Will Broome CEO Londonlaunch

Ensuring you build the best networks...

• Who the hell am I?

• What is Londonlaunch?

• Networking

• The Social Networks

• Tips on effective networking

• Why network in the first place?

• 10 useful contacts to get you started

• Who am I?

1994

• But who do I think I am now?

2011

• Sales & PR Background

• Founded Londonlaunch in 2000

• President of ISES UK (2008/09)

• “The man who knows everyone on

the London scene”. (Apparently and

allegedly!)

Can I attribute any of this to networking?

“There are those who think they can and those who think they can‟t , both are

usually right.“ – Henry Ford

First you start with a vision of where you‟re going – even if you don‟t know how

you‟re getting there

The only way you‟re ever going to succeed is with the help of other people

The greatest idea in the world is 1% - making it happen is 99% - you‟re going

to need help

Although people are quick to say how much tougher things are these days, the

rise of the social networks has oiled the wheels somewhat.

It‟s harder to raise money but easier to get free (quality) advice

So what is Londonlaunch?

It started as a directory for PRs and now it‟s a community for the events

sector

Londonlaunch.com – interactive online resource

Londonlaunch:Learn – networking events and educational downloads

Londonlaunch:live – hi-tech exhibition housing our LiveTech conference.

Who‟s in the room?

Londonlaunch:games – our exclusive Olympic partnership with Inside the

Games and Team 2012. Live networking events are also at the heart of this

initiative.

The irony of the popularity of our old fashioned networking events is not lost

on me! Although we are incorporating an amazing new App to facilitate this –

it‟s the old school event leading the technology rather than the other way

round...

Networking Vs NOT-working!

Facilitated Networking

•Totally new hi-tech, interactive show concept

• „LiveTech‟ Conference with Tiffany St. James

• „Who‟s In the Room‟ app

• The Diamond Reception with Boris Johnson

• Live365

•Networks and networking are thriving - and the recession has accentuated this phenomenon •From business groups to facebook, we’re all doing it •We’re all asking hundreds or even thousands of people for things •We’re creating user generated content (reviews etc) which is far more powerful than editorial or advertising. •It’s all about collaboration – sharing experiences, expertise, ideas and contacts

•The days of keeping your cards close to your chest are over. •Agencies publically celebrate the success of competitors for the greater good. •It’s good for business if you can help create a market. •The best attitude to have is to know there’s enough to go round. •If your attitude is positive and your ethos is to support and help competitors, you’ll win. •As long as you strive to be the best. •But with this comes danger. Your every move can be scrutinised and your brand is at the behest of others. Turn to your advantage. •Wikileaks, Dominos on Youtube, Tripadvisor etc. •Even the review feature on Londonlaunch has claimed it’s unprepared victims!

•Take it on the chin and react quickly

The Social Media Map 2007

The Social Media Map 2011

The Power of Online • Nearly 2,000,000,000 actively online • 1 in 13 of all humans use it • 17% of these people use internet on the move via mobiles

• 44% log on for News & Events • 42% log on for Networking/communicating with friends • 37% log on for research for work • 22% log on for networking for work • 5.5% log on to take on a different personality!

• 85% of children own a mobile phone • 73% own a book • 60 million iphones have been sold but Google’s Android is about to take over as

market leader.

Source: Global Web

Index Oct 2010

• 675 million active users • 50% log on every day • On average, every user updates 90 pieces of content

Source: Global Web

Index Oct 2010

The DOs and Definitely “Do NOTs” of social media Do get involved. SoMe is essential.

Do Not chase friends. It‟s pointless and creates noise (reaction)

Do be yourself

Do Not have a live feed from twitter to Linked-in!

Do be useful & helpful to others

Do Not change your relationship status without permission!

And if you have to...

Do come across as so gloriously self-absorbed that you‟ve got

to be joking!

And be a bit funny if you can too!

#winning 4.2m followers

In a Nutshell, What should I do?

•Share contacts and ideas

•Ensure you‟re the „go-to‟ person for „spreading the

word‟.

•It‟s slow burn, but if you‟re useful, people will gravitate

towards you and the benefits will come back to you.

•You need to know what you want to achieve

•Know where you‟re going, not necessarily how you‟re

getting there. Driving across the USA.

So Why Network?

There are 3 reasons to network

1. To build your profile (better known)

2. To build your knowledge (better equipped)

3. To build your referral network (better connected)

If you understand this – it‟s easier to formulate a clear and natural strategy to

take with you to (and even build in to) events.

