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.
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.
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