We talked about contact spheres yesterday. Basically these are the group of businesses who also serve you target market, but don’t compete with you. They tend to make good networking partners since the clients for one can often be clients for the other.
OK, so you’ll probably agree that these are pretty cool. Now the trick is, how do you find them? Well, you have two options.
The first is to become an accomplished psychic and mind-reader. That way you can use your supernatural powers on your clients and find out who else they buy from.
Or you could just ask.
I’d recommend taking them out to lunch. In the invitation specifically tell them that you would like their help in brainstorming on this idea. You just want to find out who else they buy from. Most people will be more than happy to help out.
Remember that the people in your network (including your clients) are going to be happy to help you in any way they can. Take some time to tap into that network to help you find others which serve your target. Then go out on a limb and contact them too. Becoming part of that contact sphere could give your network a real boost.
