Those who know me will be aware of how massively passionate I am about Networking and of my one woman mission to encourage businesses (particularly new businesses) to learn to love this amazing opportunity that takes place all over the country, on all days of the week and at all times of day, so there’s really no excuse not to give it a chance. What have you got to lose?
Whether mornings are your thing, or you prefer a lunchtime or evening meeting there are groups and opportunities to suit your working day and work life balance.
My preferred group is www.4networking.biz and you can find out more about their 300+ groups via their website. This blog is not an advert for 4Networking although the temptation to rave about my journey at 4N is overwhelming.
Many people think that they can’t afford to join a regular networking group. I’d say you can’t afford not to. Of course, for a new business all costs have to be ‘weighed’ up and justified. I’m not just talking financial investment but also emotional investment but as any financial expert will advise, if you don’t invest, you’ll get no return.
No genuine networking group should profess to do it all for you. They can only facilitate, and of course some do a better job of that than others. The best way to find the type of networking that ‘works’ for you is to try several but remember, you should network in the style that suits you, not that suits the group. You MUST be yourself and speak out and speak clearly.
You need to make your investment work for you and the only way to do that is to make an effort, engage and as I like to say ‘put yourself about a bit’.
You may find the following key tips useful for your business networking journey. Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences of networking in the comments field and get in touch if I can advise or help in any way.
- 1. Sample several groups in your local area (or the area that you want to promote your business to). Most groups offer the chance to visit several times as a visitor to ‘suss out’ whether they are right for you. DO NOT be pressurised into membership. A genuine group should sell itself. If it feels right, it probably is right but only you can decide.
- 2. Be prepared. Don’t miss a single opportunity. Remember your business cards and flyers. Prepare your ‘Elevator Pitch’ and be very clear about the message you want to convey. And remember using notes as a prompt IS OK!
- 3. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t. Dress in a way that reflects you and your business. In 2011 suits aren’t always the best dress code and your appearance should reflect your personality and business. It’s another form of non verbal communication.
- 4. Talk to people. Tough though it may be don’t wait for people to approach you, because they may not (sad but true). Don’t assume that everyone else knows everyone else in the room, they probably don’t.
- 5. Swot up on small talk. You’ll be amazed how easy it is to ‘dry up’ unless you have mastered the art of verbal diarrhoea in the way that I have! Talk about the venue, the coffee, the traffic whatever it takes.
- 6. Ask questions, questions, questions. Bizarre as it sounds, don’t try to sell your business. Listen, listen, listen. You’ll be amazed what information people will share with you when you make them feel relaxed and ask open questions.
- 7. Follow up on your promises. If you promise to forward some information, make to someone after the meeting, make sure that you do. If you planned to forward diary dates for a follow up meeting, make sure that you do.
Much of the above is common sense but you’d be amazed how many people don’t follow these few simple rules.
Most importantly, get out there, make some decisions and stick with it. There are no quick fixes in business. If you business is new or flagging, the one thing you are is ‘time rich’ and there lies your biggest opportunity.
If you would like help with perfecting your Elevator Pitch or your networking techniques, we can help. Call Heather for an informal chat about how we can help you get the most out of your networking journey.
