How
to Maximize the Benefits of a Networking Event?
by Biba F. Pedron
Everyone
needs to network: entrepreneurs, small business owners, job
seekers!
But does everyone maximize the benefits of networking?
The
purpose of networking is to build relationships so you will
get leads from someone you know, or from someone who knows
someone you know. When you attend a networking event the purpose
is to meet business people from various industries to get
exposure.
What
networking is not?
Networking
is not a numbers game; you need to focus on quality and not
on quantity. Some people think that they had a successful
event when they have collected 30, 40 or more business cards,
but they are missing the real point. How many of these 30
or 40 people will you be able to follow-up? How many of these
30 or 40 will follow-up with you?
What is the purpose to collect a huge number of business cards
that will end up in a shoe-box on one of your shelves?
Networking
is not a place to sell. You have to be prepared to give your
elevator pitch to introduce yourself, not give a sales pitch.
If you attend an event expecting to find a client to close
a sale right away, chances are you will be very disappointed.
Furthermore the other attendees might not appreciate your
attitude.
What
networking is?
Networking
is more than just shaking hands and collecting business cards.
It is about building relationships and being committed
to help other business professionals.
It is about the quality of your contacts and not the amount
of your contacts.
It is about consistency. The best is to belong to
two or three groups, attend their events regularly, get to
know the other members, and in exchange they will get to know
you and trust you. When you see the same people over and over
you develop a strong and relationship with them. The benefit
of building relationships with a committed group of people
will result in new leads for your business.
It is about patience. The benefit will not
appear overnight, and this is why you need to follow up with
your contacts. Networking is like dating, one meeting is not
enough to know someone. It will probably take some time, some
meetings, some lunches or some drinks before you really start
doing business together.
Here are some tips on how to maximize the benefits
of a networking event.
*
Be prepared when you attend a networking event. Know
your goals. Are you looking for leads, partners,
new clients, services?
* Bring your business cards and a pen to take notes
on the back of the cards you receive.
* Have an effective 15 to 30 second elevator pitch.
Learn how to sell yourself before your services or products.
People want to hear about you first and when they know you
and trust you, they will buy your services or refer you to
someone else.
* Have a brochure and/or a web site. Some
people will probably want to hear more about your business
later, so give them the opportunity to get the information
they are looking for.
* Meet people, ask about their business or services.
Be curious and ask about them. people love to speak about
themselves, so ask questions and listen to their answers.
* Be a problem solver. people will be more
interested in you if you tell them how you can solve their
problem instead of just hearing your story.
* Go to people; don’t wait for them to come
to you. Some people are very shy, they will be very
happy if you make the first move.
* Go to events with a friend, a colleague, a client, and introduce
people to each other.
* Send a thank you note or email to your new contacts.
Thank them for their time and reintroduce yourself in a few
lines. They met lots of people during the event and your business
card doesn’t say everything about you. So it is good
to reinforce your introduction.
* Give them the link to your web site. Tell
them about your newsletter, if you have one. This is the best
way to stay in touch on a regular basis.
* Schedule follow-up meetings with the people
you had a good connection with, or if you think that you can
help each other.
* Do it again and again. You will see that
networking can expand your contacts, which will definitely
help grow your business.
Stop wasting your time attending every event and start
growing your business with networking, learn more about “The
Power of Networking”,
In this 5 step program, you will find everything you need
on how to maximize your networking results.
You will learn: how to create an outstanding business card
– how to polish an elevator pitch which will hook your
audience so that people will remember you – how to create
a 7 step follow-up system to turn more prospects into clients
– how to use your newsletter to promote your products
or services without hard selling – how to create strategic
alliances to grow our business faster. You can read more about
it at “The
Power of Networking” at www.powerofnetworkingsecrets.com
(c)
2005 Biba F. Pédron
About
the author
Biba
F. Pédron, marketing consultant, is the founder
of Biba4Network,
that specializes in Networking for small business owners in
the greater New York Area; and Focus
on Career, that helps solo entrepreneurs start and grow
their businesses.
Biba is the author of “Start
Your Dream Business Today! The Proven 11 Steps to Start and
Grow Your Own Business”.
For more information or to receive Free Networking tips, Resources,
Articles & Tips like this one to Grow your Business, please
visit www.biba4network.com
NOTE:
You’re welcome to “reprint” this article
online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including
the “about the author” info at the end), and you
send a copy of your reprint Biba F.
Pedron
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