Networking Authentically & Building Your Community (Personal Branding Series)

Life doesn’t revolve around business. Move beyond transactional networking to build genuine relationships and foster a community around your personal brand.

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LJ Jose & Fahad
May 23, 2025

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When was the last time you did something non-business-related with a client? (Last week for us, brunch and a little gambling!)

If you’re like most people, your relationship with your clients ends after the transaction or project is finished.

(And that’s ok! It’s worked so far, hasn’t it?)

But what about moving beyond the transaction?

Building a genuine relationship?

Fostering a sense of community over time?

Increasing momentum with more referrals?

The answer is to change your lead generation strategy from just “enter them in the CRM, follow up and sell” to “enter them in the CRM, follow up, send a funny meme, sell, send another meme, invite them to your wedding, and work with them and all their friends”

(Whew.)

Networking is something where we can’t teach you what to say (because it’s unique to YOU), more the strategies of how to put yourself in situations that lead to more than just a transaction.

What should we cover in June?

We’ll run this the next two weeks!

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Strategies For Networking

In all cases it’s about building rapport and making a meaningful connection. Sales happen when they know, like, and trust you. 

(Yep we’re aware it’s a cliche.)

The only thing that makes 21st century networking more interesting is the added online components.

The approach/strategy for networking we use is called ANESR

Attract > Nurture > Engage > Sell or Referral Engine > Refer

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 Engaging With Your Customers Online

If you’re using the strategies and campaigns every week you’ll already be building a following on social media.

(Attraction, check.)

The goal now turns to bringing them closer.

DMs are the universal way to do that.

That doesn’t mean jumping into sales (though cold outreach has its place) it means easing into the conversation about them.

(Starting with something about their profile perhaps?)

Comment tags also work well (sparingly if you know them well).

Stories are the best to get engagement and start conversations (especially “close friends” on Instagram/Facebook stories!) check out LJ’s Instagram stories…1000+:1 fun to business.

(No regrets. ~LJ)

Blogging and newsletters like this is also another great strategy since it lets your readers chime in at any time via comments or replies.

Last but not least there’s the magic of networking sites, while they’re usually ways for finding professional referrals for you to send non-qualified leads to, they might  just have “non-qualified” leads that fit your market.

Quick Start Platforms

  1. LinkedIn

  2. Instagram

  3. Blog/Newsletter

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Creating Connections Off The Net

The best strategy for offline networking is going to be stories.

Tell people about your job.

Funny things? Share it.

Horrific “OOOOHHHHH-I-F*CKED-UP”’s. Those too.

Stories have a way of revealing problems you solve and people who rely on your help without directly stating your value proposition.

That story about how the executive alienated their team by threatening layoffs but repaired the relationship thanks to your help?

Gold.

Everyone listening now has an idea of your work.

Personally, we find a lot of connections here on LinkedIn or through our day jobs. 

(Yep, still got those!)

At the end of the day the goal is to connect. That’s all. Sales will happen when they happen! There’s nothing you can do to speed up this type of marketing/sales.

But what CAN you do?

Keep building your brand, keep creating content that attracts more people you want to talk to, and building your locale with events!

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This Week’s Campaigns

Retail/E-commerce

  • Concept: Community is a big part of networking. And having an engaged community is the only useful kind frankly. This week, launch a "Customer Stories" campaign, featuring short video testimonials or photos from satisfied customers showcasing how they use or enjoy your products in their daily lives. 

  • Why it works: The only way for people to find out about and feel a desire to join your community is if it feels authentic. This campaign builds authentic social proof and trust, allowing potential customers to see real-life applications and benefits from their peers.

Consultants/Coaches

  • Concept: This week the goal is to use your social media to kickstart your community network. Share "One Big Idea" reels – a concise insight or strategy that community members can implement immediately to tackle a common challenge or seize a local opportunity. 

  • Why it works: We’re giving your future community members a taste of what it’s like to be in your orbit. It delivers high-value, actionable content quickly, positioning you as a knowledgeable and practical expert within the our community.

Realtors

  • Concept: Create a "Behind the Scenes of a Vegas Closing" reel, showing snippets of the excitement, the paperwork, and the moment a client receives their new keys in the Las Vegas market. Go beyond just sharing a pic of them on your Facebook to be liked by all your brokerage friends.

  • Why it works: There’s a lot of fear to a transaction of this size. This campaign helps them visualize the end result, demystifies the closing process, builds excitement around homeownership, and positions you as the capable guide they’re looking for.

Therapists

  • Concept: Offer "Vegas Vibe Check" reels – quick self-assessment questions or prompts that help viewers gauge their current mental well-being amidst the city's energy, followed by a brief, positive coping suggestion. Content like this is aiming at growing your following (which is the point of networking too!).

  • Why it works: Your clients might not know they need help. This is a subtle way to encourage self-awareness, provide immediate value, and offer a relatable way for busy people to check in on their emotional state while putting your practice front-and-center.

No matter what route you take, on- or offline, we’re here to support you!

We’ll see you next week!

LJ & Fahad

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