I’ve been talking a lot about ‘becoming a hub lately’. But, while that’s a nice idea and theory – what can you actually do about it. I can think of at least ten things – can you think of anything to add?

You don’t need to be almost naked on a unicycle to be the center of people’s attention (but it always helps):

• host a directory: consider this brilliant strategy from Eric Brown. The short version: make a list of everyone you refer out to. Who are the complimentary businesses and services you refer your clients to? If you’re a massage therapist, I bet you often refer to (or get asked for referrals to) naturopaths, nutritionists, yoga teachers, chiropractors etc. Make a list of them all. And them put them into a little directory in a word file. Make it look nice. Put everyone’s contact info, bios and photos. And then send it to everyone in the list and say, “Though you should all meet each other. I refer to you all and want you to know that everyone in this list is solid and can be trusted entirely. Is there someone you should be added?” And you become the host of this directory. You’re like the mayor of this town. And people will be thrilled you stepped up and did this. They’re happy for the promotion and happy to help others they respect get more business.

• host a big party: If you can organize a big old party for your niche and the key hubs and influencers in your niche, it can do a lot to set your reputation (if it’s a good party). Some organizations end up doing most of their business by hosting big parties at key times during the year – or in the evenings at trade shows.

• host hubs in an event: But you might also consider the incredible benefits of hosting a smaller party (30-40 people) that focuses entirely on the key hubs and influencers in your scene. The invite might sound something like, “Hey, we’re all working with this same crowd. I thought it might make sense for us to meet and learn about what each other do.” This positions you as a leader in the minds of other leaders. They will absolutely know who you are and what you do by the end of this. No amount of advertising dollars can generate this kind of clarity and goodwill. I heard of a green architect in Victoria who hosted this kind of party. He invited those who’d been voted the 100 leading environmentalists in Victoria together to his studio for a mixer. People were thrilled to be invited and loved the event. My colleagues Robert Middleton and Bill Baren have done similar events where they are hosting key leaders in their field to come together for a weekend to explore possible joint ventures and learn from each other. Brilliant!

• give an award: A lot of businesses secretly hope to get an award. Why not give one? Why not choose a person, non-profit or complimentary business that you think deserves some recognition and give them an award. Host an event for the community to honour them. Get a selection committee together of respected people in the community.

• create a kick ass newsletter: I’m not talking about a typical newsletter. Check out the newsletter we’ve created for e-sage (go to this link and then look for the most recent newsletter). It’s a listing of all the cool workshops, parties, festivals, workshops, movie screenings etc. that celebrate local and green living in Edmonton. This newsletter has become the go-to resource for many in Edmonton to find out what’s going on in town. Create a newsletter that adds value. That let’s people know what happening in their scene. That connects them with good things.

• post cool things on social media: So much to say here. But if people aren’t regularly telling you that you post cool stuff on facebook or twitter, chances are you aren’t. People tell me I post cool things. Make a commitment to only post remarkable and positive things that inspire you. Think of your social media as a channel. What you post is your programming. Just like TV. And, in the TV world, if the programming starts to suck, you lose advertising dollars. In your world, you won’t lose advertising dollars, you’ll lose people’s attention. That’s even worse.

• play match maker when at networking events: An easy thing to do – whenever you go to a party or networking event – be curious about people. Ask them what’s coming up next for them, what they are needing etc. And then connect people with each other. Don’t force it. But pay attention. Having this attitude of giving and real listening also makes you incredibly charming and magnetic. And people are so grateful for this lovely person helping them.

• host networking events: can you host networking shindigs for your scene? Or get involved in ones that already exist? In Edmonton, we’re hosting a monthly Green Drinks for our e-sage group – the response has been wonderful. It’s helping to strengthen e-sage’s position in Edmonton as a hub for local and green living.

• have a hubs database: this is something I wrote about here in my blog. Do this.

• take great care of your database: if the heart of being a good hub is being seen as a source of good things, then having a super up to date, segmented and well organized database matters – so people only get relevant stuff. Make it your (obviously unobtainable) goal to only ever send things that are totally useful to them.

LINK TO HUB MARKETING eBOOK