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About 2 years ago I met Kevin Bacon’s cousin, so I guess I am one degree away from Kevin Bacon.

Which brings up an interesting strategy.  If you focused on building relationships with a handful of some of the
most connected and influential people in your industry, then you would have a very good shot of always being one degree away from most anyone you would like to meet in your industry.

You don’t need to know everyone, you just need to know enough of the right people, and hope you have contributed to them in a meaningful way.

For example if you built relationships with the top fundraisers or the people who head up the democratic and republican parties there is a good likelihood they could open up almost any door you would need to see within the respective democratic and republican parties.

If you had a relationship with JK Rowling who wrote Harry Potter, Mark Victor Hansen of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and John Grisham, you would probably be one person away from anyone in the book industry.

If you had a relationship with people like John Doer of the influential VC firm Kleiner Perkins, or VC’s at Benchmark Capital or Sequoia Capital you would likely find yourself one phone call or e mail away from most people in the tech industry.

My good friend Sarano Kelley, has been implementing some of the concepts we teach and has been leveraging his students, friends and colleagues to get introduced to the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Spielberg, Warren Buffet, Garth Brooks and Michael Miliken.

Focusing on who are the influencers, and see how you cultivate relationships with them and add value to them, and instead of being 6 degrees of separation, you can be one degree of separation.

We will be teaching this one degree of separation at my Connection Mastery event in LA Sept 12-14th. If you haven’t yet registered t isn’t too late go to http://www.ConnectionMastery.com and reserve your spot now.

I invite you to Connect With Me tell me: Who are you one degree of separation from? Who are people you would like to meet and do business with? What are your biggest challenges in making the connections you want to make?

Post your answers and comments in the comments section below, I look forward to connecting with you!

Larry Benet
The Connector
http://www.cConnectionMastery.com

Replay of my interview with Alejandro: Listen Here

One of the best practices you will often here is  joining the conversation. I happened to be on Alejandro’s blog making a comment, and no less then 10 minutes later I received a phone call from him.

His 4 key ideas are:

1)Listen to what people are saying

2)Join the conversation

3)Add crazy value

4)Bring people to your blog and have them comment

We spoke for about 25 minutes and he majority of the call was spent learning about each other, and then seeing how we could help each other.

If you believe in business and in life its not what you know, but rather who you know, and you want to really improve your connecting skills so you can recession proof your income, please join us Sept 12-14th at my Connection Mastery Event in Los Angeles.

http://www.SecretstoWealthandPower.com

Until We Connect Again,
Larry Benet
The Connector

Here is one of the best examples of viral marketing I have seen. Check it out, and let me know what you think?

http://www.news3online.com/spread.php?code=32IZi144DSL477qM1P2s

To create something similar that will allow you to connect with your clients and key players that your having a hard time reaching, please visit this link.

http://www.news3online.com/

Join the conversation. What is the best strategy or marketing idea you have seen to create great word of mouth buzz for a business?

Until We Connect Again,

Larry Benet
The Connector

To read his post or listen to his podcast you can click on this link:
http://www.michaelport.com/blog/posts/influence-and-connections.html

Michael talked about building relationships and adding value for thought leaders and reaching out to famous authors and business experts. I have been building relationships with authors and top business experts for years and a simple thing I have found that works, and works well, is if you can add value to them first.

Is there a way you can help an author sell more of his or her books? Can you buy a handful of the authors book, and have it personally autographed, and get it in the hands of key influencers in the market?

Can you refer them a speaking opportunity? Can you host a teleseminar with them where you can get them a lot of massive exposure all at one time?

Another thing about top authors and business experts is no matter how successful they are, they always have more ideas, and projects they want to do. Can you find out what is most important to them and volunteer a few hours a week of your personal time to help them achieve their goals?

Can you be a volunteer staff member at their next seminar, which helps them and will help you at the same time, with the valuable knowledge you will pick up from being in attendance at their event.

If you can build and nurture strategic relationships with key industry experts whom can help your core customer, that is a big deal, because there are now more ways you can add value to them.

Next time you are in front of one of your key prospects or clients, and you know one of their big challenges or goals, surprise them by introducing them to a famous author or speaker who can help them, or send them that autographed book and you will be amazed at the response you get back.

Earlier this year I was with the CEO of a multi-billion dollar financial services company. As I was leaving his office, I asked him who his favorite authors were and what was the number one thing he was working on personally for the year.

