Skyrocket Your Construction Network Marketing By Nailing Your Personal Brand.
Welcome to the world of network marketing.
Where first impressions are everything!
Just like a contractor needs the perfect tools to build a house, as a network marketer, nailing your personal brand is the key tool to building a successful business.
But don't worry.
Unlike nailing a piece of wood, this won't leave you with a sore thumb!
In this blog, we'll explore the importance of a strong personal brand and how to make sure you're making the right impression at your next networking event.
So, grab a cup of coffee and let's get started on building your personal brand empire!
What is a personal brand for your construction marketing?
Your PERSONAL brand is as important to your business as your BUSINESS brand.
Your PERSONAL brand has a direct impact on your BUSINESS brand.
Whether you like it or not.
We link personal brands (the individual) to business ones.
And vice versa.
The most successful Trade and Construction businesses I know and have worked with for the last decade are those who are led with directors and team members that have exceptional personal brands.
Simply put.
*Personal branding is the effort to communicate and present your value to the world. A brand is an emotional connection.
Now we understand the link between what you do and say as an individual can affect your Trade and Construction business, we can look at how this works in your marketing.
As a business owner in the construction industry, you know that first impressions are everything.
The way you present yourself at networking meetings can have a big impact on the results your Trade and Construction business get from it.
I’ve seen A LOT of HUGE mistakes other Trade and Construction individuals make that have had a negative effect on their business.
I don’t want you to make the same mistakes too.
Here's a rundown of everything you need to know to help skyrocket your construction networking results by building a bullet-proof personal brand.
1. Be prepared: Nail your construction network marketing personal brand.
Do your homework.
Research who will be attending the networking meeting before you attend.
You can usually ask the organiser to send over a list of delegate information (not for you to spam, but to look these people up online – websites, LinkedIn etc).
This one thing will make a HUGE difference to whether you come away from this meeting with dates in the diary (for 121s with individuals who may want to collaborate with you) and even potential job opportunities.
By researching the attendees, you can identify the individuals or companies that align with your business goals and target them specifically.
Another take-away from good preparation and knowing who will be at the meeting means you can tailor your elevator pitch.
What is an elevator pitch?
This is a part of the meeting where networking groups allow members and visitors a short time slot (around a minute or so) to let us know more about their business.
Let’s say you’re a plumber.
And you offer both domestic and commercial plumbing works in your business.
But you research who will be at the networking meeting you are about to attend and there will in fact be a number of restaurant owners there – which is really profitable work for you.
Be smart.
Tailor your short pitch that day to talk about your expertise and experience in helping restaurants.
You might name your clients.
Or give us an example of how you helped a restaurant with a unique problem they had and how you solved it.
So you think that when you have then presented that day, the restaurant owners may be more interested to want to speak to you?
You may find on that delegate list that your DREAM client (a local property developer?) is going to be at the meeting.
Why not do your homework on that individual – look at their websites, social media etc – and see what projects they are up to at the moment.
You can use this as conversation topics for when you make a bee-line for them at the meeting and give a great first impression.
Another reason to do your research and see who will be at the meeting…
…You might decide that it’s not worth your time.
That in fact, the people attending this meeting aren’t based in the area you work, aren’t your Ideal Clients nor do they know or work with your Ideal Clients.
So in fact, you might be better off giving this one a miss and finding another meeting to instead that may be more worth your while.
Turning up prepared means you make a much better first impression, can target your presentation, are likely to be more memorable for the right reasons and you’ve gone a huge way in elevating your personal brand, meaning your construction business (by association) is going to be considered just as prepared.
2. Dress Professionally: Nail your construction network marketing personal brand.
Before you ask, this does not necessarily mean Shirts and Ties. 👔
Though some venues may insist upon it.
The majority of networking groups adopt a smart-casual dress code.
Where you can wear what you like.
But the attire you rock up to for a Networking Meeting can massively affect your personal brand and how you’re perceived.
Having been to Networking Meetings myself for over a decade, I’ve seen it all.
One Trade stood out to me.
For all the wrong reasons.
He turned up every week with a dirty (filthy in fact), creased polo and trousers.
He also work his site boots into the meeting.
Now you may be thinking, what’s so bad about that?
Shows that he’s busy and working.
Well.
There were 21 other Trades that came to that meeting every week.
All also wearing their branded polo tops and trousers.
Clean and Ironed.
With a change of smart casual footwear.
(Many of them would pop into the bathroom when the meeting finished to change into site-worthy clothes).
They looked smart and gave a fantastic first impression.
There was nothing different to their business than the Trade in question – in terms of geography, size, turnover etc.
But these Trades came prepared.
Their attire (and changing before leaving the meeting) said HUGE amounts about them as individuals.
👊🏽 They take the meeting (and the people there) seriously.
