<![CDATA[GURU MARKETING TIPS - Networking]]>Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:16:48 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Networking Defined and Explained]]>Sat, 13 Jul 2019 16:26:56 GMThttp://gurumarketingtips.com/networking/networking-defined-and-explained
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​Networking Training 101 the Basics
By Stu Leventhal - Guru Marketing Tips

Have you tried reaching out to your fellow local entrepreneurs? Think about what you have to offer other pros. Introduce yourself, explain your company and mention what it is you are pitching then see how it goes. Nothing ventured, nothing gained…

You have nothing to lose by trying to network with someone such as a local business or professional group. Of course you should try to tie yourself and your company to people and business that have a high standing in the community that you service. Avoid associating with companies with bad reputations; that would just harm your business.

​Networking is not about selling; it is about making contacts that can help you sell something in the future. It is about gaining access to someone else’s customer base because thy vouch for you. You offer to help them and to recommend their services to your customers in return they will tell their clients about your services.

There are tools to help the inexperienced networker get started. Of course, you’ll need business cards to give out. Keep in mind that when you are online you should be giving out your digital version of a business card to accomplish the same things you seek when networking offline.

You have to supply your potential networking partners with your contact info and a catchy slogan with a memorable business tag line. What you give people digitally, over the net, needs to be shareable, just as your business card can be given by one person to another with a recommendation to call you. Digitally your network partners need you to supply the means for them to quickly pass on your name, a brief bio and contact information without much effort on their part.

Know that there are so many distractions when a person is online because lots of things are vying for one’s attention. That means people will not take the time to recommend or refer you if it is going to be a difficult task to do so.

You have to produce the videos for others to share. You have to publish the great informative articles and create stimulating website pages so people can share links to your best work. You have to make it easy for others to describe why you are so special.

If it is too difficult to refer you and your company, people will skip doing it. Accept that if they do not refer you, it is not their fault…it is your fault! Yes, assume that even if they genuinely like you and your company they will never go too far out of their way to recommend you…or anyone else.  So, make it easy for your networking partners. Give them the tools to give you glowing recommendations. Supply great stories about you and your company so they have great things to say about you. Provide stimulating photos of you and your coworkers in action.  

Keep in mind that your networking partners do not work for you. You are not paying them to promote your business. Therefore, you may want to offer a referral fee or a commission on orders you make from new clients that your networking partners bring to you. Be generous with incentives you offer for business referrals. This is business that you would not be privy to without being told about it by your networking associates so make sure you always go way overboard with thanking your network partners even if their introduction does not pan out for you. Yes, definitely thank them, even if the referral does not do business with you.

IMPORTANT: Shy entrepreneurs and novice professionals think they can just connect once, make a good impression and someone will start sending you business. It rarely works out like that. Networking is a business relationship that needs to be nurtured.

You will have to check in with your networking partners from time to time, just as you would with a friend or a beloved family member, just to see what they have been up to lately. Again it is not supposed to be a visit or a phone call only to ask if they met anyone recently that might be a good business lead for you. It requires timely, friendly visits to catch up. Say, “hi.” Don't just  say, "How's business?" Ask about the pro’s family members. Show you care about them personally too.

​Business networking is not a one sided relationship where you take; you have to give more than you’ll ever get to be an effective successful networker.
]]><![CDATA[Networking is a Skill that is Vital to All Businesses]]>Mon, 13 Aug 2018 12:44:35 GMThttp://gurumarketingtips.com/networking/networking-is-a-skill-that-is-vital-to-all-businesses
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Networking and Growing Important Business Relationships...
                 By Stu Leventhal – Guru Marketing tips

​You have to make connections to really grow your business. It is not enough to just offer great products or services at great prices. Relationships form the strength of an organization. Forming partnerships and alliances is how a company grows into markets that they otherwise would have a tough time entering into.

