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9 Tips For Successful Business Networking
Networking is one of the most powerful free marketing and publicity tools available to business owners. It is a great opportunity to position yourself as an expert and start creating a buzz for your business.
By: Julissa Fernandez
Networking is one of the most powerful free marketing and publicity tools available to business owners. It is a great opportunity to position yourself as an expert and start creating a buzz for your business.
By: Julissa Fernandez
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But effective networking requires some key habits you need to start putting into place if you want it to bring you results. Otherwise, you will be spending lots of time and energy.
It's easy to confuse networking with socializing. The difference is networking is done for a business purpose. Socializing is done for fun. And while, I believe networking can be fun it should not be taken as an opportunity to trash yourself and become a party animal. It should also not be the place to hide behind tables and in corners.
Here are 9 tips to help you achieve successful business networking:
1. Go to events and groups where your target market is present.
There is no sense in going to events full of people not interested in your help. Ask yourself before attending any networking event or group "does my target market hang out here?" If the answer is no, skip it. If it's yes, be there consistently. This should be considered before joining any paid organizations and chambers as well. For example, I recently joined my local chamber of commerce. Before I signed up I did my homework and found out that out of 600 members one third of them are in my target market. That's 200 people I have access to and if we just consider 1% of them being my clients that's 20 potential clients. So was it worth joining my chamber? Yes!
2. Set an intention. Decide what you want to achieve at each event.
Before entering any event set an intention for what you want to achieve and who you would like to meet. Being clear on this makes it a lot easier to attract the circumstances you want and have people at the event help you as well. Don't be afraid to know what you want and ask for it. You'd be amazed at what will come to you when you put this into practice.
3. Be authentic.
There's nothing more repelling than an inauthentic person. Hype and arrogance can be detected a mile away. And part of networking is creating relationships and alliances. When you are not being authentic people catch the vibe and will not be interested in knowing more about you or helping you meet other people. Be yourself. This has a lot to do with believing in what you do and loving it. If you don't, chances are you will be perceived as trying to beat people over the head with a sell. That's not working so much these days. So definitely be yourself; be real.
4. Offer Value.
When you are networking it's easy to get really into "your story". But the truth is people really want to know what it is you offer that will help them solve their problems. So identify 3 really valuable things you can offer people that are free and offer it to them. Offer so much value that you think you may be offering too much. People appreciate this and this establishes relationships. This is part of creating ongoing relationships and not just one time sells. You want your clients to be with you forever and it starts with offering value to them before they become your clients.
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Entrepreneur Julissa Fernandez a.k.a "The Sassy Media Guru" is a Media Coach and Media Consultant helping other women entrepreneurs become Media Darlings. To learn more visit: www.synergycommunication.net.
It's easy to confuse networking with socializing. The difference is networking is done for a business purpose. Socializing is done for fun. And while, I believe networking can be fun it should not be taken as an opportunity to trash yourself and become a party animal. It should also not be the place to hide behind tables and in corners.
Here are 9 tips to help you achieve successful business networking:
1. Go to events and groups where your target market is present.
There is no sense in going to events full of people not interested in your help. Ask yourself before attending any networking event or group "does my target market hang out here?" If the answer is no, skip it. If it's yes, be there consistently. This should be considered before joining any paid organizations and chambers as well. For example, I recently joined my local chamber of commerce. Before I signed up I did my homework and found out that out of 600 members one third of them are in my target market. That's 200 people I have access to and if we just consider 1% of them being my clients that's 20 potential clients. So was it worth joining my chamber? Yes!
2. Set an intention. Decide what you want to achieve at each event.
Before entering any event set an intention for what you want to achieve and who you would like to meet. Being clear on this makes it a lot easier to attract the circumstances you want and have people at the event help you as well. Don't be afraid to know what you want and ask for it. You'd be amazed at what will come to you when you put this into practice.
3. Be authentic.
There's nothing more repelling than an inauthentic person. Hype and arrogance can be detected a mile away. And part of networking is creating relationships and alliances. When you are not being authentic people catch the vibe and will not be interested in knowing more about you or helping you meet other people. Be yourself. This has a lot to do with believing in what you do and loving it. If you don't, chances are you will be perceived as trying to beat people over the head with a sell. That's not working so much these days. So definitely be yourself; be real.
4. Offer Value.
When you are networking it's easy to get really into "your story". But the truth is people really want to know what it is you offer that will help them solve their problems. So identify 3 really valuable things you can offer people that are free and offer it to them. Offer so much value that you think you may be offering too much. People appreciate this and this establishes relationships. This is part of creating ongoing relationships and not just one time sells. You want your clients to be with you forever and it starts with offering value to them before they become your clients.
Page 2
Entrepreneur Julissa Fernandez a.k.a "The Sassy Media Guru" is a Media Coach and Media Consultant helping other women entrepreneurs become Media Darlings. To learn more visit: www.synergycommunication.net.
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Entrepreneurs Learn From Amway's Success In Network Marketing
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