Austin.BloggersPub

Well, to update those of you that were wondering about that book I made this big deal about for 30 days…
I finished it, as far as that contest goes. And I even let my mom read it. This might come as a surprise to you, but she was very supportive.
So, all that’s left now, is […]

This may seem ultra obvious but experienced networkers got where they are because of their experience networking.

Whether you’re a novice networker or a seasoned pro, only one thing is going to make you better: Networking more.

For the newbie networker networking is probably a pretty uncomfortable act. So was driving when you first started. Over time you did it over and over again and now you probably don’t even think about it anymore. With enough consistency and effort over a period of time your networking skills can become just as second nature.

Nearly all of us learn best by doing. You could read everything there is about driving, but until you get behind the wheel and do it for yourself you’re not going to be very good at it. The same is true of networking. You could read all of the networking books and blogs out there and still not be a very good networker until you get out there and do it for yourself. Now I’m not telling you to stop reading my networking blog, but I’d much rather you actually go out and network then sit there at your desk reading this.

If you’re a more seasoned networker the same still holds true. You can read this blog and get some great suggestions (if I do say so myself), but if you don’t implement any of the tips or strategies I suggest they won’t do you a bit of good.

In other words… Get out there and network. You’ll be better for it.

Happy Networking!

Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

Finally, after four consecutive years of declining average rents, the Austin rental market turned around in 2006. Though only a modest increase of 1.4% over the 2005 average rental rates, it’s the change in direction that’s important. Austin absorbed 35% more rental homes in 2006 than 2005. The market is very strong but supply remained […]

Suppose you were a renter interested in a house I own. In fact, it’s a brand new home I just finished building. I tell you that I’ll let you move in for no money down, but you’re going to be paying a monthly amount of $200 to $400 more than the market rent value of […]

So I know it’s been a little crazy over here at somegosoftly, but there’s been so much going on!!
It’s been a lot of fun reliving my trip through the little posts about it. To be sure, there’s so much more that there aren’t words for, everything was so beautiful and life changing. There’s not enough […]

We’re now entering our third day of being iced in here in Austin. I’m beginning to go a little stir crazy, and I doubt that I’m the only one.

The entire city of Austin has literally bit completely shut down for the last 3 days. Nobody (in their right mind) is going anywhere… Yet somehow I keep getting my morning newspaper and my mail. How is that possible?

I’ve never met my newspaper carrier. All I know is that she drives a white truck and usually goes past my house at about 5am. This week she’s also my hero! How do they find these people?

Austin American Statesman newspaper delivery application:

7. Are you able to lift up to 50 pounds?

8. Can you drive in rain, sleet, freezing rain, hail, snow, and on roads with a half inch of ice on them?

9. Can you do that one handed while also flinging a newspaper within 10 feet of the front door of the appropriate homes?

Needless to say I’m impressed.

Hopefully we’ll be able to get out of the house tomorrow and get back to work.

Happy Networking!

Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

Austin is covered in ice as I type. You’d think weather like this would keep people indoors, but if my neighborhood is any indication, weather below freezing prompts everyone to get out and have a walk!
I walked my youngest daughter around the block to a friend’s house this morning and saw more fellow neighbors […]

This is from the Austin Business Journal. It mainly discusses apartment rentals in Austin but the same econimic rules apply to houses and duplexes. I’ll also be posting my Rental Market update and 2006 summary soon. We’ve finally turned the corner and rents started heading back up in 2006 after 4 years in a row […]

If you’re in Austin, Texas you’re probably working from home like me today rather than trying to slide your car around on the hills and bridges of Austin.

Today face-to-face meetings are impractical and all of the regular meetings that you would usually attend have been cancelled. Plus you probably have even more time available than usual since you didn’t have to hassle with any type of commute.

Therefore and henceforth by the lack of power vested in me by some non-existent authority I decree today to be: Follow-up Day!

What a great time to pick up the phone and reach out to all of those people you’ve been meaning to follow-up with, but haven’t had a chance. I’m even a little ashamed to admit that I have a number of them myself. (How else do you think I came up with such a great idea?)

If the people you’d like to follow-up with are also here in Austin or Dallas or Waco or you get the idea, then they’re probably more reachable than they might ordinarily be.

Only have an office number and they’re not in the office? Start with an e-mail and ask if there’s a number that they can be reached at. I’m willing to bet you’ll get a pretty quick reply in most cases.

Take advantage of this adversity to take your 2007 goals and networking to the next level. Make today your own Follow-up Day!

Happy Networking!

Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

Did you need to follow-up with me? Feel free to give me a call: 512-689-5595

I’m home! What an amazing month. I figure the easiest way to do this is post as if it happened that day. So keep an eye out all day tomorrow, as I update my travel journal. Fortunately they shut the city down, I have nothing better to do!