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13 Networking Secrets
By admin | March 17, 2009
This article is written especially for entrepreneurs and small business owners and anyone who needs to meet a lot of people and build relationships in order to promote and increase their business.
I built my marketing consulting business through extensive networking and here are My 13 Networking Secrets to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck and Time….
1. Research Events
Make sure to research the networking events you want to attend before you attend them so you don’t waste your time at events or meetings that may not have your target market readily available at them. To find local events in your area, first find all of your area chambers of commerce, there might be many of them and any specialty associations or organizations that would pertain to your business or target market. Then locate all of your area large venues, meeting rooms, convention centers, concert halls and anywhere an event could be held more than likely they will have a website with an events calendar. Finally, read and go online to look up events in your local newspaper on their business calendar or in the main section, inside business publications and social magazines (plus watch TV and listen to radio shows who will promote events these usually get promoted really close to the event however to plan).
2. Be Prepared
Now that you know where to network, make sure you are prepared for the event. Order yourself a name badge that you can wear to all events and even out running errands you never know where you’ll meet a potential client! It is important of course to also make sure to use your logo, company colors and a good, descriptive title under your name on your badge for branding as well as it adds credibility and professionalism.
3. Keep Materials On Hand
Make sure to always keep any of your sales flyers, brochures and business cards in your car at all times, keeping them current and never running out; you never know when you will be able to display or hand them out at an event or meeting.
4. Your Commercial
Practice your 10 sec, 30 sec and 60 sec commercials because most events and meetings will ask for different lengths of commercials if you get a chance to stand up and tell who you are and what you do. The 10 sec commercial is for casual one-on-one conversation or a quick introduction typically and the 30 or 60 second ones are for stand up opportunities. Stick to your name, your business name, and a one sentence description about what you do and/or a question to make people think. Then make sure you mention your website and some sort of call to action.
5. Timing
Always arrive at meetings and events a few minutes early and be prepared to stay late and meet those people you don’t know yet, meet and get to know EVERYONE! Also, you should attend a function for the networking purposes (that’s why it’s important to research which events), not for a specific speaker (unless you are going purely for self-improvement); if the speaker turns out to be good then that’s a bonus! It’s tempting to hang out with the same people however you want to continually look out for those you don’t know and go up and introduce yourself to them.
6. Go with a Goal
If you are at all shy or afraid of going to an event by yourself or networking in a group of strangers you will want to go with a goal. First of all, know the types of people you want to meet; do you want to meet prospects who are your target market, referral sources or just friends? Say you want to meet 10 people then make sure you introduce yourself to and ask for 10 people’s business cards.
7. First Impressions
Making a good first impression is important and it’s the one thing you can’t make up for if it goes wrong. Practice your handshake and eye contact prior to attending events to make sure you have a firm handshake, not limp or half grasp and that you are consistently looking into the eyes of the person you are talking to rather than looking around the room for the next person to talk to. For the best results, act like you are really interested in each person you talk to, asking pertinent questions to get to know them better and steer the conversation so you can ease away quickly while still showing you are interested.
8. Card Passing No No
Never “lead” with a card when you enter a room or circle of people, “leave” the card or wait until someone asks you for your card. Don’t presume everyone wants your card. If they don’t want it, they won’t do anything with it anyways so why waste it on them? It’s more important for you to get their card because you want to build your database, email marketing list and you want to be able to follow up with them. You can always mail them your card later if you have theirs; they will appreciate it more and possibly think more highly of you since you took the time to follow up.
9. Build Relationships
Your goal of networking should be to build rapport and long-lasting relationships with the people that you meet, it should not be to SELL, SELL, SELL; that’s a big turnoff. Don’t expect people to use your services the first time they meet you; if they do, great, but don’t depend on it. More than likely it will take 5-7 meetings before people will warm up to you so be prepared to network in certain organizations you choose for some time, try each of them for at least 6-12 months or one year of membership. Remember however, you will get out of a membership what you put into it so if you are not active or don’t attend a lot of functions, you won’t meet enough people in order to reach your desired ‘expert’ status or ‘top of mind awareness’.
