You and Your Door Openers

What are door openers? Actually that question should say, “Who are door openers?”
They are friends or acquaintances who help you succeed by introducing you to people they know, people who can guide you to the top of your profession.

The Basic Idea
Get to know lots of people! You never can tell who might be able to help you. Someone’s cousin’s neighbor’s boss could be just the person you should meet.

Where are these door openers?
Here are a few possibilities: church or synagogue, concerts, wine tastings, volunteer events, charity fund raisers, gallery openings, classes & lectures, civic organizations, boards of directors, airports, holiday celebrations, waiting in line, parties, festivals, dancing, product parties, singing in choruses, participating in theater productions, ushering for concerts & plays, school events, athletic games, chamber of commerce meetings & mixers, doctor & dentist waiting rooms. Get the idea?

How do I meet them?
Get involved! Join professional organizations and civic organizations that interest you. Participate on a committee or two; this will enable you to develop relationships within a small group that meets regularly. A committee also provides a forum where others can observe your capabilities.

Join networking groups. This puts you in the company of others who are committed to word-of-mouth promotion. You will also have the opportunity to deliver your message over and over. It takes several repetitions for your message to sink in, and your name is more likely to occur to them later because of this continuous exposure.

Try something new! Sample short-term experiences such as classes or workshops that meet only once or for a few sessions. People in these situations are often more willing to talk and share personal information while you are all in learning mode.

Get a mentor. If you work in a company with a formal mentoring program, great! Take advantage of that opportunity to link up with an experienced professional in your field. If a formal mentoring program is not available to you, it is still possible to find your own mentor. In this case, you get to choose anyone you like to be your guide. Make your selection carefully and be prepared to tell that person why you picked them. Then write or phone this chosen mentor with your request.

How do I get them to help me?
Listen! Get curious about other people and what they do. Learn everything you can about their work, hobbies, and families. Find commonalities. Always seek ways to build rapport with them.

Share information about yourself with others. They need to know enough about you so that they can connect you with appropriate people to promote your success.

How can I keep this process going?
Follow up! Seek additional encounters with the people you meet. Schedule an appointment for breakfast, lunch, or coffee.

Stay in touch with your door openers by writing and phoning them occasionally. Thank them for their help whenever it leads to a new success. Send them articles that might interest them. Let them know about your ‘wins’ and congratulate them on their achievements. Ask how you can be of service to them.

Nurture the connection with your door openers. It’s all about relationships!