5 Strategic Advantages Convey Media Group received from Inside919

[Drew Becker]

When I decided to begin my business 10 years ago, one of the most influential books was Daniel Pink’s “Free Agent Nation.” This book offers a number of resources for the micro business owner to use to get started and explains how to use them. One of the most critical is a networking structure.

From the beginning Inside 919 has provided my company, Convey Media Group, with a unique way to network. Through my participation, I have met people in person and been able to strengthen these relationships both on-line through digital communication and off-line at various events. These people can tell others about our offerings including branding, marketing through video and social media, and communications and customer service training. Our company helps our clients by recommending these businesses. In turn, we provide more knowledge and value to our clients.

Let me list a few of the advantages my company and I have received:

1. Model On-line/off-line Relationships
In-person meetings followed by on-line communications have enabled me to extend my marketing reach by forming critical relationships with established and new micro-business owners. I have formed relationships with coaches, social media gurus, web development professionals and a number of other business people who have helped grow and promote my business and whom I can recommend for their services. This has increased my profits.

2. Leverage from Events
Some of the events my staff and I attend are more formal like the monthly Big Lunch and Final Friday. These offer an opportunity to meet new business owners and catch up with old friends. I find less formal, more locally-oriented events are often even more valuable. The Tuesday morning Coffee Break and one-on-one lunch meetings and getting together for a drink have provided an opportunity to experience another business owner’s brand first-hand to know what he or she does in detail.

3. Create Critical Alliances
Convey Media Group has created alliances with three or four individuals and has translated directly to business inside and outside the network. These business relationships have paid many times over for the time and money invested in the Inside network.

4. Extend our brand
The business brand for my company and my personal brand are blended in the network and fashion a powerful mixture so that people on the network know what I do but also know something about the kind of person I am. This combination makes it easier for them to buy from me because we have built trust based on a whole-person and business relationship. These connections are longer lasting.

5. Educate about the Social Media landscape
I cannot over emphasize the importance of what I have learned through the network. Whether through articles posted by experts, in live training or in casual conversations with other members, I can keep up with the latest information about business techniques and social media strategies and tactics.

What advantages has your company received?

[Pat Howlett]

Drew - if others will read and follow your 5 points I believe they'll SEE a difference in both the size/power of their own business network and their bottomline.

It also helps that you're a great guy to know :)