10. Help Others
Another main reason for your networking should be to give; give referrals to others you meet, give free ‘expert’ advice about what you know, give suggestions on business or practices, make connections between people who need to do business with one another, even if that doesn’t involve you or your business. If you make this the main reason for networking, karma will reward you with more than enough referrals and direct business that you could ever expect.
11. Don’t ‘Feature Dump’
‘Feature Dumping’ occurs when you’re talking to people and you proceed to list all your services, benefits, features and everything about you and your business when maybe no one even asked you. You ideally want to find out what the other person wants and needs by asking questions and getting them to tell you. Their needs and wants might have something to do with your business or they might not. If they need your services or products, then of course after you LISTEN to what they need, you can respond with the solution to that need (NOT EVERYTHING, just that need).
12. Take Notes
When you ask for someone’s business card and talk to them briefly, remember something unique about them or your conversation or something you need to follow up with them about and write a note on the back of their card. You can do this right then and there or wait until you get to your car. I also suggest writing on the back bottom of each card where you met them, use an acronym if need be. This is good for sorting in your database by group, organization or event for follow up letters, etc.
13. Follow Up
This is the most critical part of any networking NO MATTER WHAT! If you aren’t doing your follow up, you’ve wasted your time and money attending the event. Follow up on every person within 48 hours. Call the hot prospects and email or mail them info about how you can help them (assuming they told you what they need/want from you). Call, email and/or drop a note to the warm prospects or referral sources and email or drop a note to the colder ones or those who you aren’t sure about yet.
If you have an email newsletter, be very careful NOT to just add anyone you meet networking to your list; they need to opt in either in person when you meet them (you can write a note about adding them to your email on the back of their card) or you can send them a follow up email telling them about your newsletter and offer to sign them up or respond if they want to sign up for it.
I hope these tips have helped you now GET OUT NETWORKING!
Watch the video related to woman networking
Everyday at davidwygant.com I post a new blog that shows men how to attract women everywhere. Do you desire to be able to walk up to any woman without using silly stupid pickup lines? Check this one secret out.
Help answer the question about woman networking
How does one go about making a networking group a membership organization?I'm founder of a private local networking for business women. The group has grown so much that I'm ready to take it to the next level by making it a membership organization. How does one go about doing that?
Thank you!
About Author
(c) Copyright 2008 K.Sawa Marketing Katrina Sawa is an Award-Winning Relationship Marketing Coach who’s helped hundreds of small business owners take dramatic steps in their businesses to get them to the next level in business, revenues and life. She offers one-on-one coaching, group coaching and do-it-yourself marketing planning products. Go online now to get started with her Free Report and Free Audio at http://jumpstartyourmarketing.com !
Topics: Networking | 18 Comments »
March 17th, 2009 at 9:38 am
You should have made the move on the black dress at 2:22…at least get an upskirt…
March 17th, 2009 at 10:27 am
sounds like this guy masters his fruit a lot.
March 17th, 2009 at 9:45 am
You can't reclaim the media until you reclaim the political process. George Bush has destroyed this country, and has turned our 'Fourth Estate' into nothing more than a puppet for his puppet regime (that's really controlled by Big Dick Cheney).
Thomas Jefferson once said: "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." That time is way past due!
Until the most corrupt administration and U.S. Congress in history are either impeached or tried for high treason, the media will remain a shell of its former self, without any integrity and without any credibility.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Reality check.
The philippines has good sound laws but corrupt political influences always delay the implementation of these laws.
By the time these laws are enforced, they become so obsolete that another law must be passed (just like the politicians who regularly pass gas – i.e. fart through their mouth).
March 17th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Can you elaborate??
Or is this comment as stupid as it looks…?
March 18th, 2009 at 2:06 am
i think we should be the judge of good looking or not .. you dont have a pic in your profile
March 17th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Think are cheating not only yourself, but your potential employers and the public by not studying the material and knowing it by heart and be able to answer these questions without posting them on a public forum.
The above are basis questions that you need to know; if you don't learn them now, you will not be truly qualified as a forensic investigator.
