By Pree Dammond
I know you have heard the cliché; Your Network is your Net-worth. Until, you Network efficiently you may never understand why this is true. However, I will give you my insight on why I feel that your Network is your Net-worth and how to Network efficiently.
Basically, you are as good as the people around you. It’s the same way in sports. If you play with Starters, you’ll eventually become a Starter or at least raise the bar on your skill level as such. It’s the same way in business. If you network and create business with the business elites, you will become the business elite.
You can’t compare networking in a dance club with a pocket full of business cards to attending a professional Networking Conference or Trade Show event.
Here are 7 Key steps to networking efficiently.
- Prepare a quick 3 to 5 minute Introduction to your business including the services it provide and or the products it’s able to produce.
- Always attend a networking event with a ledger/notebook with pen in hand. Although you have business cards, you may want to write down specific notes about the person or persons you meet to organize them from those you meet that may not serve an immediately purpose for your business.
- Designate a send and receive pocket location for the business cards you collect versus the business cards that you distribute to those you meet at an event. It always makes you look organize when you can smoothly hand them a card immediately after they hand you theirs.
- Sending the follow up email. A lot of times, most people will follow up with an email immediately after a networking event. I disagree with this method. I believe it to be more advantageous for you to send your follow up email at least 2 to 3 day prior to an event. Include in the email references that will remind the person of your encounter with them.
- Stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s a joke or some sort of conversation piece that you are wearing. Leave those that you are interested in doing business with something that they can remember you by. Pens with your business info are a cheap and inexpensive way of giving your new network something memorable and functional. If not the marketing pen, then something else.
- Attend the meeting with your calendar of events. Every business doesn’t require much time, but if your nature of business does it would be a good idea to bring your calendar in the event of meeting someone you may want to schedule a phone conference or meeting with.
- Manage your time with each person you speak with. It’s a numbers game so do not become so long winded. The more people you meet, sometimes the better. I feel that quality out shines quantity on a bad day but your mission is not only to network for resources but to provide resources as well. You have to brand your company to as many people as possible.