Networking to Build Sales

Networking outside the pubs is a great way to meet new people who can be the source of new business and referrals.  We're in a people business and people buy people, so the more people you know the more business you will see.

Like anything networking has to be done consistently and your heart has to be in in it.  It's like planting a garden- if you tend to it, good things will bloom. If you don't you'll just waste your time.

We have both real world and online strategies that work,so if you are unsure call someone!  I also found this article on the Marketing for Hippies website that has some great tips:  Four Secrets to Have Networking Turn into Clients

If you are a GM or manager, you should ask your local sales/marketing person questions like:

What networking groups are you attending on a regular basis? Who did you meet at the last one you went to? When are you talking to them again?

On Twitter, are you following INSERT LOCAL HOTEL NAME, INSERT LOCAL SPORT OR SOCIAL GROUP, INSERT LOCAL BUSINESS NAME? Are you giving Twitter 10 minutes every day?

On LinkedIn- is your profile complete and correct?  (Managers- you should look at this to confirm)  Are you connecting with people you meet on LinkedIn?

There is a Networking checklist in the How To section of Google docs.

How to Work with Hotels

Hotel programs need to be done consistently in order for them to work and you need to touch all the different people inside a hotel to maximize your results. If you are just touching the concierge you are missing most of the business opportunities. You need to be connecting with the bell man, valet, the person who drives the van and maybe most importantly the sales / catering people.

Remember, you are not the only pub or restaurant talking to these people each week so the key is being different, standing out, and building a relationship.  You also need to email them important info on a regular basis, emphasizing sports and brunch.

We have a lot of people inside the company who have built really good hotel programs- talk to them!  We also have a lot of hotel information available to you. You can find it here.

Fado Events Video

Just a reminder this video is posted on youtube and can be seen by anyone, here is the link-

NOTE: A Tigin version of this will be posted soon

We need to be pushing this out in as many different ways as we can, especially this time of year, here are a few ideas. How else would you use it?

- Include it in the email you send back to people looking for information

- Include it in your signature line of your email

- Send it to people as part of the follow up you do at networking events

- Ask your promotional partners (CVB, tourism, associations you belong to) to distribute it to their people

- Highlight it in your weekly hotel email

- Post it to your LinkedIn profile

- Send it to your sales/catering people at hotels and invite them in for a drink

Guest Bartender Charity event

The Columbus pub has been doing this promotion for a few years and it has evolved to a point where the charities they work with make good money, it's event that people want to come to (big benefit to those raising money), the pub sees good incremental revenue and bartenders make more in tips.  It's a win-win-win. Watch the video to see how it works.