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🤝 Strategic Networking

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• Most job seekers don’t have a networking problem. They have a messaging problem. (Read)

• Harsh networking truth: Connecting is only half the job done in networking (Read)

📤 Career Insights

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• 9 Things NOT to Say in an Interview (and What to Say Instead) (Read)

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DEEP DIVE
⭐ Featured Article

How I Flipped a Bad Google Review into a Big Win

I received my first bad review in twenty years and shared it with my 400K subscribers. The result? It was a major boon to my business.

I never thought that a bad review could change my business … for the better.

Back in October, I wrote an article about how I removed a member from a networking group due to poor attendance and for poaching our members for her competing BNI chapter where she was the president.

In the article, I explained how I was met with unexpected hostility and threats from this respective member.

I wasn't prepared for the level of backlash that ensued after this attorney member threatened litigation and the posting of unfavorable reviews.

In my article, I primarily focused on her bullying techniques and how I handled it.

Article

After the article posted, the feedback and support I received from my community was overwhelming.

I became determined to turn this negative experience into a valuable lesson, and pondered how I could learn and grow from it.

❤️ An Unexpected Surge of Support

I was deeply moved by the outpouring of support and encouragement.

To my surprise, people were reaching out to me in so many positive and different ways:

Direct Messages

Email

Comments

This sharing experience resulted in significantly expanding my network, forging new friendships, strategic partnerships, and client relationships.

After receiving these messages of encouragement, I felt inspired and rejuvenated to help others.

I wanted to contribute positively to the conversation.

So, I focused on the negative Google review the former member had left for me.

🧲 Converting a Bad Review into a Lead Magnet

Have you ever dealt with a negative review on Google?

It's often an unexpected and unpleasant experience.

It's especially frustrating if you acted in good faith and genuinely tried to do the right thing.

I decided to post a response in the Google review.

In it, I included a link to my Substack article so Google users could get the complete picture.

I soon found Google users reaching out to me who read the review.

They sympathized with my plight and shared similar stories.

The result?

I was able to build valuable relationships and secure new business.

Have you ever experienced an undeserved negative review?

What was your reaction?

Consider flipping the script and reframing the situation.

You might be surprised by the show of support you receive.

TOOLS

How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential

Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.

No wonder 10K+ everyday people are taking the chance on Pacaso.

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.

Invest While You Still Can

_{Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.}