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6 Steps to Productive and Profitable Networking

Written by: Lorraine Pirihi

Article Overview: Observing many people when I'm out and about attending various business related functions, I'm convinced that so many of them do not realize how powerful it is to make the effort to meet others and network. Networking is great for business ... if you do it right and have a system in place to follow up. Follow these 6 simple steps and you'll find that you're networking experiences will be much more productive and profitable.

6 Steps to Productive and Profitable Networking

Observing many people when I'm out and about attending various business related functions, I'm convinced that so many of them do not realize how powerful it is to make the effort to meet others and network.

Networking is great for business ... if you do it right and have a system in place to follow up.

Follow these 6 simple steps and you'll find that you're networking experiences will be much more productive and profitable.

Step No. 1
The successful networker always carries their business cards with them. They have stacks of cards in their diary, purse, wallet, all bags... briefcases, laptop, handbag, car and office.

Before they step outside the front door in the morning, they check they have their business cards.

They know their card is a crucial promotional tool and ensure that the information on it clearly says what they do, has all their contact details and the design is attractive. The super successful networker likes to stand out from the crowd and will have a card that stands out too. Often they'll have a photo of themselves on it and information on the back stating what they specialize in.

Step No. 2
When you meet the superstar networker they will ask you questions about yourself and your business and they will genuinely LISTEN TO YOU. They will focus their attention on you and maintain eye contact. They will ask you for your business card and offer you one of theirs.

Step No. 3
The successful networker will write on the back of your business card where they met you and a couple of key points about you, so they remember who you are. They may do that immediately afterwards or later that day.

Step No. 4
The superstar networker may provide you with a contact to help you and will expect nothing in return as they know what goes around comes around.

Step No. 5
The successful networker will have a follow-up system. They will enter the details of the relevant contacts they have made into their database and communicate with those people within a couple of days. They'll ring or send an email, card or letter saying it was great to meet you, include information of the goods/services they offer which may benefit you. If they sent you information they'll FOLLOW-UP usually by phone a couple of days later.

Step No. 6
The successful networker knows that the power of networking is in building relationships. They will stay in touch with you via an occasional letter, email, phone call or newsletter.

The Final Word

Never underestimate how powerful networking is. It works if you work it. I know because it has played a huge part in the success of my own business.

Make the most of your opportunities in the future, learn how to network effectively on an on-going basis and you will see the dramatic impact it will have on your business.

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Article Tags: briefcases, business card, business cards, contact details, crowd, diary, experiences, eye contact, handbag, laptop, networker, networking, photo, purse, simple steps, stacks, superstar, wallet



Related Forum Posts
Re: Make Friends...Literally BUILD them! - I agree! Networking is definitely the key word here. What does everyone feel about the different Networking platforms out there? Twitter Facebook LinkedIn what are some others?
Re: How can a social networking site make serious money? - Hi There, It is quite interesting, that some Social Networking do produce an income. I think testimonials are always a benefit to share. See one below: This Social Network has changed my life! Every night is a Friday night and everyday is a Saturday!! Because of it, I have been able to leave the workforce 10 years early.It has given me back my life. Many of us would like to retire early. I am sure there are many more. The point is of focusing with great determination. The ongoing challenge is to stay focussed and not be sidetracked into a newer scheme or so. Also I have read, during this financial turmoil, more people turn to Social Networking for various reasons.
Re: Make Friends...Literally BUILD them! - [quote="burnsrunner":1zobscwk]I agree! Networking is definitely the key word here. What does everyone feel about the different Networking platforms out there? Twitter Facebook LinkedIn what are some others?[/quote:1zobscwk] I am on Twitter and Linkedin, have not joined Facebook yet as my time is fairly limited and one needs a lot of time to devote to all these various networking platforms. Unless you do this full time (the networking I mean). MichelleJ
How to you re-fresh yourself? - Productive time improvement is about increasing the time that you, your staff or your organisation has available for front-line service delivery; and making sure that time is being used to best effect - "working smarter" by: - doing the right things - (eliminate unnecessary work) - the right way - (use standard, streamlined processes) - with the right people - (right skills, availability, location) - using the right tools and equipment. But we all will agree that somewhere we don't follow these and give ourselves a break. When I give myself a break, I a. play online games b. chat on Internet c. Listen to some soft music What you do when you are not "working smarter"?
Re: Most and Least Profitable Businesses to Start - I can say something about the "Least Profitable Businesses to Start" when someone thinks about creating a product before knowing what the market really wants. This happens more often than people realize. People often get trapped into coming up with something it might work but if the market doesn't want that kind of stuff, no matter how innovative the idea may be, it'll turn bad. Like I might be able to come up a way to "... store all of my spam emails into one junk box and keep it stored on the web forever!" -- hey, who wants that kind of stuff.


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