1. Make the Most of
Your Networking
Private Building Conference
International Therapist Leadership Institute
Jodi Blackley, M.S., M.F.T.
Thursday, October 13, 2009
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com

2. Purpose
 Help feel more comfortable with locating,
identifying and connecting with resources in
their community to make solid networking
connections.
 Help reframe how to take a very extroverted
means of marketing feel more accessible for
those who prefer introverted strategies.
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com

3. Introduction
 Acknowledge fears of community marketing:
 How to explain what it is we do?
 Having confidence in our own services to exude
that confidence to others
 How do you find those who will be most likely to
refer?
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com

4. How to Make Extroverted
Marketing More Comfortable
 Maintaining a positive attitude
 Anxiety Reduction
 Identifying and changing negative thought patterns.
 Recognizing your own strengths
 Not getting caught up in what others say will/won't work
 Find, read success stories
 Be secure in your own strengths. Adage: Take what works for you
& discard the rest.
 Surrounding yourself with positive people
 Abundance-oriented colleagues and individuals
 Find people who are having success, pick their brains
 Engaging in self-care
 Use any extra time to your advantage
 Use down time to make community connections
 Work on ideal clienthttp://www.jodiblackley.com
definition
jodi@jodiblackley.com

5. Tips to Increase
Community Networking
 Define Your *Ideal* Client
 Who is your *Ideal* Client?
 Where are they located?
 Where do they turn for help?
 Looking at needs of ideal client & coming up with
themes that “speak” to that clientele
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com

6. Tips to Increase
Community Networking
 Implement an “elevator speech.”
 Why is this important?
 Many community networking venues utilize such
techniques.
 Approximately 30 secs.
 Informs others what it is you do
 Once defined, imagine meeting someone in
an “elevator”
 Focus on the presenting problem & how you will
alleviate the pain of your ideal client.
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com

7. Tips to Increase
Community Networking
 Increase your networking
 Back to ideal client
 Have your elevator speech (or several if appropriate) ready
 Look at where your ideal client would seek out resources
for help
 Define your “sphere of influence” or “power partners”
(Who are those who can refer to you your “ideal client?”)
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com

8. Tips to Increase
Community Networking
 Keep business cards on you at all times! If you have
website/email, add it to business card printing.
 If you have brochures, fliers, etc., bring them! Many
networking opportunities have tables set-up to allow
participants to advertise their services.
 Decide on personal goals for each networking
opportunity before arriving to the event.
 What do you want to get from the event?
 How many people do you want to network with?
 How many business cards do you want to hand out?
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com

9. Where to Network
within the Community
 Local chapters of professional associations
(CAMFT, AAMFT, ACA, etc.)
 Benefits: Connect with others in same field who may not
work with your “ideal client”
 Colleagues are supportive
 Safe place to work on your “elevator speech”
 Create a networking group with other therapists
 Provide marketing support
 Provide feedback
 Share strengths & niches with one another
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com

10. Where to Network
within the Community
 Attending Conferences/Workshops
 Networking opportunities
 Pushing yourself to meet new people
 Passing out business cards
 Getting involved on Boards
 Benefits: Allows you to get your name out in your
community as a leader in your field.
 Gives you opportunities to network in the community with
other professionals at conferences.
 Seen as a face in the community -- Name recognition!
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com

11. Where to Network
within the Community
 Join Networking Groups (BNI, Chamber of
Commerce, etc.)
 Benefits: Expert in your Chapter
 Opportunity to define your “sphere of influence”
 Opportunity to refine your “elevator speech.”
 Get to meet many professionals from other fields – think
outside the box
 Meet more people from within your community
 School alumni groups/associations
 Reconnect with other alumni
 Faculty members can be good resources
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com

12. Where to Network
within the Community
 Presentations
 Benefits: Opportunity to demonstrate your expertise
 Can pass out brochures/business cards/products
(CD’s, etc.)
 Can work with another professional to expand the
topic and draw in more potential clients.
 Become expert in your field.
http://www.jodiblackley.com
jodi@jodiblackley.com