Overview

On this episode of Build Your Network, you’ll hear top networking tips from two high-profile guests – Steve Sims, and Elena Cardone.

Topics Discussed:

• Tip 1: Steve Sims
  • Author of BlueFish and the Art of Making Things Happen
  • Tell us a story about a time a connection opened a door for you.
    • He had a client who wanted an exclusive dinner party in Tuscany.
    • They took over the Academia and had a dinner party at the feet of Michael Angelo’s David.
    • He wanted to get Andrea Bocelli to sing at the party and when he got ahold of his agent, things weren’t going anywhere.
    • He called up the Vatican and asked for a contact with Andrea Bocelli, she did, and he was able to book him.
  • Talk about creating win-win situations and strategies that help.
    • People are concentrating on why it shouldn’t happen, rather than why it should.
      • Position your ask.
      • Tell people why you want something from them, but then quickly tell them why it benefits them.
      • Get people engaged in the conversation.
    • Do you have any tips for getting past the gatekeepers?
      • Having a conversation with a gatekeeper is pointless.
      • First, you need to research and be focused on who you want to contact.
        • Get in the same room with this person.
        • Charities will work harder for you to make an introduction.
      • Get people talking about what they love.
    • Who do you think is the most interesting or influential person you’ve been able to meet?
      • Interesting: John Paul DeJoria
        • He’s a top entrepreneur you should look into further.
      • Influential: Elon Musk
        • He’s a doer, he’s not a who-er.
      • What’s the first place you should start to get into better rooms.
        • Be the person that someone wants to meet.
        • Start going to networking events, do the little ones first.
        • Question and challenge people.
        • Then get into a better room of entrepreneurs, you’re going to have to pay.
      • Tip 2: Elena Cardone
        • Host of the G&E Show.
        • How did building relationships help you in your acting career?
          • She was lucky early on and was able to get the top agencies and managers early on.
          • Relationships are very important, it’s a small world and everyone talks.
        • Tell us about a time when a connection led to a big moment of success.
          • She was friends with a casting director and after an audition.
          • She called the casting director and got a role in the film, and it led to Maxim Magazine.
          • You help your friends, and your friends help you.
        • How do you deal with people who have a hidden agenda?
          • She doesn’t mind hidden agendas.
          • If someone comes to Elena to get to Grant, she thinks that’s smart.

Tweetable Quotes:

• Getting your foot in the door is easy, getting people engaged is the secret sauce.
• I have bumped into hundreds of people through careful planning.
• People want dependability, not drama.

Resources Mentioned:

Buildyournetwork.co – Podcast website

BYN.media/fb – Facebook Group