Alex Walchli

No, I am not here to talk to you about girlfriends, boyfriends, and marriage. I’m here to talk about building business relationships.

I have been developing my network of customers, middle men, and mentors for only a year now. So you may say what the heck does this guy know about long term relationships? Well I can say I know enough to say that they are extremely important in business, and I knew this from the beginning.

My first big lead was a guy named Brian who owned a steel contracting company. I met him while working at an Apple store. Fortunately for me this apple store was located in an upscale city near Chicago, Illinois where many business owners resided. It was time to capitalize on that. Yes, I was double dipping while working for Apple, I would sell business owners their Macs and Printers and then BRIEFLY ask if they’re looking for any graphic or website work. Some would say that is extremely unethical, I say it was extremely slick. Anyway, I was a week too late with Brian on doing things for his website as his business partner already had another company working for them. He did mention there was other work he had, which didn’t turn out to be much.

Fast forward a year. I talk to Brian at least three times a week and meet up with him for a beer at the local Apple Bees a couple times a month. What the heck does a web designer and a steel contractor have in common? We both own businesses and know many people that also do. Brian hooked us up with our biggest client thus far, Dave Trautwein of Professional Baseball Instruction, another big client shortly, and turned me onto email marketing where I have definitely seen some cash. He doesn’t ask for a thing in return except that when we meet up I help him with his site and any tech related problems, sweet deal huh?

Moral of the story, spend the extra effort and time talking with people, don’t nickel and dime, don’t be an ass, and the cash will find its way to you.

Well I’ve finally given in. Could be because I got laid off last week and finally have nothing but time on my hands to pursue my entrepreneurial endeavors (until my funds run dry and I become another kid in their parents’ basement). Could be because I got a spontaneous itch to express my feelings to the usually overly critical and unforgiving world (yeah, right).

No, none of the above reasons are why I’ve done this.  After reading numerous articles about starting a business and expanding your network, I have discovered that they all, for the most part, tell me to do the same things. Jump on the social networking bandwagon, grab a Facebook, grab a blog, and start making new mutual connections.

So simply put, that’s what I did. I have become utterly infatuated with the power of social networking and the absolute bottom line is that its free.

As for a clarification of my intentions, I am not on here to make sales pitches, spam you to death, and hopefully not bore you to death. I am here because I want to share what I do, my experiences as a young entrepreneur (good or bad), and look to others for input and criticism. You know, keep it real. In return I will offer the same and will enjoy this new experience.

If you are anywhere near on the same boat as I am, a business owner,  I highly suggest this website to keep your sails flapping in the wind. It was sent to me by my ex-boss (and somewhat of a mentor I would almost say). www.sitepronews.com. This website has been part of the catalysts for some of things I am doing to ensure my business’s expansion and success.  I’ve spent the last couple hours reading its highly informative articles.  One piece of reading that grabbed my eye was “7 Things You Can Do Now To Cash in on Social Networking”.

Here’s the link, http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2009/mar/13.html.