With 5 Unusual Strategies To A Powerful Network
By: Taylor Shaw
Tags: Management, Networking, Sales, Business, Selling

The 5 unusual ways to a powerful network

1. Pay for VIP access

It took us a long time to admit it, but no matter how clever your strategy for building a powerful network, if you can afford it, there’s probably no quicker way to get VIPs than simply paying for them.

Why? For example, if you buy a VIP ticket to an event, you’ve paid real money and all the other VIP guests know it. So obviously you don’t have money problems and you are probably doing some things right as an entrepreneur. For that reason alone, many people will be happy to talk to you — including VIPs.

This perception from others puts you in a fantastic position and the barrier to approaching other VIP guests drops. After all, you are all part of a closed circle.

At almost every conference or event, there are regular tickets, business tickets and usually VIP tickets. Yes these tickets are overpriced and yes the buffet you get for them is certainly not worth 500 euros more than the normal ticket. But that is not the point. If you want to meet VIPs, you have to be where they are.

You will find that these guests rarely listen to the lectures or speeches, but mainly spend time together in the VIP area and get to know each other. With a VIP ticket, you can easily join them.

A 2,500 dollar ticket quickly turns into a new cooperation or an order. Above all, you gain access to completely new people and expand your network.

2. Organise your own event

If you are not yet able to raise the 2,500 or more dollars for the ticket, this option might be interesting. The host (or hostess) of an event automatically enjoys a high social status and prestige. After all, you are the “connector” who brought all the VIPs together.

All you need is an event location (doesn’t even have to be big) and a bit of time. Write to the different VIPs and tell them that you are organising a meeting.

You can invite the first VIPs for free and after you have the first guests you can even take a fee if you want. There are various groups and masterminds that cost 1,000, 2,000 or even 25,000 dollars per person per day.

Why do the VIPs come there and pay the money? Because they know that only people who are at least already financially successful participate there and that the investment will be paid back several times over.

3. Provide added value without being asked

Successful people value two things: their time and their money. If you do the thinking for them and add value that gives them either more time or more money, you are a valuable resource. If not, you’re a waste of time (and therefore a waste of money). Sounds harsh, but it’s true.

Successful people already have a large network full of successful people who support them and add value. So you need to give them a good reason why they should make time for you.

If every conversation with you does not raise new questions but brings solutions, insights and results, VIPs will automatically be attracted to you (and thus automatically help you).

So add value without being asked. Take a good look at your expertise/skills and analyse what the VIP should improve in order to get more time or money. Write or send him concrete ideas/suggestions and the exact benefits.

You are totally uncreative and have no ideas at all? Then suggest how you could save him time by taking some of his work off his hands.

But don’t write messages like: “Hi VIP, I’ll do anything you want. Just tell me something.” That’s annoying, you have to think.

You should suggest concretely what you will do, how long it will take and what results he can expect as a result. Bake the warm biscuits, so to speak, and put them right in front of the VIP. It’s hard to say no in this situation.

4. Market the VIP

Most VIPs are entrepreneurs and have a product, service, company, book or message they would like to share with the public.

If you help the VIP get more attention, they will be happy to give you their time. After all, it’s not about you and what you want, you’re investing work and time to make his brand and business better known.

Ways to market the VIP: Make rankings and feature him there, interview the person, make videos and feature him in a good light or share his news.

You will find that many VIPs are happy to spend time with you if you help them grow their platform and reach.

5. Speak at events

Admittedly, depending on the event, this strategy requires you to have a little expert status yourself or at least some references already.

But after your first presentation, others will quickly follow. Even if you give free talks, you automatically get VIP status yourself. The person who stands on stage and speaks to the masses exudes a certain authority.

After your talk, several things usually happen: either you will be approached by VIPs yourself or you can very easily approach them afterwards and talk to them. After all, you are no longer a nobody, but the one who has just entertained the whole room.