Ten top tips to get the most out of your networking

BUSINESS : LEARNING : NETWORKING : MARKETING : SOCIAL MEDIA

TEN TOP TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR NETWORKING Word of mouth introductions lead to huge amounts of profitable business but building longterm and effective relationships through your local business network takes time, patience and skill before it pays off.

Follow these ten top tips and soon you’ll be reaping all the rewards networking has to offer.

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Follow these10 tips and soon you’ll be working the room with ease!

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TEN TOP TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR NETWORKING

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Appearance Take care to dress appropriately in order to give the right impression. If you turn up looking like you couldn’t care less then this will say a lot more about your attitude to business in general rather than just your dress sense. Suits aren’t compulsory but the smart/casual look generally works.

Relax and smile Try to think of networking as a chance to make

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friends in business. Smile as you approach people and in conversation.

As a rule people are welcoming, polite and friendly, they’ll make room for you and include you in the conversation. If you see someone standing alone, go up and introduce yourself. Many others will feel just as nervous as you do so a welcoming greeting will not go astray.

Ask questions and listen The right questions asked in a friendly manner are key to successful networking. Ask a handful of focused open questions to build genuine rapport. Maintain eye contact when you ask questions to show you are attentive, interested and keen to build rapport. Don’t keep scanning the room for your next conquest!

Elevator pitch Develop a short introduction: this is essentially a

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short summary of who you are and what you do that should be able to be delivered within the time span of an elevator ride. Be able to describe who you are professionally and the benefits you might bring.

It’s not a sales pitch. It’s never a sales pitch! It’s about genuinely impressing others with a great first impression.

Business cards Remember to take a good supply of business

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cards with you. Ask each person for two cards – one to pass on to someone else and one to keep. Make sure the card you hand out is smart, easy to read and contains all your contact details. Also, ensure that your online profile is always up-to-date. Networkers who take your card will often explore your social media mediums to check you out!

TEN TOP TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR NETWORKING Don’t try to close a deal Networking is about developing

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longterm relationships with other professionals. Meeting people at events should be the beginning of that process, not the end of it.

Remember it is better to make three good contacts than 20 hurried ones. Networking should never seem aggressive. A pushy attitude may drive other networkers away for good.

‘Give’ whenever possible The best networkers believe in the

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philosophy that if I help you you’ll help me and we’ll both do better as a result. If you don’t genuinely attempt to help the people you meet, then you are not networking effectively. If you can’t give someone a bona fide referral, try to offer some information that might be of interest to them (such as details about an upcoming event).

Manage your time Spend your time with new people you meet

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and don’t linger with friends or associates. Be careful not to spend too much time with any one person. When you meet someone interesting with whom you’d like to speak further, set up an appointment for a later date. Avoid the mistake of thinking that you will find three or four new customers at your first networking event.

It’s not a one off! Attend on a regular basis and your face will be

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remembered. When someone needs your services (and they like and trust you), they’ll be in touch. Keep coming along. Whatever you do, please don’t go to one networking event just once. If you do, you’ll be 100% correct that “it didn’t really work for you”. Networking is the long game and it takes time for people to get to know and trust you.

Follow up If you’re keen to meet someone again, tell them so and then keep your promise by following up promptly. Make contact as soon as you can after the event. Even if you know that you won’t initially do business with them, meet them anyway as quite frankly, you never know where the contact may lead.

The belief is that around seventy per cent of business is done by word of mouth referral – so attend as many network events as you can!

Business Networking for Dummies Stefan Thomas Forward by Brad Burton Grow your business, build your career, find more customers and build a valuable support network of like-minded business people.

Networking is a crucial skill for all professionals and business owners. Quite simply, it’s a fast and effective way to build your business or career – and excellent networking skills will set you apart from the competition. Business Networking For Dummies shows you how to get the most out of networking – both online and offline. With Business Networking For Dummies, you’ll learn to: ■ Use business networking to grow and develop your business ■ Find the right platform or platforms to build your own network and ‘assemble your crowd’ ■ Pitch yourself and your business with confidence ■ Get the most out of face-to-face networking events – including valuable tips on presentation skills and sound bites!

■ Join up your ‘real life’ and online networking ■ Measure your networking success ■ Follow up with new contacts successfully JUST CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR COPY

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