Get More Clients From Networking - Follow The Rules Of Dating!

If you're a business owner, you probably spend quite a lot of your time at networking events. In fact, it may be the main way you try to get new clients. But do you ever feel that you could get more from these meetings? Do you actually get the results from your networking to justify the amount of time you put into it?

If you don't find you get a lot of interest from the people you meet, it may be that you're going about things the wrong way. You may need a new approach.

My own view is that you can't go far wrong if you think of networking more like dating. The two activities have a lot in common ( although, I must admit, I'm relying on distant memory here ). Here are some things you need to think about.

1. What sort of person do you want to meet?

If your answer is " anyone " you risk wasting time talking to a lot of people who just aren't going to be " the one ". You also sound a bit desperate, to be honest. Not everyone is going to be your ideal client. Once you know who that is, you can be more choosy about who you talk to.

2. Where are you likely to meet them?

There are lots of places to meet people, but where will you find your ideal person ? in a club, at evening classes, at the Bingo? Don't just go to the first place you find, pick the event where you know the person you're looking for is most likely to be.

3. Think about joining a dating agency so you can look through details of the other members.

Look at the members list of any group before joining if you can get hold of it ( ask for photographs if possible ). Also, look at the list of attendees before a meeting so you can make a beeline for the people you want to talk to.

4. Accept that it takes time to build a relationship.

Don't expect too much too soon. People will need time to get to know and trust you and, in this case, you're looking for a long term relationship, not a one ? night stand.

5. Think of something interesting to say about yourself.

If someone asks you " What do you do? " don't just say " I'm a Financial Adviser " or " I'm a Consultant " and expect them to swoon. Tell them what you do for people, how you help, the problems you solve. But don't make things up to impress them, you'll be found out sooner or later.

6. Don't spend the whole time talking about yourself.

One secret for getting people to like you is to ask them about themselves. Be a great listener, not a great talker. People love talking about themselves, they don't want to listen to you telling them how wonderful you are. Stop talking before they lose the will to live and ask a question. Prepare some good ones in advance so your mind doesn't go blank. Avoid " Do you come here often? " or " So what line of business are you in? " Try to find something you both have in common.

7. Don't be too pushy on your first date.

Just because someone shows an interest doesn't mean you can bombard them with information about all your products or services. You'll look too needy and that puts people off.

8. People always say they'll ring, they never do.

Sad but true. Don't rely on other people ringing you, make sure you get their number so you can call them. It's much more important to get someone else's business card than to give them your own. It gives you the initiative.

9. Keep your numbers in a little black book.

Set up a contact management system so you don't lose the details of the people you meet. This might just be a card index or it might be sophisticated software. Whatever it is, have a system which you know how to use.

10. Keep in touch.

Do contact them again if you got on well, they want you to really. Call or write, refer back to your conversation and mention something they said. Send them an article about an interest they mentioned, it will show you were listening and you care about them. It's amazing how many people go to networking events, then never follow up with the people they meet. Don't expect " love at first sight ", it takes several contacts before someone is likely to do business with you.

I hope that's given you some ideas. Of course, you still have to remember the basics, such as dressing up a bit and cleaning your teeth, but that's down to you.

And, of course, there is one big difference between networking and dating ? with networking, you're allowed to see lots of people at the same time!

Good luck.

About The Author

Alan Matthews is an experienced trained, coach and speaker specialising in communication skills for business owners. He is author of " Do You Come Here Often? How To Get More Clients By Successful Networking " and " Secrets Of A Professional Speaker " as well as numerous articles and reports, all available from http://www.trainofthought.org.uk.

alan@trainofthought.org.uk

---

The X Factor

So you've invested more time than you ever believed possible... Read More

How To Achieve Success With Your Own Money Making Newsletter

Writing and publishing a successful newsletter is perhaps the most... Read More

Is Most Marketing by Small Businesses KILLING THEM?

I just collected my mail. As usual, more than 80%... Read More

Tradeshow Booth Cures - Ancient Cures for Modern Day Problems

At first glance, nothing seems more chaotic than a trade... Read More

At the Speed of Light

How many times has someone you've called said, "Why don't... Read More

Top Five 2004 Required Marketing Tips Needed to Succeed

When marketing your practice, as well as designing yourbrochure, web... Read More

5 Steps to Success: A Surefire Way to Achieve Your Goals

No doubt you started this year with some big ideas... Read More

How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth? Powerful Lessons In Marketing & The Psychology Of Selling - Part 2

NB: You can read part one here: ... Read More

The Right Logo

The Logo: a little historyLogotype, commonly know as a logo,... Read More

The Great Direct Marketing Conundrum

Many a home business owner has spent sleepless nights thinking... Read More

Slogans: Creating and Using Them In Life, Career and Business

Information is coming at us from all directions nowadays. This... Read More

Ready, Fire, Aim!

You probably read my headline and thought, wait a minute,... Read More

What to Look for in Display Graphics and Trade Show Graphics

Display graphics are graphic images used for illustration or "display"... Read More

The 7 Areas of Marketing Waste - Are You Committing These Marketing Sins?

If you want to reduce waste and grow your business... Read More

Budget Marketing: Managing Your Marketing Money Wisely!

There's a saying that half of all marketing efforts are... Read More

Behold the Power of the Tip

You are an expert. You have lots of content -... Read More

How You Can Make Money From Competitors Easy

Are you market products and services using PPCs? PPC Advertising... Read More

Everybody Loves Raymond....You Should Too!

Popular TV Series Provides a Powerful Marketing LessonSmall Business owners... Read More

Importance of Endorsements And How To Use Them

Customer endorsements are an inexpensive and easy sales tool, particularly... Read More

Teaming Up Marketing and Sales

The Pitchers: SalesLet's say you have a new baseball team... Read More

Adapting Blog Technologies To Corporate E-Newsletters

Every January, trade publications put out a list... Read More

Marketing Strategies to Put Yourself Out of Business

Want to learn how to lose a billion dollars?Just follow... Read More

Is CRM Technology Living Up To the Hype?

Over the last few years the buzz about CRM (Customer... Read More

Private Practice Marketing: A Soaking Wet Marketing Marvel

Last week I took our two boys on an all... Read More

Terrific Titles, Happenin Headlines

You've probably heard the slogan, "You never get a second... Read More

Are Keywords Destroying the Flow of Your SEO Copy?

With all the shuffling that's been seen in the search... Read More

New Years Planning Critical Success Factors

New Year's is a good time for strategic planning or... Read More

Direct Mail Response Rate Boosters (12 tips and ideas)

1. Mail to a different list Your list is the... Read More

Three Ways to Put Fresh Spins on Old Marketing Concepts

Are you struggling to find a new twist for... Read More

Find the Goldmine Within Your Business

Doing a current customer breakdown can help you find the... Read More

Youre Halfway There!...Or Not Part 1

The year is almost over and the last half of... Read More

Unique Selling Proposition - Your Competitive Advantage!

To capture a larger market share and be viable, sustainable... Read More

Marketing On The Cheap: Join The What?

Your local Chamber of Commerce.Now before you stop reading, I... Read More