Networking - How To Do It

Networking is probably the oldest, easiest, most effective and least expensive way to get more business. It doesn't necessarily involve selling your product or service but it does mean selling yourself. However, that doesn't involve a lot of talking - it does involve a lot of listening.

Networking is about making connections with people and building a network of meaningful relationships.

Having good relationships means - these people will either do business with you and/or recommend you to others. These people are your unpaid sales-force and you've got to ensure that they do a good job.

Here are 9 steps to successful networking:

#1 Be prepared - Particularly if you're attending a formal networking event like the Chamber of Commerce.

#2 Think about whom you'll be meeting - Consider what your opening remarks or questions will be. And think about what you're going to say when they question you.

#3 Make sure you have lots of business cards, a small notebook, and a pen - These should be easily accessible and not involve a rummage through pockets or a bag to find them.

Reminder - NEVER go anywhere without business cards

#4 You don't necessarily need brochures - These can be sent when you follow up later. A networking event is not a place to sell your product or service. (This is not understood by the people who have bored the pants off me over the years)

#5 Think about what you're going to wear - I've seen people rush into a networking event in clothes that look like they've been slept in.

If it means having a change of clothes in the office or going home to freshen up - then do it. Remember, the image you present to other people is the image they'll have of your business.

Men should wear a bright tie (not cheap) and women should wear something bright. Remember, however - business dress, not sexy.

#6 Personal hygiene - Brush your teeth or use a breath freshener. I've met people at networking events whose breath would bring down a rhino at fifty feet. Avoid drinking wine or coffee; they can make your breath sour. Stick to mineral water or a soft drink.

#7 Watch out for the perfume - Both men and women, strong scents can be overpowering.

#8 Name badges - They'll probably hand these out at the event, however consider having your own produced. They're not expensive to produce and it means you can ensure that what's on the badge is what you want. (Conference organisers often get the details wrong on name badges) Pin the badge on your right lapel - it's easier for people to read. The majority of people shake hands with their right hand. As you lean forward to shake hands, it means that the other person can read your badge easier.

#9 Go with a partner - Take a friend or one of your team to a networking event. While you're there, alternately separate and come together. When you see your partner with someone or a group, walk up and let your partner introduce you. Your partner will introduce you using a pre-agreed benefit statement. Something like - "This is my friend Mary Smith - she helps business people find more customers by improving their networking skills." It's then easier for you to make more contacts.

Discover how you can generate more business without having to cold call! Alan Fairweather is the author of "How to get More Sales without Selling". This book is packed with practical things that you can do to get customers to come to you!

http://www.howtogetmoresales.com

Software for Social Networking Sites
Bizjournals.com, NC - 13 hours ago
How it works: The software isn'ta destination site and will work within the social networking platform. Users download the application to their personal ...

Daily Mail
New Study Probes Social Networking Generation
MyFox Gulf Coast, AL - Jul 5, 2008
Are social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook creating a generation that will devalue real-world relationships, act impulsively and be at increased ...
Doctor: Social networking sites skew kids' world view Newsday
Social Networking Websites May Cause Youth To Place Lesser Value ... AHN
400 Facebook friends, but who else did the web let into Laurent’s ... Daily Mail
BBC News - Sky Newsall 55 news articles

New York Times
A Political Agitator Finds a Double-Edged Weapon
New York Times, United States - 18 hours ago
And while he said he did not relish making Mr. Obama a target, Mr. Stark is using the candidate’s own social-networking portal, my.barackobama.com, ...
Story Of Anti-FISA Group On Obama's Web Site Goes National TPM
Obama Responds to Online FISA Critics Washington Post
Obama Web Site Protest Grows Huffington Post
Dslreports - Huffington Postall 44 news articles

This Week's Business Calendar
Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - 7 hours ago
South Louisville Business Networking. Kenwood Heights Christian Church, 5620 New Cut Road, 7:30 am For business owners/managers. Information: 361-9927. ...
Business Calendar Austin American-Statesman
all 3 news articles

Nonprofits should make use of social networking
Houston Chronicle, United States - Jul 4, 2008
That includes Internet forums, blogs, instant messaging, telephone texting, social network sites, such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter and the photo and ...

Today's Zaman
XING business networking expands into Turkısh market
Today's Zaman, Turkey - 17 hours ago
XING, a leading business professional network with 5.7 million members, has made its grand entrance with the acquisition of Turkey’s largest online business ...

Obama Fails to Put Out the FISA Fire in His Own House
AlterNet, CA - 21 hours ago
My focus here will be the novel political dynamic unleashed by the Obama campaign's social networking site, MyBarackObama.com. These are uncharted waters we ...

Web 3.0 - the future of social networking
ZDNet - Jul 4, 2008
I was asked to a conference call last Friday to be briefed over another social network web-startup; I must say at this point I was somewhat apprehensive, ...

CNET News
New dual-N band Linksys router geared for multimedia home networking
NetworkWorld.com, MA - Jul 3, 2008
At the same time users can connect data-oriented devices, like like PCs, print servers or network attached storage, to the 2.4GHz band. ...
Linksys debuts 802.11n dual-band home router Slippery Brick
all 21 news articles

A New Networking Portal for Merchant Navy Officers and Sea Lovers
Thaindian.com, Thailand - Jul 5, 2008
Merchant navy officers are feeling important on their networking site SeaFolks.com, because of the attention they are getting from sea lovers across the ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Why Bother With Social Networking Sites Like LinkedIn?