Meet the right person and your career can blossom in any industry. The right person can open doors for you that you never knew existed. But you have to get out and mingle to take part in networking. You must hone your social skills to be able to connect with strangers. Get comfortable with talking about yourself because you have to ask all the people that you already know; if they know anyone who can help you with growing your business.  

We all know people and they know other people. If you do not ask for an introduction, no one will ever think to introduce you. When a friend tells their other friend about you and your business that is your foot in the door.

So the best networking is done offline but you do use all of the modern online communication stuff to help you converse and keep in touch. People who fail at networking usually go after gaining too much volume of new connections. Know that you cannot handle meeting 1000 new people on a single weekend and expect to form lasting, fruitful business relationships with each person. That is wishful thinking.

A good networker learns how to make the most of each connection that they have so that they do not really need so many connections. You want quality people in your network not just thousands of people.

You have to nurture a relationship before you can ask someone to purchase something from you or to hire you. Yes, you can meet someone the first time online in a chatroom or on social media but understand that the person is also meeting plenty of other folks online beside you. It is often quite more difficult to convince a person whom you have never met face to face to do business with you, although it does happen all the time.

Are you trying to connect with specific folks whom you have identified as those whose acquaintance can help further your career? Yes, it is important to try to drum up new business anywhere and with anyone but you will do better if you have a set goal of meeting specific people whom you know can help your business. Not everyone you network with has to become a customer of yours; some may be the bridge that can get you to new customers.   

First you identify who the type of customer is that you would prefer doing business with. Next you make a list of people whom you know are already doing business with your ideal, new, customer prospects. Now you have to brainstorm on how you can meet those people already serving your potential client pool. What is your strategy for after you meet some business professionals that already serve the customers you want to supply things for? Are you prepared to offer a commission for any new customer they send your way? Will you propose forming a partnership with your new friends? Are you going to try to purchase their customer mailing list? How about discussing putting ads on each other's websites.

Did you ask your new business friends if they would like to be a guest blogger on your blog? Guest blogging is a great way for each of you to introduce your selves and your services to each others fans, audiences and customers.

How are you going to keep in touch now that you've made a few new business acquaintances? Did you get their biz card? Do you have software to punch their biz card info into a system that will help you communicate timely and keep track of your relationship building progress with all of your networking partners? Does their biz card list their social media accounts? Have you asked which social media platforms they use most? 

Did you practice your proposal pitches the day before attending an important networking event?

You may only get one chance to pitch your idea for a joint venture together with a new acquaintance. Think, why should another person want to work with you? What do you have to offer the partnership? How will the other person benefit? Bear in mind that few people will help you for free so there has to be something in it for both parties. People helping people, is what networking is all about.

So let’s say you have identified a person who can help your business; now what?

Ask yourself if you know anyone who knows the person you wish to meet. If so then you need to ask your friend to introduce you. Coach your friend on what to say about you. If your friend agrees to hook you up with a meeting then make sure you ask your friend about the prospective networking partner. Find out all you can about the person before you get together so that you can make the most of your meeting.

You always have to prepare for any meeting with a stranger because you never want to risk embarrassing your friend who is going out on a limb to help you. If you let your friend down they will understandably shy away from introducing you to anyone in the future.

Remember to make a big deal out of thanking people who introduce you to potential networking partners even if the meeting does not pan out in a business way as you had hoped. If an introduction does turn out to be very fruitful for you and your company then it is customary for you to buy your friend who introduced you a gift or take them out for a nice diner to say thanks.

Networking is common sense mostly. You have to be polite and gracious, smile and be cordial. Try to win the person over with your personality before you start pitching sales offers. We do business with those we like and feel comfortable with. We also want to trust a business acquaintance and know that we can rely on a vendor, supplier or service before we commit to buying from or hiring a new company or professional.

Once you are introduced to a VIP business connection, a celebrity or an industry leader or influencer, you need to be prepared to make the most of your introduction. This person can propel you or your business to stardom so act accordingly. You must bring you’re A-game!
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