Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies - 3 Keys for Networking Success

UGH..."not another article about networking" you may be thinking. I mean, who has time for boring, unproductive - did I say "boring" yet - meetings? Well no one actually, including me. So I want to help you find success in one of the most potentially beneficial business and marketing activities out there.

But first, let's define NETWORKING.

Networking is simply about making business connections and relationships that can be of help to you and others down the road. You never know what solutions or opportunities may come just by meeting one or two new people - or evening opening the lines of communication with people that you already have come in contact with.

Successful people are often involved in a variety of groups from their church or children’s schools to neighborhood associations and/or the boards and committees that make up a variety or political, civic and charitable organizations. These are all good places for networking and getting to know people in your community and establish more meaningful personal or business relationships with people you know in these groups. Networking within these types of social groups also allows you to quietly "sell" yourself without being "salesy" about it.

Some ideas...

1) Set a specific goal for each planned event.From collecting a certain number of business cards to passing out a stack of flyers about your upcoming event to connecting with a specific person within a group, having a plan for each networking event you attend is a must. It gives you something to aim for - and to measure later - to help you become successful.

2) Put on a nice smile, firm handshake and veil of confidence (and fake it if you have to. ) People are attracted to confidence and positive attitudes both at a meeting and after. Show them why you are the right choice for the services you offer before they ever come in.

3) Meet and focus on one person at a time giving them your ear and attention as much as you want theirs. As much as you want to let people know about what you do, it is important to remember that networking is a two-way street. Ask people what their goals are for the meeting or their business and what kinds of clients they are looking for. And if you know a way to help them through a referral or other action, take action to help them if you can.

To make networking truly successful, go into it with the idea that you are going to establish or enhance personal relationships with others rather than "making a sale" and you’ll have a much better chance of success.

As Dr. Ivan Misner, the founder of BNI has said: “Networking is not about hunting. It is about farming. It’s about cultivating relationships. Don’t engage in ‘premature solicitation’. You’ll be a better net-worker if you remember that.” 

I encourage you to be prepared to share your business with others and to be open to the possibilities that come from “planting” and “watering” the seeds of networking.

Need more ideas on how to make networking successful for you and your business? Click here for my audio CD, How To Network for More Clients, More Referrals & More Money for Your Successful Business. Or if you're interested in improving all of your marketing, consider joining my Group Marketing Coaching Program.  The next 6 week session starts on 4/26/11 at 7 PM EST, more groups forming on Sundays and/or Mondays in early May. Email me at Felicia@spalutions.com with any questions.