My pile is bigger than your pile!

The hot steamy pile that could be worth tens of thousands!

I was cleaning out my desk, and was shocked to find literally hundreds of business cards rubber banded together with little notes attached telling what event they were from.  I am so not proud to admit that I have kept these for so long with absolutely no idea what I was ever going to do with them.  Until today!

Five warm calls a day keeps the cold calls away!

No…these cards are not meant to be kindling, nor a patchwork quilt, however…leads, yes warm fuzzy leads!  You see, I decided to take five cards a day, go online, pull up the website of each contact and learn a little something about the person on the card.  Then, I took it one step further…I pulled them up on Facebook to see what they were posting, and who they were engaging with.  Are you with me???

Glorified Stalker…or  a real smooth talker?

I know, kinda makes me look like a stalker, but really…I am just in preparation mode to make real connections. This is what I call investing time in a potential collaboration, or client. After I had finished my research, I was excited to call each of these people and have a conversation with them.  I discarded all of the cards of people that I had no interest in contacting…not everyone is my ideal client, nor do I want to connect with everyone.

Do you realize how easy it is to call someone and say “Hey Jane, I met you at Manny’s event…you probably don’t remember me…I’m the one that fell off the chair on stage…yeah, that one” I was going through my notes from that event and had you highlighted as someone that I wanted to get to know better, do you have a minute?”  If they don’t have a minute, I’m sure they will be happy to find time to re-connect with you…after all, they think they know you.  Make sure you make an appointment before you hang up the call!

A blast from the past could make a difference in your future!

Genuine, yes…if you do your research, and find that this person is someone you would like to connect with, by all means it is of complete integrity to use that “I know you” line…and make that call.  You can turn it into a sales call if that’s your intent, or, you can simply cultivate a relationship that may turn into a Joint Venture partnership, or referral.

Do you realize how much your piles of cards could be worth?  Get creative in generating leads, connecting with the right people, forming the right partnerships, and even finding the right clients.   I encourage you to play with your piles…I bet one in five are bound to become a client, connection or collaboration!  And to think…these leads were literally under your nose.

I would love to know you better, please allow me that honor by adding your comments below.