subject: Steps To Networking Success [print this page] Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, feel like you have the gift of gab or have no way of knowing the way to produce conversation, networking understanding is very essential for your company success. There is a notion in business that I believe the majority of us subscribe to that says all matters being equal, people will have business dealings with and refer business to those they know, like and trust. And the cornerstone to this is obviously being in position to develop bonds.
Think about networking as the cultivation of mutually beneficial, win-win bonds. In order to be win-win, there must be GIVE and take (notice the emphasis on give). Networking should not be viewed as occasions where you go to sell your company. When effective networking is happening, the parties involved actively share ideas, info, resources, etc.
Ok, so you know that you ought to be networking because it is probably one of the most cost-effective lead generation activities when used wisely, appropriately and professionally. But, perhaps that seems simpler to say than do. Here's a seven step plan to really get started with networking for your business.
1. Check out several groups to find the best chemistry and perceived value. Most groups will allow you to come and visit at least a couple of before you have to join. Go and ask about to determine why others have joined and what value they get out of belonging.
Resist the urge to just go join the Chamber of Commerce simply since everyone informs you that's what you need to do. If that's not where your target group can be located, then you might just be wasting a substantial period of time ( and money).
I'm not telling you not to join the Chamber. Just be clear about what you'd like to get out of this or any other group. If it's to find prospective clients or referral sources, then you have to be networking where those resources can be seen.
2. When you locate a group or two, join and go to all the meetings you can. Don't go one time or twice expecting things to take place and then if they don't quit. Building mutually beneficial, win-win bonds will take a while.
The contacts you make need to constantly see your face and hear your message. Continual contact with other people in time will open opportunities for you to go deeper and find out more about each others thoughts, ideas and capabilities with regards to your respective businesses.
Know, like, and trust more often than not only happens over the course of time. Being regular and persistent will settle.
3. Get involved - be visible. Do as much as possible to make yourself more visible within the organization. Volunteer to help with meetings, be on committees, or become a leader or board member.
Being involved does a number of things for you and your company. First, you'll get more opportunities to establish connections and get to know a few of the contacts you've made even better. Secondly, the higher the visibility you have in the group, the less you'll have to work to make new connections. Instead, as new men and women come into the group, they will likely seek you out as they view you as a leader within the organization.
4. Keep your circles of contacts informed. Don't just assume that running in to someone once a month (or even once every week) will make them start doing business with you or sending it your way. You should inform them of what's going on when you're not at that particular group as a way to inform and educate them.
Send them invitations to your events or open houses. Send them email or letters to share big news or success stories, especially anything of relevance to them or those in their networks of contacts. If you think that you have valuable ideas, details and resources to share with other people, then doesn't this simply make sense?
5. Work at GIVING referrals and sharing valuable details. That's right, you should be willing to GIVE before you get. That implies you have to get to know other members and what makes a good prospect for them. What types of info might you have entry to that could be of use to them?
You may initially think you don't have much of value to share with other people (besides your business and what you provide). Part of the key to taking at giving is to not make assumptions. For instance, don't assume that some basic resource (e.g., a website) that you're mindful of is familiar to someone you can be talking to just since they're the expert in that field. Be prepared to ask if they know about the resource and ready to share if they do not.
Want to recover at actually giving referrals? Here's a straightforward question to ask someone you're connecting with. How am I going to know when I meet a proficient prospect for you?
Just the fact that you are prepared to explore giving will elevate your know, like and trust factor.
6. Concentrate on Quality, not Quantity, Quantity, Quantity. It is not necessarily about the number of connections you make, but about the grade of the ones you do make. Are they mutually beneficial, win-win relationships?
Quality connections will be identifiable because all involved parties will be actively sharing ideas, facts, and resources. Yes, it is true that you should spend some time and effort getting to know the other person(s) and what's important to them. But, you also need to be clear and actively considering what facts or resources you would like and need.
Staying in touch with and following up with a smaller number of quality relationships will more often than not be much more productive than endeavoring to execute with a bigger number of superficial contacts.
7. Be determined, but hold back. The goal of a networking event should not necessarily be to come away with prospects each time you go out, but to come away with great connections. Networking usually takes time to have the human relationships developed and nurtured.
Don't approach networking as a scary proposition or an essential evil for being in business. Take the pressure off yourself and really center on how you may be in a position to connect with somebody you meet. Concentrate on them first and look for ways to be of use to them. As you become known as a connector you'll eventually be prepared to reap what you sow.
