2. Meeting friends
1/ Don’t think of it as networking think of it as meeting
friends.
Take the fear out of it, make it about meeting friends.
Relax and let natural curiosity take over, you like this person
and you want to find out more about them.
3. Goal
II/ Set a goal for yourself.
When I leave today I will have met and understand 3 people
or companies that will be able to assist me, and 3 businesses
will have asked me for information on how I can help them
4. Prepare
III/ Prepare for the event / function.
Identify potential contacts.
The goal is to make contacts and build a business network of people
who can and will identify with you as potential assistance to them.
You do not have to aim for the “power” players in the room
immediately.
They are the target that everyone is after.
Work the group, build positive contacts who can even introduce you
to someone you need.
5. Smaller first
IV/ Tackle the smaller groups first.
A large group can be daunting.
Smaller groups will allow you to communicate openly and
build confidence and trust.
6. Listener
V/ Be a listener not a talker.
Networking is not about dominating a group, its about
understanding the group.
Listen more than talk is the best motto.
7. Bait
VI/ Bait the hook – a short shape pitch that sells.
Have a snapshot about who you are and what you offer that
could be delivered in 30 seconds.
That’s all you have, and you need people to understand what
you offer to them.
This is not a sales pitch this is about what you offer.
8. Follow up
VII/ Follow up. If you collect card sat the event, send a personalised
email or note to each contact.
Thank them for their time.
If you offered to come back to them with more detail do so immediately.
Let no more than 48 hours pass, lest you are forgotten.
Follow-up with a call or email, you need to keep the relationship alive
and growing.
9. Manners
VIII/ Remember your manners – be relaxed, polite and interesting.
Remember, the key to networking is giving.
Give information, give advice, give your services, and give your
personality, and you’ll be well on your way to forging genuine, lasting
business relationships.
10. Alcohol
IX/ Keep your alcohol consumption to a minimum.
People remember the smell of alcohol on your breath, the fact that you
were unsteady on your feet, or even that you seemed to be drinking
steadily.
Remember you need to present a positive image and professional
demeanour.
You can sit on a drink for an hour or two if necessary, or even nurse a
coke as you have to drive.
11. Include
X/ Be the person to include others in the conversation when they
join a group.
Remember if you are in a group and someone joins, include them, you
never know just how important they could be to you and others.
12. More Information
To maximise your effectiveness as a business and to take
advantage of the best low cost marketing ideas, contact:
Peter McCullagh.
Solution Based Marketing
mccullaghp@gmail.com
0418 562287
