Several years ago, "networking" was the hot buzzword. Everyone was talking about building their network, because this was the secret to becoming incredibly successful. Well, yes, networking is a great way to build a business, but not necessarily the way a lot of people went about it.
Networking is still one of the best ways to get new customers, and maintain relationships with existing customers. But you have to do it effectively.
Going to every meeting you can find, and thrusting your business cards into the hands of every person you can corner isn't networking. To do it right, you have to be with the right groups, and make connections with the right individuals. Networking doesn't mean having fleeting contact with as many people as you can, it means building relationships with the right people.
Who should be in your network? Customers, potential customers, entrepreneurs in other fields who serve the same types of customers you do, people who can mentor you, people you can mentor, people with information you need, and maybe even your competitors.
Here are some ideas to keep in mind:
Choose a networking group based on the type of people you want to meet. Who are your best prospects--business owners, HR professionals, writers, nurses, lawyers? Participate in groups catering to them.
Don't overlook your "competition," but don't expect to build your business there. Many of us join groups with others who do what we do. That's great for getting information about the industry and making connections within it, but you probably won't find customers there. Don't focus all your attention on your industry group.
Choose a few groups and attend regularly, rather than attending one meeting each of dozens of groups. Just as with other marketing methods, people need to see you or hear of you several times before they feel comfortable enough to do business with you. Plus, most people won't remember you all that well if they've only met you once. See the same people many times, and you will become familiar.
Look for relationships where you can contribute, as well as benefit. Networking is a two-way street. If you are doing all the receiving (or all the giving) it won't last long.
Practice your 10-Second Brag(tm). You need to be able to get your message across quickly and effectively, so know how to say what you do in a short, benefit-oriented statement.
Offer to speak to groups which include the people you want to reach. It's a great way of making yourself visible and sticking in the minds of your prospects.
Take on responsibilities. Become an officer. Write a column for the newsletter. Join a committee. Truly become a part of the group.
And don't just focus on formal networking "groups." You can build connections any time you meet someone who is a good fit for your network. Next time you're standing in line at the office supply store or post office, strike up a conversation. Pick up the phone and call someone you've only met once (or perhaps never met), someone you think you could help and could help you. Get to know people online--they can be important members of your network.
Your network can be a source of business, of friendship, of support, of information, of the things you need to build your business and lead a satisfying life. Something that important shouldn't be done scattershot. Put thought and effort into surrounding yourself with the right people, and being an important part of their networks as well.
Copyright Cathy Stucker. As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker can help you attract customers and make yourself famous with inexpensive and free marketing ideas. Get free tips, articles and more at http://www.IdeaLady.com/.
You've probably bought a book or two at one of... Read More
Preparing a Marketing Plan for your product or service is... Read More
Learn a lesson from professional direct mail copywriters. They follow... Read More
Marketing is a business process about which much is written,... Read More
Postcards can drive a huge amount of traffic to your... Read More
1) They don't fully understand it.Perception: Marketing is advertising. Reality:... Read More
Without a doubt, if you asked me, Shane if there... Read More
The point is what you give to another you give... Read More
Are you struggling to find a new twist for... Read More
Peek a Boo - We See YouDoes your company have... Read More
Timing is everything. Hate to be late? The early bird... Read More
In the age of e-newsletters and e-mail, you may not... Read More
As an educated professional, your success is based on what... Read More
The basic lead generation process is pretty much the same... Read More
1. It costs less to delegate to a professional than... Read More
As best you can, answer the following twenty-five questions. There's... Read More
Universal principals are those "self-evident" truths that have guided brilliant... Read More
Some years ago, a prominent Australian hi-tech company... Read More
What makes one logo better than another?Simplicity.A good logo works... Read More
It has become fairly common place to see Id badges... Read More
A funnel is a good way to think of the... Read More
One of the very basic conditions of being a successful... Read More
What is the biggest problem most marketers have? Who knows.... Read More
You probably read my headline and thought, wait a minute,... Read More
You have read part 1 & 2 of this article... Read More
The highly entertaining Donald Trump's search for an apprentice turned... Read More
My niece recently graduated from high school, and my family... Read More
If ever there was a lazy way to easy profits... Read More
Many business owners do not understand the authenticity and validation... Read More
Skilful business writing involves getting your message across simply and... Read More
How to Tie a Tie and How To Kiss -... Read More
Business cards and greeting cards almost go hand in hand... Read More
When commercials come on the television do you get up... Read More
Trade shows are part of the marketing mix and the... Read More
I love my dentist! When is the last time you... Read More
Each and every day those of us on the Internet... Read More
Are your products or services geared towards only one target... Read More
Whether you are already running your own business, or still... Read More
The highly entertaining Donald Trump's search for an apprentice turned... Read More
NO! When I say "5 P's", I'm not talking about... Read More
Traditional marketing and advertising assumes that all of your customers... Read More
Today's constant bombardment of marketing messages means your materials must... Read More
When you place brochures from every mortgage company side by... Read More
If you are a therapist, counselor, or an alternative or... Read More
In a recent marketing workshop I attended, I discovered that... Read More
There are basically two ways in which you can either... Read More
The world is full... Read More
With all the shuffling that's been seen in the search... Read More
The industry standard for mobile washing is completing the car... Read More
Volunteering your services can be an excellent way to form... Read More
Direct mail can be one of the most effective tactics... Read More
I was saddened to hear of the passing of one... Read More
If you have your own small business, it's important to... Read More
Which pulls the best response, a postcard, a self-mailer or... Read More
Have you ever studied your best donors and wished you... Read More
Stuart from Colorado had talked to a number of marketing... Read More
The following 3 simple selling tactics produce sales by responding... Read More
Benefits, that's what!Whether you're selling in print or in person,... Read More
Today I've decided to share with you a new word... Read More
Small business marketing is not like taking a family vacation.Did... Read More
Do you find it hard to ask for referrals? I... Read More
You're probably familiar with e-mail signature (or "sig") files -... Read More
In previous articles under "Meaning and Marketing", we have learned... Read More
As you have probably experienced there is a lot of... Read More
Every business person who has any kind of product or... Read More
We could learn a thing or two from pro sports.Baseball... Read More
Marketing |