is a strategic planned process, that when properly designed, will provide a solid platform for the ongoing sharing and promotion of what you do, to highly targeted prospects who will have a need for what you do and the means to pay for it.
If you have not yet started to build your Circle, I suggest you invest some time into its construction.
If you have assembled a circle, then look at what you need to do to enhance and improve its performance.
#BeTheDifference2107 is being held in Melbourne on Thursday 19th of October and is your chance to actively connect with hundreds of Small Business owners like you who are keen to NETWORK and COLLABORATE with other savvy entrepreneurs.
You can find full details and secure your seat HERE.
Dedicated to your success,
Paul