Effective business networking is the linking together of individuals who, through trust and relationship building, become mutual advertisers for one another.
1. Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust, relationships, and seeing how you can help others and their businesses.
2. Ask yourself what are your goals and intentions for participating in networking meetings? You will then pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.
3. Visit as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Are the participants professional and have legitement business? Many groups will allow you to visit one or two times before joining.
4. Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible, create better alliances and give back to groups that have helped you.
5. Ask open-ended questions in networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how and not yes or no questions. This style of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them. Remember to be an attentive listener.
6. Become known as a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to other and also builds your status to an adviser position.
7. Have a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom, and what makes you special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others. Always remember to come prepared with referrals for each business present. This will encourage the other businesses and individuals to recipicate.
8. Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, “How may I help you?” and you freeze with no proactive answer.
9. Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, call the referral(s) within 48 hours. Be patient by knowing that and your referrals will grow.
10. Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Also, call those companies, individuals and organizations you meet that could be a strategic alliance for shared advertising (you advertise them and they advertise you). Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together and share ideas, go to coffee, lunch or have them over to dinner. Long lasting relationships begin when we let who we are be seen.
Have a wonderfully productive day!
Cheers – Dotti Durtschi – Strategic Marketing Consultant for United Women Consulting, LLC
United Women Consulting
