Posts Tagged ‘Networking’

Business networking is a great way to build your personal sphere of influence. If you do a quick Internet search or read a local business paper, you are likely to find several local Chamber and professional events that will help you to make key business contacts. However, many professionals miss opportunities to develop these relations because of poor networking skills. While meeting people in a social setting may be easy, developing a business relationship with other professionals in an effective manner is an important skill to master. Here are some basic networking tips that will help most every professional succeed in any business networking environment:

• Your primary goal is to build a relationship, not get a sale. Start by showing genuine interest, and ask some key questions about how you may help other professionals. As a rule, you will want to be interested in others, more than being interesting yourself.
• Let go of your sales presentation. This is a new concept to many, as the purpose is to meet people and drive more sales into your business. However, very few if any networking attendees are at the event as buyers. Thus, you should listen to other professionals and be supportive with leads, tips, and ideas that he or she may use for business development. Focus on the needs of others, and you will stand out in a crowd.
• Create a reason for follow-up with others. When providing some tips or referrals, offer to meet with your new contact in the near future to discuss how the two of you may work together to capture more business. Remember, people like to do business with friends, so build a friendship with your new business contact.
• Do not just randomly hand out your card to others. Often new networkers think that the goal is to hand out and pick up as many cards as possible. The real goal is to meet and develop relations with a few people who will help you to create additional business through a collaboration of thoughts, ideas, and resources.
• Always bring a large supply of business cards. You will exchange many cards at the event, and may be judged by your card after you leave the event. Thus, you will want to make sure your card is printed on nice card-stock. Avoid cards printed on your home computer, and make sure the info is correct. When you exchange cards with others, make some personal notes about your new contact. Noting the time and place of your meeting will help you to reference your contact later.
• Make sure to follow-up with your contact immediately. Email the individuals you met, and continue to lend support to solving a simple business challenge. It is also a great idea to call him or her, and seek opportunities to meet to share business resources in person or during a scheduled phone call. Finally, sending nice to meet you cards in the mail is a very effective and often forgotten skill. You will set yourself apart from many networkers, and you will leave your new contact with a very favorable impression about your personal character.

Always remember that building rapport with your new contacts is the most important step in networking. People tend to do business with individuals that they know and trust. If you keep they focus on others, learn about their business, and build a solid rapport, they will likely ask you about your business and then you will have created a very solid business prospect. Always remember to be more interested than interesting, and you will attract individuals who want to know more about your business, and how they can help you to succeed.