| |
| |
|
|
Networking Information |
|
|
|
How NOT to Waste Your Time Networking
Ever wonder if networking, referral groups, and conferences are a waste of your time? Think about it?how many hours do you invest in deciding where to network, registering, getting there, "working the room," and then following up? How much real business do you generate from your networking efforts? How do you know where to invest and where to cut your losses? If you're not thinking critically about how (or if!) to network, I guarantee that you're wasting a lot of time and money. Bonnie Lowe recently interviewed me for her upcoming e-book: Networkaholics Revealed! True Confessions of People Who Networked Their Way To Success (And How You Can Do the Same). Here's what we discussed: B: What advice do you have for someone just learning about networking?or to make an experienced networker more effective? K: My tops tips are? 1. Have a plan and use a system, based on your objective. Think about whom your "target audience" is and where you're most likely to find them. For example, if you want to reach small business, your local Chamber might be a good networking venue. If you're going after the federal government, the Chamber's probably not a good use of your time. If you're networking to change careers, think carefully about whom you want to meet. Then identify the events and organizations where you're most likely to run into them. 2. Don't expect people to respond immediately to your "offer." You have to build trust and a relationship. As Dan Williams, founder of The Networking Community likes to say, networking is a process, not an event. This means you'll have to show up consistently and build relationships outside of networking for the actual payoff to seeds you planted while networking. Before people will buy from you, they need to know and trust you. This doesn't happen overnight. 3. "Date" several organizations or groups, then commit to a small few where you can really have some visibility. Once you commit, take a leadership position to raise your visibility. Start out on a committee, then chair it, then run for office. Give lots of value in the form of information that makes people smarter and solves their problems...do not try to sell them on your services or push what you do. 4. Look at networking as a key piece of your overall marketing strategy, not the end-all and be-all. If you think it's all you need to do to grow your business, you won't get the results you want. Networking is a way to bring new "Strangers" into your revenue funnel, but you need other things to move them from Stranger to Acquaintance, to Friend, to Lover, to Loyal Partner. Read my article, How to Earn the Right, for details on this approach at http://www.turningpointemarketing.com/free_resources/articles.html B: How has networking helped you build your career/ business? K: I've found my best professional resources and key alliances through networking, including the company that powers my website/CRM system, my Virtual Assistant, and an artist that I collaborated with to create gorgeous holiday gifts for my clients. Real business has come through follow-up conversations, experiences, and high-value information sharing. Networking was the start. B: Do you have a specific networking "success story" you'd like to share? K: Yikes, there are so many. Just showing up at events where I know a Big Name is speaking is a way to eliminate many degrees of separation. I introduce myself, make a comment that's WIIFM-oriented (What's In It For Me?) for the Big Name and ask if s/he would be willing to talk further by phone. It's the first step to building the relationship. People are people, and if you're not out to waste their time and have something of value to discuss, they'll have that follow-up conversation. B: Any other comments or tips for networkers? K: My favorite trick for people who hate to network is to take a buddy. I'm an introvert myself, so I know how draining networking can be. Go with someone else and talk each other up ("So and so is the leading expert on helping people like yourself solve the following problems...in fact, she recently got an award for ______; you've just got to meet her...here, I'll introduce you..."). This makes it easy to meet people and you double your reach in a room when two of you are working on each other's behalf. TurningPointe Marketing, Inc. All rights reserved. Marketing educator, Kelly O'Brien, is creator of the Create a TurningPointe! Marketing BootCamp and Advanced Marketing Clinic. To learn more about these step-by-step programs, get her FREE 20-page Marketing Guide and more how-to articles, visit http://www.TurningPointeMarketing.