👊🏽 That they recognised a business meeting isn’t a ‘site’ and therefore there is a difference etiquette.
👊🏽 They nailed their personal brand in the way they wore their branded workwear.
⭐️ PRO TIP – Do as our epic Trade clients do… always keep a clean, ironed branded top in the van for emergencies.
Dressing professionally at a networking meeting can help you make a positive impression, establish credibility, and boost your own confidence.
3. Bring Business Cards: Nail your construction network marketing personal brand.
You don’t want to be that person that forgets to bring them.
Especially if there is a lot of people there and you have to repeatedly tell different people over and over that you forgot them.
Awkward.
Not a good look for your construction marketing.
Here’s how business cards help leverage your personal (and business) brand:
✅ MEMORY AID
Business cards serve as a memory aid and help people remember who you are and how to contact you after the event.
✅ PROFESSIONALISM
Having a business card shows that you are a professional, and are serious about your business and building relationships with others.
✅ BRANDING
A business card is a physical representation of your personal brand, so it's important to ensure that it reflects your brand well. This includes things like design, colour scheme, and messaging.
✅ FOLLOW UP TOOL
Business cards are a valuable tool for follow-up after the event. They allow you to make notes on the back of the card and remind you of the conversations you had with that person, to keep track of your relationships.
✅ LASTING IMPRESSION
A well-designed business card can leave a lasting impression on the people you meet, which can help to increase the chances of them remembering you and reaching out to you in the future.
Business cards are an essential part of your personal brand and are an important tool for building relationships and leaving a lasting impression on the people you meet at networking events.
Small but mighty springs to mind. 👌🏽
4. Be an active listener: Nail your construction network marketing personal brand.
Being an active listener at a networking meeting can help you make valuable connections and learn more about the people you meet.
All this good stuff goes a huge way to building relationship s in the long run for people who you may end up collaborating with or who may even become your clients.
Here are a few ways to be an active listener:
Focus on the speaker: Give the person your full attention and avoid distractions like checking your phone or looking around the room.
1️⃣ ASK QUESTIONS.
Show that you're interested in what the person has to say by asking thoughtful and relevant questions.
2️⃣ CLARIFY.
If you're not sure you understand something the person has said, ask them to clarify or provide more information.
3️⃣ SHOW EMPATHY.
Show that you understand and care about what the person is saying by using non-verbal cues like nodding and making eye contact.
4️⃣ TAKE NOTES.
Jot down key points or important information the person has shared, this will help you remember the conversation and follow up with them later.
This is a great one to do if there is a special presentation that day.
If you’re not taking notes down, you might be the only one and this won’t go unnoticed.
5️⃣ AVOID INTERRUPTING.
Let the person finish their thoughts before interjecting or changing the subject.
6️⃣ LISTEN FOR OPPORTUNITIES.
Listen for opportunities to help the person or connect them with someone else in your network.
7️⃣ RESPECT THE OTHER PERSON’S TIME AND SPACE.
Be mindful of the time you are taking up and respect the other person's time and space.
5. Share your knowledge: Nail your construction network marketing personal brand.
Sharing your industry knowledge at a networking meeting is a great way to boost your personal brand for several reasons.
Here’s why.
📚 ESTABLISH YOURSELF AS THE EXPERT.
By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you can establish yourself as a thought leader or expert in your field. This can help to build credibility and trust with the people you meet.
📚 PROVIDE VALUE.
Sharing your knowledge can provide value to the people you meet by educating them on a specific topic or providing them with new insights. This can help to create a positive impression and foster relationships.
📚 SHOWCASE YOUR SKILLS.
Sharing your knowledge can also showcase your skills and capabilities, which can help to differentiate yourself from others in your industry.
📚 CREATE OPPORTUNITIES.
Sharing your knowledge can also create opportunities for further collaboration or networking with the people you meet.
📚 NETWORKING.
Sharing your knowledge can also help you to connect with other people in your industry who share your interests and passions, this can help you to build a strong network of professional contacts.
📚 BRANDING.
By sharing your knowledge, you can also showcase your personal brand and align it with your business, this can help to establish you as an authority in your field and increase the visibility of your brand.
📚 REPUTATION.
Sharing your knowledge can help you to build a reputation as a knowledgeable and helpful professional, which can lead to more opportunities and better visibility in your industry.
6. Follow Up: Nail your construction network marketing personal brand.
We all like people who do what they say they are going to do, right?
And how do we feel about those who don’t?
Who leave us hanging.
Who we have to chase.
❌ Don’t be that person.
It you can’t do what you say you’re going to as an individual (personal brand), we are automatically led to believe the same will be said for your business.
If you meet us at networking meeting and say you are going to email, then email.
If you say you are going to call, call.
If you promised you will send over some details or schedule a 121 with us… do exactly that.