March 18th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
How is not looking good ever an advantage? Are you thinking of picking up girls while getting cosmetic surgery?
March 18th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I think Hillery Clinton summarized Saddam's relationship with 9/11 best ..
In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
As a sanctuary and an aid to al qaeda the threat of WMD including nuclear possibilities made him an important target for the well being of the US and the world. Afghanistan alone is not a threat , it did not have the capabilities of Iraq which is why both areas became targets..
March 18th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Tsubasa Chronicle
Tenchi GXP
Tenchi In Tokyo
Also read the Tenchi Muyo Mangas: No Need For Tenchi!, The All New Tenchi Muyo!, and Tenchi Muyo! Susami Stories
More animes:
Shaman King
.hack//legend of the twilight
Love Hina
Zatch Bell
MAR
Those are the only ones I can think of…
March 19th, 2009 at 8:42 am
LMAO that made me laugh too.
March 19th, 2009 at 6:54 am
If it doesn't give aid and comfort to the enemy -the far left is not interested . If the blood being shed is the enemy -then the world is not safe according to liberals .Where was the outrage in the drive-by media & the other libs when Nick Berg was so brutally beheaded ? They were saving it for AbuGhrabbe .
March 19th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
i didnt say you ppl couldnt and i do have plenty of movies of me thats better than a pic.
why the hell would you wanna judge another dude though?
March 19th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Is every woman at this mall enormous?
March 19th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
That's a good question. And an easy one to answer. The single most important, vital thing to do is to just talk about this stuff.
Not online, but in the real world. With family, and friends, and co-workers, etc. Even though the Zogby poll shows that a full 50% of Americans believe that something very, very wrong has happened in this country on and since 9/11, it's still a very, very hard thing for people to talk about. The media has people so well conditioned to accept the official line on things and denounce everything else as "wack job conspiracy" that people are afraid to speak their mind. If all of this stuff simply came out of the back closets and internet chat rooms and quiet whispers, and instead was discussed at the family dinner table, or Starbucks, or in classrooms, or at cafeteria tables, etc., we'd be in infinitely better shape. It doesn't take long. I'd suggest that people call into their local radio morning shows on the way to work or school, write a quick letter to the editor of your local newspaper, give a presentation in class, etc. Simple little things like that go a long, long way, and they take very little time.
It take only ten minutes to write a letter to an editor of your newspaper, but that letter can be seen by thousands of people, especially if you live in a big city. But again, the single most important thing is to talk about these things. Talking has the ability to make things real and concrete. It's not an easy subject to talk about, believe me I know, but you'd be shocked as to how many people are already harboring the exact same feelings and doubts inside. If it becomes part of regular discourse EVERYWHERE, than the talking-heads and mass media can longer pretend like it's some kind of a minority belief, especially when all polls show that it's the majority opinion. It genuinely seems like things are getting urgent. If everyone puts 10 minutes a day into discussing the harsh reality of what's going on in America, there can be a HUGE difference made – massive. What's happening in this country simply COULDN'T happen if Americans didn't sit idly by and let it get worse by the day.
Rome fell because its people were too soft and unmotivated to stand up for themselves and instead trusted that someone else was taking care of their problems.
And America succeeded 230 years ago because citizens took action themselves.
God Help America.
March 20th, 2009 at 12:20 am
I'm not sure where you got all of that from, but I think you need to try again. Layout codes are long, but not usually THAT long. I would advise not to use this code.
March 20th, 2009 at 1:54 am
It would seem that they think that younger kids have absolutly no brain.They must be carried through the entire show, because there's no way that kids could catch thing such as an acualy "plot line"
The only thing decent that I've seen is Avatar, it went a bit off (started getting into romance a bit more then they needed to) but was acually good.
It had a plot, was funny, and didn't nurse the views through everthing that happened.
As a result: it was a huge hit with kids, teens, and parents.
We need more cartoons that seem like efferort was put into them.
Not crappy garbage that gets boreing after 2 minutes.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:01 am
ahahhahah u can smile and make this guys day