10 Steps to Successful Networking
10 Steps to Successful Networking
by Martin Cohn
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
This old saying rings true in everything we do, especially in business. Finding contacts is key to the success of your business, and a great place to meet these contacts is at networking meetings or events. It is not enough just to attend networking gatherings, you need to know how to network. There are many sources of networking tips and information, but the following are ten tips that I find most useful.
1. Set a goal prior to the event
Figure out who will be in attendance. Decide who you would like to target and what you would like to take away from the event. Having a specific goal will ensure that you remain focused and will have success.
2. Pre-plan personal greeting
You need to get a person’s interest right away or you’ve lost your chance. Planning a personal greeting before hand will be very helpful. The greeting should be not more than thirty seconds long, interesting, informative and about you. You need to sell yourself before you can sell a product or service.
3. Be first to arrive and last to leave
The longer you stay, the more contacts you will meet.
4. Be aware of how you smell
Sounds funny? It’s really a very important part of how people react to you. Do not smell like a cigarette. Many people find it very disgusting, and it can create a negative first impression. Also, your favorite perfume or cologne may not be another person’s favorite. Be sure that when applying these scents that you do so lightly. A strong scent can be overbearing and force people to go as far from you as they can.
5. Be positive and enthusiastic
Nobody like to be rejected, but if you don’t at least try to talk to someone you may lose out on an opportunity. Keeping a positive attitude will increase the positive results. Additionally, nobody wants to be around an unhappy person. Be sure that you are in an upbeat mood before you enter the event and keep smiling the entire time.
6. Spend time with people you don’t know
Although it is okay to spend some time with acquaintances you’ve already made, the majority of your time should be spent meeting new people. People with whom you are already friendly know what you offer. Networking meetings should enable you to expand your contact list.
7. Say the other person’s name three times
A person’s name is a pleasing sound for them. In addition, repeating the name will help you to remember it. People are really impressed when you remember their name the next time that you see them after you had only met briefly before.
8. Collect business cards with a purpose
When you leave you have a stack of business cards, great? It is only good to have a lot of business cards if each one allows you to an action. They should have notes on the back giving you a follow up opportunity with the person.
9. Learn what the other person does
You don’t want to spend all of your time explaining what you do. First, find out what the other person does. Not only do people love to talk about themselves, but it will give you time to understand their needs and how you may be of service to them.
10. Dress for success
Attractive people receive attention. This doesn’t mean you have to the be the star of a beauty pageant to meet contact. Anyone can be attractive with the right attire. Dress for a networking meeting as you would if you were going to visit your biggest client. A sharp, neat, and coordinated attire is sure to focus all eyes on you!
10 Steps to Successful Networking - To learn more about this author, visit Martin Cohn's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
10 Steps to Successful Networking
by Martin Cohn
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
This old saying rings true in everything we do, especially in business. Finding contacts is key to the success of your business, and a great place to meet these contacts is at networking meetings or events. It is not enough just to attend networking gatherings, you need to know how to network. There are many sources of networking tips and information, but the following are ten tips that I find most useful.
1. Set a goal prior to the event
Figure out who will be in attendance. Decide who you would like to target and what you would like to take away from the event. Having a specific goal will ensure that you remain focused and will have success.
2. Pre-plan personal greeting
You need to get a person’s interest right away or you’ve lost your chance. Planning a personal greeting before hand will be very helpful. The greeting should be not more than thirty seconds long, interesting, informative and about you. You need to sell yourself before you can sell a product or service.
3. Be first to arrive and last to leave
The longer you stay, the more contacts you will meet.
4. Be aware of how you smell
Sounds funny? It’s really a very important part of how people react to you. Do not smell like a cigarette. Many people find it very disgusting, and it can create a negative first impression. Also, your favorite perfume or cologne may not be another person’s favorite. Be sure that when applying these scents that you do so lightly. A strong scent can be overbearing and force people to go as far from you as they can.
