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How To Integrate Your Online Networking with In-Person Events for Best Results

Written by: Michael Kreppein

Article Overview: Many entrepreneurs who network with other business professionals should consider an integrated approach to networking. For best results, make sure your online presence matches your in-person efforts.

How To Integrate Your Online Networking with In-Person Events for Best Results

Many entrepreneurs who network with other business professionals should consider an integrated approach to networking. For best results, make sure your online presence matches your in-person efforts.

3 Must-do's for in-person networking

* Show Up! You need to be prepared to network. That means bringing enough business cards to hand out. Bring a pen and a notebook. Part of showing up is being able to articulate your message. Can you articulate your message in 5-10 seconds? No one will listen for any longer than that. So make sure your message is relevant. Remind the listener of their problem that you can solve, how you will solve the problem and the benefit you provide that your competitors can't.

* Follow-up! Did you collect the business card of everyone you met? Even though you didn't think you'd want to connect with them again? Of course you did! Because you just never know what they can do for you. I like sending a simple email after the event, "I enjoyed meeting you at the event yesterday and hearing what you do. I had a chance to look at your website this morning. Look forward to connecting to you at a future event. All the best."

* Give to Get! The networkers who GIVE stand out in a crowd because there’s too many ME ME people. Frankly, most of us are ME ME people. But ME ME means not only looking for new business but supporting your current customers. When you GIVE a referral to one of your customers, you’ve enhanced your reputation with that customer. No longer a transaction-based vendor, you’re on your way to trusted advisor status with every good referral you give. It’s much easier to sell to your existing customers vs getting new ones so make sure your customers have you at the top of their mind. Giving referrals to your customers also helps them remember to give you referrals back. And makes them referenceable as well!

Pros of in-person networking:
- Quality of relationship
- Reputation easily built
- Keep your contacts and relationships confidential
- Habit forming

Pros of online networking:
- Quality of contacts
- 24/7 networking
- Long reach of network

Cons of in-person networking:
- Time consuming
- Your competitors are at the same event

Cons of online networking:
- Quality suffers due to quantity
- So much useless data to weed out
- Hard to keep your relationships private

So why not combine the best of in-person networking with online networking? Diane Darling of Effective Networking calls this “hybrid networking.”

Combining allows you to build the quality of an in person network with the reach of the online network
Much of the new social media in online networking, such as pictures, videos, podcasts, group forums help strengthen those relationships

Many local networking groups are offering online capabilities – whether built themselves or thru a trusted partner such as Inquisix. Solutions like BlitzTime are also effective in offering immediacy of in-person with reach of online. That’s one of the reasons we work w/ them.

100% in person or 100% the other way with online is not effective. Capitalize on the best of both and build your own powerful referral network.

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  Preparation Precedes Prosperity When It Comes To Networking Too

Article Tags: benefit, business card, business cards, business professionals, crowd, email, existing customers, future event, listener, networkers, networking, new business, presence, referral, referrals, relationship, relationships, reputation



Related Forum Posts
Re: UPDATES: New Campaign! New Layout! New Ideas! - GT - thanks for the FYI - I'm not sure if we'll put a link back. Something to consider though! Trent - the new category is "Social Network and Media" which was put in to compliment the Online Businesses category that currently exists. Overall the new categories are: - Looking For, Networking and Events - Review My... - Social Network and Media - Brags and Rants These came as a result of Ringo doing research on other forums and thinking about what could be improved on ours to give a better experience for everyone. I hope you enjoy them! David, I'm looking forward to reading your Brag / Rant!
Re: How to develop sales contacts? - Everyone has the right idea here. Depending on your business, there are different techniques that you could use. For consultants and sales heavy businesses, there are three tactics that I have found especially useful in my business: 1. Attend Networking Events 2. Cold Calling 3. Referral Program 4. Affiliate Program (most successful) The affiliate program was successful for me, as I hooked up with a franchise consultant, and he gave multiple unit businesses that needed my credit card processing services. I highly suggest you hook up with a sales partner, and give him a cut of the monthly revenue.
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: Biz Plan Competition - i just wanted to say that posting Small Business Events on CanadaOne is a great resource. Thanks Julie!
Re: What is your Business? - We are running a Online Marketing Firm and we have some good clients to which we are offering a complete Digital Marketing strategy like Search, Mobile Marketing, Branding and Design. I think in Online Marketing company online presence can be a wining factor for the success of the company.


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