JBN Sponsors Networking With Brooklyn CEO
On a rainy Jan. 23, Chabad Intown on the BeltLine packed in a vibrant crowd bent on maximizing their business savvy for a networking dinner featuring Joe Apfelbaum.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman is always tuned in to relevant and hot topics. On a rainy Jan. 23, Chabad Intown on the BeltLine packed in a vibrant crowd bent on maximizing their business savvy for a networking dinner featuring Joe Apfelbaum, CEO of Ajax Union, a digital marketing agency in Brooklyn. His working topic was “15 Minutes or Less: Three Ways to Generate ROI on LinkedIn.”
Eli Brafman of EB Catering Co., himself a Brooklyn native, matched the youthful vibe by presenting a buffet of colorful Mexican cuisine. For an hour prior to the dinner, music was booming as young and older businesspeople had their phones out establishing contacts.
Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman welcomed the group with Jewish Business Network’s mission to nurture the teaching of Judaism in conjunction with personal growth and success. His d’var Torah told of Aaron’s approach to wielding a staff that turned into a snake in front of Pharaoh, whose own staff did the same. Aaron’s powerful lesson by turning the snake back into a staff showed his superiority and restraint. “Attitudes, even if rebuking or guiding, should come from a place of love not harshness. Aaron, a kohen, represents love and kindness and Moses represents truth,” Schusterman said.
Apfelbaum was introduced by Laura Dorman, a local voice talent, who touted his new approaches to “Dialing for Dollars” for better results using today’s technology, which Joe uses to train everyone up the line to billionaires.
Tzitzit flying, Apfelbaum, a father of 5, came out “mojovating” and rapping about his being “a wannabe gansta frum rapper,” as the music pulsated.
He proceeded to extol the benefits of using LinkedIn for brand development, B2B digital marketing and development, recruiting, and effective lead generation as he has done in features in Forbes magazine, Fox Business, and The Wall Street Journal. Here are some of his highlights:
- A reported 650 million are on LinkedIn. It’s available 24/7
- The best clients come from referrals. People don’t want to be sold, but they love to buy. Just look at Walmart.
- Don’t deal with the bottom of the barrel (broad audiences). Get referrals from people who like and trust you.
- No need to go viral. A thousand of the right people seeing you 1,000 times a year is the best formula.
- The average CEO has only 930 connections.
- Start with a plan. The right strategy will save you a decade.
- Great hires come from LinkedIn. Bad hires can come from Craigslist
- Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. He credited Jerry Seinfeld with exclaiming, “Ninety percent of people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy.”
- Three simple keys to using LinkedIn 15 minutes a day: 1) Post 2) Engage 3) Control the message. Think about your message. For example, Volvo=Safety, Google=Search.
- Greet properly. No “Hello,” No “What’s Up?” Show appreciation. Strive to be appropriate. Happy Chanukah or Happy Birthday is OK when real. If you’re reaching out to someone in the South, start with how nice the weather is.
- Facebook and Instagram are not the right platform. They are all about fun, family and fake lives. TikTok is too “ADD.”
- Set up your contacts on Google Alert.
The millennials showed up to learn more about LinkedIn: Eric Elan, Ashley Berfield, Elaine Berkovich and Reid Shapiro.
Earlier in the networking hour, Eric Elan, a Georgia Tech grad, head of Pro Text, said he came to increase his velocity in networking for his automatic SBA loan closing startup.
Reid Shapiro from East Cobb came to better market his consumer media video production company. Zachary Diamond, in the process of getting his doctorate at Georgia Tech in medical physics, enjoys the challenges on LinkedIn. Andrew Mackler, a salesforce administrator here for Dallas-based Medicision, came for the networking opportunity. Marc Gault, Sea Change Properties, wanted some tips in marketing to flip houses and buy distressed property. Brian Friedman, a real estate investor, mentioned, “I came to learn how to maximize the use of social media, turn obstacles into strengths and overcome limiting beliefs.” The wine certainly also boosted the atmosphere.
Watch for JBN’s upcoming events:
Dan Ariely, a psychologist and author, speaks about “Unraveling the Mysteries of Human Behavior,” 7:30 p.m. Feb 9 at the Academy of Medicine, 875 West Peachtree St. Tickets start at $20 for the first bookers.
A real estate symposium is set for March 25.
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