5. Be positive and enthusiastic
Nobody like to be rejected, but if you don’t at least try to talk to someone you may lose out on an opportunity. Keeping a positive attitude will increase the positive results. Additionally, nobody wants to be around an unhappy person. Be sure that you are in an upbeat mood before you enter the event and keep smiling the entire time.
6. Spend time with people you don’t know
Although it is okay to spend some time with acquaintances you’ve already made, the majority of your time should be spent meeting new people. People with whom you are already friendly know what you offer. Networking meetings should enable you to expand your contact list.
7. Say the other person’s name three times
A person’s name is a pleasing sound for them. In addition, repeating the name will help you to remember it. People are really impressed when you remember their name the next time that you see them after you had only met briefly before.
8. Collect business cards with a purpose
When you leave you have a stack of business cards, great? It is only good to have a lot of business cards if each one allows you to an action. They should have notes on the back giving you a follow up opportunity with the person.
9. Learn what the other person does
You don’t want to spend all of your time explaining what you do. First, find out what the other person does. Not only do people love to talk about themselves, but it will give you time to understand their needs and how you may be of service to them.
10. Dress for success
Attractive people receive attention. This doesn’t mean you have to the be the star of a beauty pageant to meet contact. Anyone can be attractive with the right attire. Dress for a networking meeting as you would if you were going to visit your biggest client. A sharp, neat, and coordinated attire is sure to focus all eyes on you!
10 Steps to Successful Networking - To learn more about this author, visit Martin Cohn's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
| |||
 |
No article feedback found. | ||
|
Leave Your Feedback | ||
|
|||
 5 Tips To Networking Effectively
| |||
| If you own a business, or just want to expand the amount of contacts that you have, networking may be in your best interest. This is the practice of simply building the amount of contacts that you have. You can use ... |
|||
|
Tips for Successful Networking
| |||
| In the business world, networking involves making contact with other people and it’s one of the most important skills of successful influencers. Ask any successful business person and they will tell you that above a... |
|||
|
Endless Referrals
| |||
| The intent and theme of Bob Burg's book, "Endless Referrals" is how to get people to know you, like you, and trust you. They should also want to see you succeed, and want to help you to find new business. |
|||
|
NETWORKING ISNT SELLING OR IS IT
| |||
| Most experts agree that networking isn't selling. The question is....are they right or wrong? |
|||
|
Something you have, not something you do
| |||
 I'm always trying to find ways to stop saying "Networking." (It's about RELATIONSHIPS, folks!) Never Eat Alone reader Chad Cheek gave me some simple but powerful ammunition.
|
|||
| |||
Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
|||
Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
|||
Kim CastleWith nearly two decades in the advertising and design business, with clients like Domino's Pizza, General Motors, Direct TV, Pedigree, Wolfgang Puck, Higher Octave Music, Hollywood Celebrity Products, Disney, and Paramount, as well as thousands of entrepreneurs around the world define, structure, communicate, and position their business for greater profits, BrandU(R) co-creators Kim Castle and W. Vito Montone discovered that entrepreneurs could experience the same power that big brands command for a fraction of the cost with the world's only process-based results-drive Integral approach to business creation. BrandU(R) is helping entrepreneurs grow with the power of extreme clarity from idea...to brand...to market(TM) and helping one million entrepreneurs become successful and whole so that they can make a difference in the world. Are you one of them? If you want to experience clarity all the way to the bank(TM), get started now at http://www.brandu.com. - Visit Kim Castle's Website |
|||
|
To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us. | |||
 | |
 Martin Cohn (Visit Martin's Website) Martin Cohn has close to thirty-five years of public relations experience. He has provided pr counsel to a wide variety of organizations.
|  |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
| Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media |
|
|
 |
| Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details. |
 |
 | ||
 |
||
 |
||
|
||
|
| ||
|
|
|
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
|
|
|
 |
 Why New Businesses Fail Instant Yellow Pages Business vs Personal Self-Employment Guide Recession Proof |
|
 | ||
 |
Top 50 Marketing Blogs
Top Marketing Blogs of 2009 | |
 |
Top 50 Blogs For Startups
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008 | |
| ||
 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
||||||||||
