If you think you
are just not cut out for networking, and it's all about pushing your products
and services then think again! With the right attitude and approach you may even
enjoy it!
The simple art of networking to grow your business
Networking - online or
offline - even the word is enough to send many capable business owners diving
for cover with excuses like "I'm just too busy, maybe next month", "I'm really
not good at that sort of thing", and "Oh God, I'd rather do the dishes!" Well
it's time to take a whole new look at networking because targeted, planned, well
executed networking can be one of the most effective marketing activities you
will ever do.
Great networking is a
very cost, time and energy efficient marketing activity - a recipe all
businesses love! But before we delve into the details of what great networking
entails, and how to use it effectively in marketing your business, let's just
clear up a few misconceptions.
What effective networking is not.
-
Net coffee
-
Net meeting
-
Net chatting
-
Net drinking. NetWORKing is WORK!
What effective networking is.
Networking is all
about building relationships with others for mutual
gain. It's an opportunity to work together with people to grow your
business while also ensuring that they are receiving benefits from their
relationship with you. It's a two-way street of mutual support and assistance.
Networking is a
very active marketing tactic. It's an activity you need to
plan, prepare for, set goals around, and regularly evaluate and measure the
effectiveness of.
Networking is a
very low cost or even free marketing activity. It doesn't take
large amounts of cash or require a big proportion of your marketing budget.
However there may be some hidden costs that need to be accounted for.
Networking is a
very effective way to gain the people and practical resources
you need to grow your business. It is a tried and true method of finding
customers, suppliers and staff, learning about your competitors and gaining new
skills to assist you in managing and growing your business.
Getting Ready to Network - The Right Attitude
Success at networking
does take the right attitude and the right approach:
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Remember 'Givers Gain". Approach networking with what you can give to others, and how you can help them solve problems.
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What can you give to the people you meet
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Think about what is in it for them.
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Be generous
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Aim to be memorable!
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Will they remember you?
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What will they remember about you?
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Will you be the person they talk about when someone asks them how the event went?
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What will they say about meeting you?
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What have you given them to help them remember you?
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Have fun - and look like you are having fun!
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Remember people do business with people, no matter what you are selling, so always start by establishing a good relationship with the person at an individual level.
"A mans feelings of
goodwill towards others is the strongest magnet for drawing goodwill towards
himself."
Lord Chesterfield 1694 - 1771 English Statesman
Lord Chesterfield 1694 - 1771 English Statesman
Get the whole story
To develop your own networking
skills, upgrade your membership to Standard or Full to access
the complete October issue of mymarketingexpert featuring:
-
A simple 4-step guide to effective networking
-
How to assess whether your business card is working for you, and if not what to do about it
-
Knowing where to network
-
An 11 point checklist to rate and improve your own networking ability
-
The 6 traits of great networkers
-
22 tips on how to start and engage in conversation with people you don't know
-
10 things to take with you to networking events
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Plus 10 additional networking tips to give you that extra level of confidence
Greg Longstaff
Business Development Consultant
Franchise Network Specialist
greg@salesmarket.co.nz
+64 9.307.7860
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