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Networking - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Networking Know-how Successful networking requires the understanding from the get-go that it is about what we can do for each other. Networking requires time, patience, and a commitment to helping others. Getting Leads How many leads do you pass on?As a reminder, you must give a lot before you can expect any leads from the group. You must be able to define your best customer, give your pitch and describe what you do best. The Anatomy of a Brain Cramp; The Retainer and the Lavalava - Communication In life, you have to successfully work with people to get anywhere. You can't avoid it. A Vital Habit For Selling Big Ticket Items I hope the title of this article aroused your curiosity! What could this habit be that will help you sell Big Ticket Items?It has nothing to do with copywriting or creating beautiful web pages. But it does have to do with something even more important - building relationships!What is this habit? Well it has many names but the most familiar one is probably is "networking". Client Attraction Technique #2: Networking One of the most cost effective ways of generating leads and referrals. However it's important that you 'work' these opportunities in the correct way. Building Bridges - The Importance of Being Connected Where You Live As a Young Professional (YP) in the up-and-coming city of Milwaukee, WI, I can tell you that it's very important to find a way to get connected in your city. It's important because in order to make a difference, you need to know who those difference makers are. Jump Start Your Network Networking is often identified as a key business building activity for small business owners, especially those just getting started. Often we think of networking as meeting as many new people as possible. What I Do Is Not Who I Am... The Networking Factor Ah, the personal touch that continues to make a big difference for the better in our lives and the lives of those who have an opportunity to experience a personal touch from us.If networking and effective communication are centered on other people, can we effectively network or communicate without the help of other people?For the sake of argument, let us define networking as: finding out what another individual wants or needs and then fulfilling the want or need of that other person. Where to Find a Cash Windfall of $10,000 - $1,000,000 - You Never Knew You Had There is a rather famous true story called "Acres of Diamonds".It is about a successful farmer who risks everything searching the African continent for diamonds. How to Collect Business Cards Why the business card grab is not why you are there? So how do you obtain the card and show interest that gains confidence?One of the things I am also always asked is, "How do you collect cards?" and "What do you do with them when you get them back to the office?" What really happens when you collect business cards? Often they get put into a pocket with many others. Have you ever collected cards to later find out that you have no idea who the person was? This happens all the time. Unforgettable First Impressions Part 4: Become a Social Gift Giver Do you ever wonder why single people give flowers, wine, candy or mix CD's on first dates?Bingo! Because they want to get lucky!Just kidding. They bring gifts because they want make a great first impression. Why Cant I Remember Your Name? You're terrible with names. You forget someone's name within ten seconds of their introduction, and it embarrasses you. Networking: What the Heck is a Ryze? If you're new to the internet marketing club, you may have heard about "Ryze." What is that, you wonder? Ryze refers to the Ryze Business Network at http://Ryze. Time to Hire a Professional Networker? It used to be that people said that there was 6 degrees of separation between everyone. Many people know that Kevin Bacon game that people play to prove it. How to Organize a Successful Bad Sweater Party "Hey Scott, would you like to go to a Bad Sweater Party this weekend?""A what party?!" I said."A Bad Sweater Party. What Has Networking Got To Do With Joint Ventures? What has networking got to do with joint ventures? "PLENTY" is the short answer to this question.Networking is a very important element of joint venture marketing because the more you network, the more you meet potential partners and build relationships that lead to profitable joint ventures. Online Business Networking: How Personal is Too Personal? Online networking has opened up some fantastic business opportunities for solo entrepreneurs. You can open an account with one of the major online business networks such as Ryze, and get to know industrious and inspiring minds from all corners of the world. How to be Known Why business relationships are formed with certain people?If you go to a networking meeting and look around the room, can you tell which individuals you would like to converse with? It is likely you will gravitate towards those that are engaged in conversations and have an enthusiasm about them. If you see people sitting around looking like wall flowers, you will not be as likely to find out more about them. The Secrets of Effective Networking Before we talk about specific networking tips I want to address a critical aspect of networking that is often overlooked. Sometimes we are so eager to network that we don't stop to consider whether or not we are investing our energy in the right places. How to Shmooze Definition: talk idly or casually in a friendly way Value: pricelessGearheads like me have trouble understanding that great ideas and hard work aren't enough..
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
