On the Network: The Best Person to Market Your Business Is…You!
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“On the Network: The Best Person to Market Your Business Is…You!”
Tips on networking include ideas for maximizing the value of contacts and sales leads.
I’m always amazed how many folks talk about networking — yet, when questioned, will admit they’ve rarely if ever benefited from it and are confused about what it really is. To many it’s just another buzz word. However, once you understand the mechanics of effective networking, it’s easy to utilize it as a marketing tool for your business.Networking simply means meeting people who can be of help to you, and being of help to them. It can mean exchanging business contacts, sales leads and resources. For sales people and entrepreneurs, it may mean finding sources of new business opportunities; professional people often use networking to enhance their careers.
Networking opportunities abound all around us. The truth is, any place two or more people gather you may find an opportunity to network. But unless you have specific goals in mind, you’ll waste time networking in the wrong places — or failing to network in the right ones.
Networking For All The Right — Or Wrong — Reasons
First, establish your reasons for networking. Do you want to:
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- locate new business opportunities?
- make professional contacts?
- change jobs in the near future?
- change career direction?
- make friends?
- increase your knowledge of your field or area of interest?
- They collect stacks of business cards without ever connecting with the people.
- They intrude inappropriately on people.
- They have short, superficial interactions with others.
- They talk and focus only on their own agenda. They are not really listening to the other person to gather information.
- They may try to make a "sale" on the spot — it doesn’t matter to them if it’s a networking event, a wedding, or a funeral.
- When in conversation, they’re constantly looking around the room for more opportunities.
- They tend to be aggressive and abrasive, and have little interest in helping others.
- What do the members do for a living?
- Is their daily routine or/and background putting them in contact with the people you need to meet?
- Are the members successful, or do you get that "loser" feeling?
- Do the members appear to have a "win-win" attitude?
- Is there a true atmosphere of sharing and friendship?
- Are most members negative or positive in attitude and behavior?
- Are they eager to share new ideas, or are they tired people just looking for a place to make idle chatter as they rest their feet?
- Go alone — or if you go with someone, split up until the event ends.
- Smile when you walk in the door, and don’t stop until you leave.
- Count out, say, 20 business cards for a large event, fewer for a small one. Promise yourself you won’t leave until you’ve given out all the cards.
- Have a name badge made up with your name and company name. Pin it to your right lapel. When you shake hands, it’s easy to read.
- As you walk around, make eye contact with everybody. The minute you get a return eye contact, smile, extend your hand and simply say "Hi, My name’s —. I’m in the business of (benefit), and you are?" Wait for them to answer.
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
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Articles in our Entrepreneur’s Resource Center appeared in print and online newsletters published previously by the foundation. More than 1,000 articles can be found in the categories below, addressing timeless challenges faced by entrepreneurs of all types.