Making Your Business Stand Out
Hunt
Like a Lion ... Network Like A Pro
Networking
(yikes...who likes that?) is sometimes a necessary evil for growing your business.
You introduce yourself and your business to a certain group of people in hopes
to do business. It can be a chore or a waste of time. Ten quick tips to help
you!
1. Make good choices.
Our
time is so valuable. Therefore, you should make choices of working with groups
whose members can help grow your business. Some groups will give clients or
support services or great alliances. Choose well and ask: What EXACTLY do I
need to help me grow my business? How about Meet Ups locally? Investigate and decide which might be a fit.
2.
Get goal-action-oriented.
Not just goals, but action! Do
your homework. Decide on your goal for the event. Is it to have a conversation
with 4 new people? Have a plan to achieve certain goals BEFORE you go. Attack those immediately and then relax.
3.
Who are they?
Know
the group and what they are all about. Learn how the group works. Some groups
may allow self-promotion; some may not. Know what the rules are in order to
make it WORK for you.
4.
Organization is everything.
Always
have cards, a working pen and notepad handy. You may need to write down a name
and address, or jot a reminder note. Don’t just rely on your memory. WRITE it
to remember it.
5.
TALK.
ME, ME, ME. Most people fixate on themselves. BORING. Do the "give
and take" with information. Don't be a walking billboard about yourself. Ask
questions that help you to find out a bit about the person and their business
needs. Work at being a great listener. You are there to mix and meet – not to
sell to them then and there.
6.
Toss or Keep?
You
want the right people to have your card, not necessarily everyone. Those who
cannot use it just will file it in the waste can. Even if you only meet a
couple good contacts, it's better than just randomly handing out your card to
everyone.
7.
Hunt like a Amazonian Lion
Take charge! Don't
be a wallflower. If there is a person at the event you want to meet, look for
them and make it happen! Be sure to start with with them what you may have in
common. If you feel this person may be a new client, find out by asking
questions and listening to them.
8.
One more time...take notes.
Quick
and easy way to remind yourself to do anything you may have promised is to make
a note of it immediately after you make the promise. Don't try to rely on your
foggy memory two days later...
9.
Make sure to follow up. This is where the rubber meets the road.
Simple,
easy and enough said.
10.
Patience, Persistence!
Networking
is a valuable way to meet new customers, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Make
yourself a little famous at the events and attend them consistently. You'll get
to know and they'll become familiar with you. This is the best way to
make strides in networking.
Network
with common sense and a serious goal. It's the best path to making it work for
you.
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