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Winter News
17 Great Networking Tips
To Enjoy Success Networking. If done properly this can be a very rewarding method of relationship building and lead generation in any business.
This is not a task. It is an art. You are the artist of your relationships.
The key to successful networking is as simple as making sure you do it all the time. Become practised at making sure you use every single social situation to help build your network.
Now, I must impress at this point that I am not talking about becoming the boring idiot we all hate at parties. You know the one. Never shuts about his business… talks about himself incessantly… and waves his business card around loudly all night until everyone at the party is trying to hide it in the guacamole dip.
No, you don’t want to be this person. But you do want to Network WELL!! Here are a few tips.
1. Get to know your host Only enter a room once you know the background of your host and any guests you want to meet. This takes just a few moments on the Internet but gives you the leading edge (plus something to talk about).
2. Know the hot topics in the industry of your host You are never going to look boorish when you ask knowledgeable questions about your hosts business.
3. Want to be interesting and knowledgeable? Read the paper every day. Even if only for a few minutes and you only read the lead paragraphs.
4. Relax Ensure you are as relaxed and as stress free as possible prior to the function. This was you will look at ease with yourself and therefore more inviting.
5. Know who you are and what you are about Prepare a short and snappy introduction to yourself that can be used when you are asked what you do. It is called Successful Internet Strategies” Practice yours a few times before using it.
6. Posture First impressions are everything and yours should be one of relaxed confidence. Remember meeting new people in a foreign environment is stressful for everyone so you may need to focus in loosening up.
7 .Smile Your smile is your warmth. It is your welcoming sign.
8. Eye Contact This is how a connection is made.
9. Don’t fumble at the try line. Keep your business card in your pocket. When the time is right you don’t want to spend 5 minutes hunting though your handbag or briefcase!
10. You, you, you not me, me, me Remember people love to talk about themselves so I find “Hi, tell me about your business” works a charm Immediately you have made a friend.
11. Listen This is the greatest compliment you can pay someone and you may learn something important for later. Remember you are not trying to sell yourself or your product. You are trying to make an acquaintance
12. Don’t try to say something too clever Networking is not a competition of who is smartest. It is about a simple comment to establish common ground. Many a major deal has been consummated with a simple “Boy it is hot here” or “So, I hear you are a rugby fan too”
13. Make it easy for them to remember your name Studies show that people often forget the first 15 seconds of a conversation so they have already forgotten who you are. At a natural pause in the conversation casually drop in “You may not have caught my name earlier. It is John Smith.”
14. Timing is everything Try to spend at least five minutes with each person. This gives enough time for the connection to be made. The exception to this is if the person starts looking at their watch or around the room. It is better for you to break away gracefully than to be asked to leave.
15. The end Ending the meeting gracefully is one of the hardest aspects if networking. Usually a simple “will you please excuse me. I see someone I need to catch up with. It has been great speaking with you and I hope to speak with you soon” will certainly do.
16. But what if it is the boss? If the person you are speaking with is of higher seniority try adding something like “I don’t want to monopolise your time. There must be lots of other people waiting to speak to you” This will make them realise what a discerning character you are.
17. The follow-up note Maybe the single most important thing you can do in networking is sending a quick note the next day (or email!!!!!). This stands out as few people bother to do it. It shows that you took the time to write a personal note and that you not only remember the conversation but really valued it. It also serves to remind the person of who you are and what you do.
Networking is an amazingly effective tool to grow your business. It is how we meet our future customers, suppliers and colleagues and yet it is so often done badly or not at all. Either because we take it for granted “of course I network…I go to lots of functions and tell people all about me. It doesn’t work though because no one ever rings me” or is considered too hard “I am really shy and don’t like talking to strangers… strangely my business isn’t doing so well”.
We have to get past these images of networking. Networking isn’t about selling and it isn’t about putting you out there and exposing yourself in an aggressive manner. It is the art of engaging someone in conversation that ultimately leads to a mutually beneficial relationship. It is that simple and if done well and will make a world of difference to your business. And you never know you may even make a few friends along the way.
© P England
"Paul England is a qualified marketing advisor who runs a consultancy practise from his home at Orewa Beach. He specialises in business growth and market planning, advertising that brings results, and successful internet strategies. Paul has a strong background in advertising, sales, marketing, and e-commerce and co-owns a successful export business. He has had articles published in the NZ Herald and has been a Business in the Community Mentor." [ Top ]
Give me a call for a free marketing chat - I know how to listen
Paul England for media marketing 36 Royalty Rise, Red Beach, Auckland, New Zealand Ph: 09 426-9080 Mob: 021 123-0425 email: paul@businessweb.co.nz I look forward to hearing from you
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