The kiddies will be back in school next month and life will return to a somewhat normal level for most. You should be thinking of beefing up your networking for the balance of the year. If you are a seasoned networker, these tips are surely nothing new to you. However if you are just getting into the networking scene or find that networking is not paying off for you, these tips should help change things up and make your efforts more successful.
1. Choose your venues wisely. Be sure to attend as many networking events as you can just as guest to get a feel for the group. You want to be sure you are going to connect with like minded business professionals that want to help each other. Try to speak with as many people as you can to make your decision easier.
2. Networking basics should be understood. Most events have food and drink, but don’t loose sight of your networking goals. Just sitting back and waiting for others to approach you does not put you in control of the conversation. Approach others and ask questions about them and their business.
3. Listen, listen and then listen some more. Listing is an important part of networking, while asking a questions or two here and there. Make mental notes of key points you hear (write them down later) and be sure to ask for a business card, but never give your card out unless someone asks for it.
4. While listening find common interests. Gaining trust is huge when building a successful rapport. If you can find common interests to discuss you will start building a relationship that will be priceless.
5. Never, ever hard sell or pitch your business. You need to go into all networking events with a soft-sell approach. You will turn people off if you hard sell; telling people they need your product, they can’t live without it, how great you are and how superior your products are is a No No. Instead build a relationship and listen for problem solving opportunities that may or may not have to do with you and your product.
It may take months to build a relationship that leads to business, but if you repeat these processes over and over within different groups you will get new business and referral business from your efforts.
Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.
