Networking Tips

So many of us go to networking events and HOPE we meet someone who just happens to want to do business with us! Either that or we talk with a friend the entire night and leave without meeting new people. Below are a few tips to add structure to your networking and to increase your success:

1. Before going to an event, decide who you want to meet.
What industry does this ideal person work in? What is your ideal client? Know that in advance and network with that in mind. Seek those individuals out.

2. Provide leads to others! Be interested in others!
Don't just "throw up" your spiel on others (i.e. give your card, tell what you do, push your business on them). Ask others about themselves! What do they do, who is their ideal client? Here are some ice breaker questions to try: "What do you do for fun?" or "What is the most exciting part of your job?" or "How would you describe your ideal client?" Your goal here is to build a business relationship with this person and you can't do that if you don't know anything about them, their interests or their business.

3. Nail your 10 Second Commercial. I mean it. No more than 10 seconds. I don't want to hear you drone on about yourself for an hour.
Make a list of the features and benefits of your company. Turn that into a 10 second commercial. An example given tonight by Brandon Wright, owner of Ultra Clean was: "We are a group of caring and compassionate people who help others after a fire or a flood." (Hope I got that right Brandon!) This statement leaves you wanting more information. The request for more information will open a dialogue, which is how you begin to build a relationship. If it doesn't open a conversation, at least you leave thinking Brandon is caring & compassionate, right?!

4. Relationship Building
Pick 10 individuals you'd like to associate with. Maybe they are in your same industry. Maybe they are well known in the community and you respect them and the referrals they can provide. Start with 10 people. Meet them. Continue to build your relationship with them. Find out about what interests them. Be sure to follow up regularly with these individuals (a thank you note after a meeting, etc.).

5. Follow Up
Make a note on a person's business card about what they do or something that interested you about them. Use that as a way to remember who you met at the event and to follow up with the leads you may have obtained. Honestly, I always carry a mini-sharpie and a small notepad in my purse too!

And remember.....always, always send a thank you card for referrals! Be sure to return the favor and refer others as well.
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Networking is FUN! I can honestly say it has enriched my life and opened up doors I didn't even know were there! There are so many brilliant and AMAZING people here in the Treasure Valley. You'll never meet them if you don't reach out with a genuine interest in getting to know more about them and simply saying hello! I believe that if you add a smidge of structure to your networking efforts, you will be a huge success!

Do you have networking tips you'd like to share? If so, please comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

Tips are from business consultant Becky McKinstry of Open Lines Training who spoke at Meridian Business & Professional Connection 7/28/09 (but paraphrased into my own words). Check out Becky's website and business consulting services here: http://openlinestraining.com/