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Make Business Networking Profitable With Five Strategies
By admin | November 13, 2009
New clients are generally developed through the contacts we have made with other people. Business networking meetings and events provide the opportunity to enlarge the contact list especially when we build and cherish quality relations. Networking is not all about attending such events, visiting a networking group, have gossip with many people and collect as many business cards as possible. Business networking is all about building long lasting relationships and the networking events have huge potential for new relationships. Here come some strategies to make profits from networking:
Go for an appropriate networking event according to your interest. Good networking can be done only by attending business conferences, trade exhibitions and business networking events where you expect people of your business category to come. Going on every meeting does not generate good results.
Effective networking does not spell out making relationships with every one at a business meeting. Your focus should be quality instead of quantity. So meet and follow only those who match your interests. You must have seen some people in these events talking to one person while looking around. These people know about the networking rules well they are looking for the next victim actually. They just don’t stick to one person for too long, rather they excuse themselves after ten minutes or so by saying” it was nice meeting you”. Then they move on to the next person of group of their interest. Don’t just go to everyone. Focus on quality of contacts not quantity.
Be prepared to make your first impression everlasting. You have only one chance to build first impression. So do it right because if it’s done wrong, can’t be corrected afterwards. Factors which make up this first impression include your handshake style, your smile, confidence and the overall thoughtfulness. Handshake should be confident and firm to show your openness. Meet people with a true smile on the face and eye contact. Observe their eye color during your introduction. Listen to their introduction carefully and show your interest by asking to repeat their name if they don’t say it loudly. Ask them what they do before telling anything about you. Continue the conversation about their business, give comments and ask details about their business. Show your interest which will create their interest for you.
Talk clearly and concisely about your business. Put emphasis on important words. Prepare an introduction and presentation for your business. Introduction will elaborate what you do actually. It explains that what you exactly have to offer. The intro should be interesting enough for other people to ask questions about your business. When they ask, present your business intro in front of them. But always be genuine and truly honest. Never tell misleading stories as trust is the basic factor for any relation.
Invest on follow up. After the initial meeting you must follow up the people immediately, who you want to continue the relation with. Send handwritten notes to show your willingness and interest in continuing the relation.
Watch the video related to business networking
www.yourbusinesschannel.com for business networking advice Ivan Misner explains how many businesspeople struggle with networking – while they know that a business networking strategy is a critical part of business success, and they might be very confident in other areas of their work, networking presents a big challenge to them. In this new business TV show, BNI founder Dr Ivan Misner shares his latest business networking advice on removing the trauma from networking events. For more …
Help answer the question about business networking
Is business networking a scam or is it for real?A "potential friend" , that is, I dont know this person but would like to get to know them better is offering me a business networking oppurtunity. I've never done this and he would like me to attend a private seminar to discuss business with him. When I heard I need to put money into it to make money, I became skeptical. Can somebody tell me if this proposal of his is a fraud or a scam against me or something I might want to consider if its not. For example, things that I should look out for or consider or disregard. Thanks.
About Author
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Topics: Networking | 10 Comments »
November 13th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Dr. Misner has been the visionary & brand leader for local, SMBs for decades. These 10 commandments are essential.
What tools might allow networkers to multiply the effectiveness of the time they spend meeting face-to-face with fellow business owners? How can they interconnect with each others’ networks to generate & track more referrals?
This would multiply the value of their chapter membership while validating their investment.
– - Tim
November 13th, 2009 at 9:12 am
You shouldn't be skeptical at all. What business is he going to show you? Networking businesses can be benefitial both finanically as well as personally. I've been in network marketing for years and it gives people a huge income opportunity. What most people don't understand is that it's a business, not a job. You have to build a business which takes some time, but the opportunity is incredible to be able to become wealthy as long as you follow a curtain pattern that each business has put together. Do not diviate from the ones that are successful and you will become successful. I came across a blog that will help you understand a lot of different things regarding these types of businesses. They're incredible. I suggest you go and listen to the opportunity and ask questions and see if it's something for you. There is no harm in that, it's not going to cost you anything to take a look, so what's the problem? If you want to do business with them, then do it, if you don't want to then just simply say no thank you. But at least take a look at the opportunity and see what type of business and what's involved. that's the best advice I can give you.
Here's a blog you can take a look at that will give you some information about your questions.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:41 am
LinkedIn is a very good one
November 14th, 2009 at 10:52 am
You can research some of the underlining statistics regarding the fact that most of the people who play golf are businesspeople. Checkout some national golfing magazines for some inspiration.
All the best to you.
November 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
November 14th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
join the local chamber of commerce
November 14th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Hi Jon,
The list is fairly long, but here are a few starting points.
Get connected with other folks at http://www.linkedin.com and also consider searching on "business communities" for others.
Consider getting involved with Business Forums and raise the awareness there about your website.
Consider writing articles about business communities and other topics that will show you are an expert on this topic. These can then be distributed through article submission websites.
Consider writing a news release and distribute it through the Internent news network with sites like http://www.prweb.com or http://www.prleap.com.
This merely a starting point and it will require time and manual labor to get through this. There really isn't a single quick fix solution as you are competing against other social communities.
Good luck.
November 15th, 2009 at 3:00 am
chamber of commerce would be my first choice because they are closely related to your local area. unless ur in an online business than may be you'd want to look at something else
November 15th, 2009 at 4:10 am
The most open one I have found is a new one called Rebja Business Network http://rebja.com
They have lots of small businesses and most of them are open to networking without creating a hierarchy.
The site is all business owners rather than employees of companies and they are extremely helpful.
Great site!
November 15th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Yellow pages are the right place to search for.