Hot Social Media Tip: Networking with Industry Icons

Colin Cowie | Photo Courtesy WeddingsUnveiledBlog

All social media is not just an opportunity to further revenue potential exclusively.  It is also an incredible opportunity for high-level networking.  If you look carefully at Facebook in particular, you may be surprised at the caliber of wedding and event business leaders in our industry that may be "unreachable" by phone or their gatekeepers but are readily available on Facebook or Twitter.

In whose company would you like to be?  Which wedding and event industry icons do you admire the most and why?  Wedding and event professionals such as Colin Cowie, Mindy Weiss, Preston Bailey and many more are leaders for a reason.  Plus they have an entire entourage and team of creative persons surrounding them at all times, which can make reaching out to them or taking the next step for your business a bit more challenging.  Consider making a list of your top 25 event industry icons who really inspire you.  These would be people who would , if they partnered with you in business, were your client, or spoke next to you as an industry peer would take your breath away.  If you are just starting out, you may wish to start with your local industry icons in your area or state - those people who are established and have great, successful reputations.  A great way to get to know who is who is to join local event networking groups such as NACE or ISES.

Preston Bailey | Photo Courtesy Preston Bailey Enterprises

Next, see if you can look up these people on Facebook & Twitter.  If they have a public business page, make sure you "like" them (Facebook) and "follow them" (Twitter).  Interact and engage with them regularly.  Follow their blogs and make intelligent comments as often as you can.  Target influencers will begin to notice your presence before too long and soon you may find that the gatekeepers or blocks that existed once previously have either softened or disappeared entirely. 

Conversely, anytime you BLOG, Facebook or Twitter for your own business, make sure you "tag" their event business as appropriate if it is relevant to your own post so that their followers and key influencers notice you.  Note: it is really important that you do not just tag randomly and all the time. If you tag a business, it should be relevant, of value and no more than once every other day or so.  I liken it to wanting to catch the eye of someone you would like to date:  there is a fine art to being subtle but also attracting someone's attention without appearing desperate or that you are stalking them. 

Mindy Weiss | Photo Courtesy JuneBugWeddings

But perhaps the most important thing of all is to remember and be clear on what it is you have to offer them and what you would like out of the relationship and continue to be a "giver" with this individual and your industry.  Nothing will harm your reputation and business more than getting the attention of someone well-known because they truly believe you have talent and then not being able to deliver or being able to make the relationship of mutual benefit.

Networking is about building relationships and relationships are built on trust and continual give and take. Whether you network online or in person, always go above and beyond the expectation.  This, coupled with hard work and talent, could possibly make you the next "industry icon" to whom others will be after.


Want to learn more?  Visit our Website EngagingInspiration - a business dedicated exclusively to social media, marketing and training for the special event professional and venue.