He told me that he wanted to manage his time better and become more organized. So I reached out to a famous author that I didn’t know, David Allen of Getting Things Done, and asked if he could possibly autograph a book for this CEO. I told him I was willing to pay for it, or he could use it as a marketing expense to get his name and message in front of a tremendous target prospect, as this company has tens of thousands of people that work within their organization.

He ended up sending an autographed copy of the book on his dime. I’m sure that doing this will provide him with the opportunity to have an excellent return on his initial investment.

All of these are simple ideas that you can easily implement in your marketing efforts.

What are some of the things that you have done to add value when you are trying to connect with  thought leaders and business experts. Please comment on my blog and let me know what you are doing strategically within your particular business endeavors.

Until We Connect Again,

Larry Benet
The Connector

I will be presenting with these other Internet marketing superstars - Yanik Silver, Jeff Johnson,
Simon Leung, and Keith Wellman at Ken McArther’s jvAlert Live in Philadelphia - June 6th, 7th & 8th.

If you want to get Your Ideas, Products and Services Noticed Right Now, Quickly Motivate Millions of People to Spread the Word, and Be Guaranteed to Make a Difference in a VERY Noisy World!, then come out to…
http://www.Jvalertlive.com

Meet me in New York June 14th & 15th and learn how you can transform your life and make a difference in the lives of others at the Empowerment Retreat. At the Empowerment Retreat you will be equipped to take your life to the next level right away!

There will be 20 top presenters from around the county on personal development, spirit,and empowerment; 300 participants, your dynamic network of like minds and inspiration will propel you forward each and every day within your new circle of life.

Visit www.powermastery.com

Stop! Watch the Empowerment Retreat Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzIjRRUJRfg

To Your Success,
Larry Benet
The Connector

Who would you like to be connected to?

Who are you connected to?

Do you stay connected?

How do you connect?

I attended a great workshop last weekend given by a new friend Larry Benet who teaches Connectology. The workshop covered much more ground than I can cover in this Inspiration. Some key points I can share and inspire you to think about are the questions of who would, who are, do you stay and how do you connect?

Larry points out that you may be only one connection away from meeting people who could have a major impact on your life. He asked the attendees to think about and write down at least three people they want to meet who could add value to their business or personal life. Most of us really do not have a grip on who that would be. As I often discuss, unless you know what you want, how will you get it?

So if you are only one person away from those who could have a profound impact on your life, understanding who you are connected to already and staying connected with them is quite important. Do you take time to acknowledge the people you know? If not, change that and stay connected. In TOOLS we talk about reaching out as part of your regular lifestyle.

More important is how you connect. A concept Larry emphasized is when you connect, be of service. Ask what you can do; make a connection heart to heart. When you care more about what you can do for someone rather than what they can do for you, you make a huge impact on others. These connections become strong and your experience in the world improves by leaps and bounds.

So this week, take some time to think about these questions. Do more connecting to people from the heart. You will enjoy it. Also, be open to connecting. Be nice to others you know and those that you meet. You never know where that one person who can have a huge impact on your life might show up. It could be the person right behind you in the grocery store checkout line.

Hoping to connect with you,

Devlyn Steele and the Tools Team
Life Coach and Founder

Devlyn Steele is the Founder of the Tools to Life Guided Self Help And Development Program, visit the following link for more information and to register yourself.

http://toolstolife.com/

This is the first website of its kind using cutting edge technology and features to bring you a “Toolbox” where you’ll have a fully interactive, multi-media, guided self-development program to grow and expand your life! You choose how you work through the program: You can work alone… You can work with your friends, or you can make new friends through our one-of-a-kind Support Network allowing you to get encouragement, feedback, and support from other TOOLS members like you!

I shared some of my best ideas on Connecting and building relationships and getting more business done in less time.

Check it out, I think you will like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpDJ-tVvTyw

Post your comments and please let me know your thoughts.

Until We Connect Again,

Larry Benet
The Connector

All The Speakers from Ann Convery, Joel Block, Ann Devere, Gene McNaughton, Sarano Kelley, Charlie Gay, Theresa Tran, Spar Street and Gary Goldstein, Orrin Hudson, Manny Goldman were amazing and all gave valuable tips on how you can connect, win the hearts of your customers and prospects and get more business and more referrals.

Here is the Winning Formula:

The Power of Connection-really connecting is so critically important…

- The Power of Giving
- The Power of Adding value
- The Power of helping others with, What is important to them
- The Power of following up on an ongoing basis

Remember ideas are a dime a dozen, but the people that implement them are priceless.

What is the one idea you have implemented?

