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Article contributed by Dr. Ivan Misner.
Are you looking for a networking approach that will help you save time and money? Yes? . . . I had a feeling you’d say that.
Source seeking is a great way to save time and money, increase your number of sources, discover some of your best sources and opportunities, and broaden your knowledge of your sources’ networks. It involves contacting your prospective sources to identify people they know who can help you achieve a particular goal. For example, you may ask a source to name someone who can help you with a problem, can sell something you want, owns something you want, knows someone in a certain area, or has been somewhere you want to go.
Here are some tips for source seeking:
- Determine what you need; be as clear as possible.
- Identify which sources you will contact for recommendations.
- Contact more than one source for a recommendation; this way, you may find several prospects who can help you with a particular problem.
- Be sure to let your sources know approximately how many options you plan to investigate before you make a final decision.
- Be aware that some of your sources may be protective about the people in their network. They may want to check with their contacts before they give you their names and numbers.
- Since this approach is primarily one in which your sources give to you, it is important to follow up with thanks and status reports. Be sure to let them know your final decision.