Here's a few ways you can actively go out of your way to impress with your personal brand and follow up after a networking meeting:
💡 Send a Thank You note.
💡 Connect on LinkedIn.
💡 Reach out and schedule a call/meeting.
💡 Share valuable information – articles, reports etc.
💡 Follow up on specific requests.
💡 Be pro-active: look for opportunities to help the person you met or to connect them with someone else in your network.
💡 Follow up regularly.
💡 Show interest – keep the conversation going by showing interest in the person’s business or projects.
7. Be consistent, active and engaged: Nail your construction network marketing personal brand.
There’s often a lot more to networking groups than a weekly/monthly meeting.
Socials.
121 meetings.
Events.
Something really important to remember is that our personal brand plays a bit part in these too.
Are you participating enough?
If the group is organising events and socials are you attending as many of them as you can?
How are you showing up them?
Are you dressed appropriately to the event and venue?
If there is alcohol involved, are you conscious of the amount you are drinking?
If you are drinking, have you arranged a lift home instead of getting behind the wheel?
Are you behaving appropriately at the events and towards others?
Lots of things to consider that you might not have thought have anything to do with your business.
But even when the event is not business related, if the organisers or people there are, then your personal brand is on display and a reflection of your business… whether we like it or not.
8. Leverage your online presence: Nail your construction network marketing personal brand.
This one is a whole blog of its own.
Check this out.
Perfect Examples Of How Your Personal Brand On Social Media Is Ruining Your Construction Marketing.
Many Networking Groups will have their own social media channels.
And there may be an opportunity that your social media content (business related) could eb shared on these pages.
So what you are putting on your business social media pages can also play a big part on how you are regarded personally.
So check out that link and make sure you’re doing it right.
9. Offer to speak or lead: Nail your construction network marketing personal brand.
We don’t mean speaking at the slot where you get to promote your business.
Everyone has that equal opportunity.
When you join some of the more formal Networking Groups there are lots of things happening behind the scenes to ensure a smooth run and a great experience for everyone attending.
Example.
You’ll have the lead host – the person who chairs the meeting.
There may be someone who meets and greets everyone at the door.
There may be someone who does an education slot at every meeting with ideas on how best to get the most out of networking.
There may be another person who announces Any Other Business at the end of the meeting.
There may be somebody who organises all the social events behind the scenes.
Whatever the role (front and centre or behind the scenes) get involved.
It means you are communicating and interacting with more people, more frequently.
THIS is then how additional conversations outside the meeting begin.
About you and about your business.
This is how you fast-track those relationships and start getting more out of networking for your construction business.
Also.
By taking a leading role, you can demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to work well in a team.
This is hughly beneficial for your construction business and future projects.
By speaking or leading a discussion, you can help to build a reputation as a knowledgeable and helpful professional - which can lead to more opportunities and better visibility in your industry.
Yes, it is not going to be construction specific but it’s how it elevates your personal brand that then draws people to you to want to know more about your construction business.
See how it all works?
10. Be authentic: Nail your construction network marketing personal brand.
Being authentic at a networking meeting as a construction business owner can help you build genuine connections and establish trust with the people you meet.
Need some ideas on how to do it?
We got you covered…
💡 Be honest and genuine about who you are and what your business does. Don't try to be someone you're not.
💡 Share your personal story and experiences, this can help others to connect with you on a personal level.
💡 Be passionate about what you do, this can help to build trust and credibility.
💡 Be transparent about your business and be open to answering questions about it.
💡 Show vulnerability and be open to admitting mistakes or challenges you have faced in your business.
💡 Be authentic in all your interactions, whether it is in person, online, or in written communications.
💡 Show interest in the other person, their business, and their interests, this will help to build genuine connections.
💡 Share your vision for your business, this can help others to understand your passion and commitment.
⬇️ Skyrocket Your Construction Network Marketing By Nailing Your Personal Brand Rundown:
1. Be prepared.
2. Dress professionally.
3. Bring business cards/use a branded zoom background.
4. Be an active listener.
5. Share your knowledge.
6. Follow up – do what you say you are going to do.
7. Be consistent, active, and engaged.
8. Leverage your online presence through the group.
9. Offer to speak or lead in the networking group.
10. Be authentic.
🛠 Need a little more help nailing your Trades and Construction Marketing?
Course you do.
First. Let’s work out where you are with all things Marketing.
Got 3 minutes?
Take our Trades Quiz to discover how you score with all things ‘Off The Tools’.
We have heaps of tips, tricks, and hacks for your Trade and Construction business in our cheat sheets, videos and ideas waiting for you on the other side… i.e., your results page.
So, you can improve your score. And NAIL your Trade and Construction business.
Nice.
SOURCE: https://personalbrand.com/definition/