If you have not yet implemented this idea, then do it today, take one small action today on something you have learned.

1) Call someone and tell them how much you appreciate them.
2) Call one of the 20 most influential people in your business community and tell them you want 15 minutes of their time so you can have the opportunity to refer them business in the future.
3) Send one thank you note or one card surprising someone so it makes their day when they read it.
4) Send a testimonial to someone who has helped you or who you really value their product or service.
5) Call one of your strategic partners to see how you can help them more.
6) Call on a non profit and tell them how you would like to help them raise some money by contributing your time, money, or ideas.

You can change your life in 90 days. I really believe that!

- How fast will you put together your power of 6.
- How much better will your life be if you had 6 other people equal or  better to you focused
on helping you get to the next level?

What if you had your Power of 6 at our next Connection Mastery event in late May(Date to come soon)?

How powerful would it be if all your perfect partners and perfect clients were all focused on giving first and adding value throughout the process?

There were several people at the event that offered ways to help me with my business-with things that I really need help with, and I am very thankful for that, I hope you do the same to people you can make the biggest impact on.

I would like to make you more famous and send leads your way. Due to the many things we have planned this year-we will be driving lots of traffic to our website, and I want to direct some of this towards your business.

If you didn’t have a chance to provide a testimonial at the event here is another chance.

http://featuredcustomer.com/testimonials/create_testimonial.cgi?c=7

Take a second to share the value you received from attending our Connection Mastery Event. Things you learned, people you met and what the impact will be on your business.

How has the Connection Mastery event helped you?

Last but not least I wanted to let you know that I appreciate you, and look forward to  connecting with you in the very near future.

Your Friend,

Larry Benet
The Connector

http://www.larrybenet.com/seminar/

The say it isn’t, What You Know… But Rather Who You Know!

This weekend in Los Angeles, I’m going to pull back the curtains and unveil the step-by-step proven systematic process that will allow you to immediately connect with anyone that you want.

I have always believed you are only one powerful relationship away from getting whatever you want.

Is your business currently suffering from a lack of any of the following?

• Leads
• Revenue
• Opportunities
• Capital
• The Right People On Your Team

If you are, then please let me extend an invitation to you to join me this weekend. You will spend 3 insightful days with myself as well as my hand picked team of experts where you will:

“Discover the Elite Money-Getting Secrets to Quickly Gain Access and Connect with ANY Powerful & Influential Person Alive… So You Immediately Multiply Your Income and Easily Get Everything You Want, Need, or Desire!”

http://www.larrybenet.com/seminar

I have invited:

• Joel Block - One of the most connected people I know in the money business
• Gary Goldman - The Producer of “Pretty Woman”
• Gene McNaughton - One of Two people to personally share the stage with Tony Robbins at his personal events
• David Frey - The author of the Small Marketing Business Bible and Instant Referral Systems- Who will share how to automate your referral systems
• Ann Convery - International Speaker and Trainer who has prepared clients for CNN, 60 minutes, and Time Magazine will share her popular program How to Speak Your Business in 30 Seconds or Less
• Ann Devere - Will share how to find your most profitable client
• David Nour - The Creator of Relationship Economics will show you how to leverage technology and better systems to get more done in less time, and to leverage relationships to drive your business growth strategically

We have an incredible guarantee, where we take all the risk of you coming to the event.

To learn more go to: http://www.larrybenet.com/seminar

or to watch the preview Webinar we recently hosted about The Connection Mastery Intensive click the link below

http://www.larrybenet.com/webinar/replay/

I hope to Connect with you at my Connection Mastery Intensive this weekend in Los Angeles, CA.

That link again to sign up is:
http://www.larrybenet.com/seminar

Until We Connect Again,

Larry Benet
The Connector

If you have not already done so previously, then go ahead and view the SMARTS Social Marketing Video. In 2008 I will be focusing many of my resources towards strategically implementing many of these new strategies.

Don Crowther is a member of the StomperNet faculty and created this video to show you some of the many ways to showcase your expertise, attract more leads, and get more referrals.

It is like the early days of the Internet.

You need to be able to fully understand the dynamics of blogging, MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, Digg, and all of the other thousands of social media websites. If you don’t have a complete understanding of these new techniques, then you might actually do more harm then good to your business endeavors.

This video by Don Crowther, whom I met recently at the Blog World Expo, should open up your eyes. It does an amazing job of explaining some of the ways that you can leverage this Web 2.0 Social Marketing trend for your competitive advantage.

That video link again is:
SMARTS Social Marketing Video