Networking with other entreprenuers
What kind of entreprenuer are you?
Are you afraid to talk to other entreprenuers? Are you afraid they’ll steal you ideas? Do you want to get as much information as you can from them without sharing any real information on your own?
I just had a chance to meet a young entreprenuer named Dan Marques. Dan is already a serial entreprenuer and is working on several businesses. Probably my favorite is ProfileAds. ProfileAds allows you to put ads in your instant messenger program. Then you get paid a little bit every time one of your buddies clicks on the ad in your profile. Its a pretty cool service. If you want to reach 80,000 young people primary ages 18-25 then you should check out Profile Ads for advertising opportunities.
Dan also wrote on his blog recently about the power of networking with other entreprenuers. I totally agree. In the past two months I’ve met Dan, Matt Geri, Jonathan Wold, and Paulie Sabol.
I totally dig sitting down and brainstorming with other entreprenuers. I like to bounce ideas off them and I like to hear what they are up to. It might help me figure out ways in which I can grow my business. Maybe I can use similar marketing ideas. Maybe I can joint venture with them. You never know what is going to happen.
Three years ago I met my business partner Jack Spirko. He was visiting Rhode Island on business and I called in sick to work to drive down to Rhode Island and have breakfast with Jack. Since then we’ve made thousands of dollars working together and we’re launching a new project now that promises to be our best business ever!
When I was younger I had some business plans stolen from me. A friend was supposed to be my partner but he decided not to do the business. 6 months later I found out he found his own investors and launched the business himself. Within 6 more months he was out of business.
You see just because someone steals your idea it doesn’t mean that they are going to be better at it than you! You may have specialized skills or expertise in this area. It makes your business more likely to succeed than someone else who steals your idea.
So now when I got meet other entreprenuers I don’t mind sharing what I’m working on. I don’t go crazy. I don’t hand them my business plan, however I don’t mind talking about the projects I’m working on. Its a two way street and by being willing to share and trust someone I build better relationships and develop potential new joint venture partners!
What do you think? Am I crazy?
What ways do you find entreprenuers to link with? Leave me a comment and let me know!
- Ben Fitts
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Oh my goodness. I can’t believe that you used the “N” word! What were you thinking??
OK, now that we are over that we can move on.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people get turned off by the word “Networking” when it comes to business. The reality of the matter is that networking is how business gets done in every aspect of the financial world. The old saying of “It’s not what you know but WHO you know” rings true in the financial arena no matter what. You do not have to be the smartest cookie on the block if you are well connected and reasonably well liked.
I am involved in a business at this time that is proud to call what it does “Network Marketing”. It’s funny to me and most of the people that know me that I would be involved in this since I was one of those people that always ran from this type of business in the past, but I guess I have finally come to the point in my life that it is hard to pass up a great opportunity when it is so obvious. If you have not done so yet, you are invited to check it out. The web site link above is a valid one and will let you see for yourself. You would expect me to say nothing but good about it, but you be the judge.
As for being afraid to talk to other entrepreneurs, not on your life. I like to do so for several reasons. First of all, they may well have something going that could be of benefit to me. If I do not speak to them, I could miss a wonderful opportunity. Secondly, I go back to the networking aspect of business and ask them to return the favor of looking at what I have to offer. That way we both walk away with more information at the very least.
As for how to find other entrepreneurs, it really doesn’t seem to be all that hard. Just ask a handful of people if they are interested in making some extra money at home and either one of them already is or they know someone that is and they will usually be willing to introduce you to them.
Piece of cake, really
Hi Frank and Grey,
Welcome to the site!
Grey, you’re right. PPL is a solid company with an excellent reputation. Good Luck building your business!
- Ben
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