“Network Your Way Out of the Recession”, says James Mack

Monday night we had the privilege of interviewing Award Winning (an amazing 42 times) Barber/Stylist and ‘Legend’ James Mack. If the clients aren’t in your salon, sometimes you have to go out ‘where the fish are biting’! One of the things he shared was taking time – down time (when you don’t have any clients scheduled) and attending ‘Networking Events’. Many of his clients (and the clients he wants) are ‘professionals’ – doctors, lawyers, business owners, managers and even radio personalities. So instead of sitting around complaining he seeks out opportunities to go where they ‘hang out’. Some of his tips are:

1) How to find out about events? Ask your existing clients, by reading the newspaper (in the events section), or online – most TV station websites have a “What’s going on in town” section. Churches often have a variety of events, too.
2) Schedule in advance to attend or keep a few meetings that you know about, so if you get a last minute cancellation or don’t have someone scheduled you can pick up and go. (When I can make it, I go to Jim Roman and Associates, Business Leaders Lunch www.TeamRoman.com on Wednesday’s at 11:30 here in Richmond, VA)
3) Dress like a professional – like the people you’ll be meeting and want to attract! Look like you would be able to enhance their image!
4) Compliment them and let them know that you understand how important their image is for their business
5) Bring plenty of business cards or VIP discount cards
6) One of the things that’s most important to ‘professionals’ is – you guessed it – ‘Their TIME’! Get your act together (if it’s not already) so you can honestly say “I will get you in and out”. That will get their attention!

Try these suggestions and watch your chair fill up. Keep in mind that ‘Networking’ is about building a relationship – you getting to know them, them getting to know you (and in that order) and you may not walk away from one event with a boatload of clients (but, then again, you might :)), so keep going back – keep planting your seeds!

James Mack will give classes at the Natural Hair Show in Baltimore, MD; Bronner Bros. in Baltimore, MD; IHS Show in Secaucus, NJ and the Premiere in Orlando, FL. For infomation on getting a copy of the whole interview, please email me at miki@BeautySuperStars.com


Keep reaching for the 'Stars,

Miki Wright, Salon Business Coach
http://www.beautysuperstars.com/
"When Beauty is your Business..."

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