Say No To The Business Booty Call: The Value of Building Real Relationships in the Business World

I believe in the power of relationships, and anyone who knows me, knows how much I LOVE to network. There’s just something about meeting people in person, finding out what their passion is and connecting with them on that very human and personal level.

But time and again, a perfectly amazing connection goes sour. You see, I have a major pet peeve in business and that pet peeve is the business booty call.

In the real world, we all know what a booty call looks like.

Urban Dictionary defines it as “A late night summons — often made via telephone — to arrange sexual liaisons on an ad hoc basis.”

But what does a booty call look like in the business world? Well, let’s check out a couple of real life scenarios.

Scenario 1— In the dating world, you meet a great man or woman, go out once, have a great time, but then the only time you ever hear from them is when you get a late night text message to meet up.

In the business world, you meet a potential partner or client, hang out at a networking event, get their information, and suddenly the only time they ever hear from you is when you’re trying to sell them something or ask for a favor.

Let’s push the envelope a little more…

Scenario 2 — In the dating world, you’re browsing OkCupid and swipe right on an interesting prospect. They swipe right too and *DING*, suddenly there’s an inappropriate and completely unwarranted message in your inbox.

Now how about in the business world? Someone adds you on Facebook, you have a few friends in common and they look like an interesting connection so you add them back. Suddenly there’s a sales pitch in your messenger and you’re being tagged in all of their sales posts.

No relationship. No commitment. Just Sales Pitches.

The sad thing is, this happens more often than not and most sales people are guilty of it. Hell, I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of it too. (Emphasis on past tense!)

When it comes to earning a clients business or securing a great strategic partner, you essentially ‘date’ those people.

So why then do we so often forget all about building a relationship? Why do we jump head first into selling and forget all about delivering value?

When it comes to my business (real estate), everyone is a potential client… but if that’s how I approached them, as dollar signs instead of people, I would probably never make another sale in my life.

What message are you sending to your potential clients and strategic partners? When you meet someone new, are you a giver or a taker?

I urge you to become a giver.

Lead With Value

Providing value is how you build relationships and become top of mind with the people in your network. This can be by providing educational content, edifying them on social media, inviting them to a relevant event, or connecting them with someone of value in your own network.

Like dating, when your clients and partners feel valued and begin to get to know, like and trust you, they are more likely to want to “date” aka “do business” with you.

And they’re also more likely to want to go out of their way to share about their experience generating social proof and word-of-mouth referrals.

Better relationships lead to better business.

So say no to the business booty call and focus instead on what you can bring to the table.