Networking Tips.
Networking Tips
Aside from your various personal reasons, the main motivation for going to a networking event is to find new leads and generate new business.
The result you get from this will depend on how you present yourself to the other people in attendance.
And believe me... I've just seen everything!
Some people just ramble on about what happened to them during the week. Sometimes it's not even their business.
But... in a one-on-one conversation, you only get a few precious seconds to make that good first impression.
In many networking groups, you get 30 to 60 seconds to introduce to yourself to the group. For some 15 seconds.
So... make the most of the opportunity to get your message across and ask for that specific lead or contact you're looking for.
How to get the most out of your 30 to 60 seconds.
Really, it all boils down to asking for detail in networking.
The Rambler.
As I mentioned above, some people just ramble on about what happened to them during the week. And sometimes it has nothing to do with anything going on in their business.
It's usually deadly boring and a real turn-off.
This is quite a waste of networking opportunities. Why are they even there?
Then there are those who get away with just their name grade and serial number!
We are a tire company and we sell tires.
This is stating the obvious.
Some people just say what their business does, which is certainly an improvement on rambling but doesn't really represent the business in the best way.
And that won't motivate most people to networking for them.
Features.
Some people talk about the features of their product or service.
We sell tires and they are round.
Again, it's just an improvement over the stroller, but the benefits far outweigh the features.
We sell tires instead of giving you a smooth and safe ride.
Every sales guru will tell you that people relate to benefits, and it's true because they see what's in it for them. Benefits specific to them for using or referring a product or service.
Ask for what you want.
Perhaps the most focused networking skill is to for exactly what you want in terms of business leads or contacts.
And when you're in a networking group that meets regularly, it can be even more powerful.
We sell tires, and the reference I would like is for taxi fleet or bus fleet owners.
I remember a real estate agent who had a lot of success contacting FSBOs {for sale by owners} for property lsiting.
Their biggest challenge was finding all the Facebooks in their area.
So this real estate agent used his 30 seconds to ask people to point out houses for sale by owners and give the phone number to the agent who would then conatct the property owners.
This was a great source of semi-qualified leads for real estate agents and they generated new listings this way.
What about you?
So what is your specific request for a lead or contact?
Who would you like to meet to do business with?
How are you going to frame your message to convey it accurately and concisely?
Do some practice now.