People use digital/social media for different reasons.

•For me, twitter is the most effective SoMe tool because

it‟s instant gratification and it‟s my style to be mildly idiotic

and it allows me to be me.

•Linkedin is more of a referral building network and

although I have 500+ contacts, I rarely use it. That‟s why

my twitter feed links in to linked in and I don‟t notice the fall

out!

•A prominent figure once introduced me as “The Guy who

put the „twit‟ into twitter”! Which got me 100 more followers

•Everyone loves a twit!

•However, the most effective form of networking is to turn

up to an event. Alone and up for it.

But why are you doing this...

•Before you join any network, virtual or actual, be clear on

what you want to achieve from each one.

•Understand how each of these networks can help you.

•Be prepared for the commitment you‟ll need to give and

the time you‟ll need to invest

• It‟s not automatic, no matter what you think!

•Give more than you take

For example...

•Linked in is great for serious business connections and if you‟re looking for

very specific advice or business contacts. Becoming better connected – it‟s

a referral network.

•Twitter is viral – great for re-tweets, getting your personality across in bite-

sized sound-bites and building profile.

•Facebook is more social/fun/personal – I tend to use it for personal interests

and am only „friends‟ with actual „friends‟. It‟s a really common mistake to

strive for as many friends or followers as you can get.

•This can only really happen naturally on twitter as people have to suffer your

comments as a result. A true test of your „Klout Rank‟.

“If you want a job in Silicon Valley today you

can forget it if your Klout rank is below 50.” Thomas Power, Chairman,

Ecademy

Be better Known

•To whom?

•In one or more industries?

•In a particular geographical area?

•Which types of people? Directors? Managers?

Executives? PA‟s? You can shoot too high.

•These are the guys who will spread the word so

understand who their respective audiences are – think

one step ahead – your follower‟s followers.

•With online networks, it‟s now easier and accessible to

everyone

•The game is much bigger and the word can be spread

further, wider, faster...

Be better Known

•You can quickly grow a global following.

•But there are lots of niche groups, networks and interest groups which can be

more valuable.

•It‟s easier to spread the word but harder to control what people can freely say

about you and your brand.

•My advice is live and let live.

•Don‟t worry about what others say, just consider what you say.

•My style is to let everyone think I don‟t consider what I say but I actually do

(mostly!)

•It‟s worth considering “After someone has met me, how would I want them to

describe me to others?”

Be Better Equipped • Building a business is all about learning from your mistakes – but digital media

means you can learn from other people’s mistakes. • We need to learn from other people’s experiences, because everyone else is and

it’s a way to fast track success • We don’t often feel we face unique challenges these days because our networks

have often been there before • Culturally, people are willing to share – even competitors • If you use the digital networks effectively, you’ll find yourself surrounded by

people with the skills and experience to help you. • You need to try to give more than you take as that’s what it’s all about • If you’re useful and funny the laws of attraction will kick in

Be Better Connected • It’s NOT about direct sales • Networking isn’t selling! • It’s as much about ‘Not Working’ as it is about networking • Look around you – how many people are here to buy? • How many are here to sell? • ALL OF US! • So what worse place to try to sell something! • Build relationships • These people will refer you to 5 others on average through SoMe! • Gain trust and be patient • When times are tough, you’ll be front of the queue • Join networks to build strong relationships • Surround yourself with people you trust • Have a strategic approach to which industry networks you join and you’ll make

genuine friends who will help you develop your career and business! People care – it’s not a heartless world.

1. Listen, monitor and gain insights 2. Get involved in the digital world around you – it’s there for the taking 3. Embrace open-ness and transparency 4. Engage don’t broadcast 5. Be flexible enough to adapt

So what does all this mean for us?

10 useful/interesting people to get to know or follow Me! @willbroome, @londonlaunch Tiffany St James (Digital Media Strategist) Andy Lopata (Networking Expert) Mark Shaw (Twitter Guru) Poppy Dinsey (WIWT & hilarious style icon) Jeremy King (Editor, Event Magazine) Andrew Bloch (PR Guru) Mike Kershaw (Events Guru) Peter Kerwood (Marketing Guru) Jonathan Byrne (Incoming President ISES UK)

Thanks for listening!

@willbroome @londonlaunch

Will.broome@londonlaunch.com

07767 688 866 (call me ;-) )