Entrepreneurship

Everyone needs to network: entrepreneurs, small businesses, job seekers! But not everyone maximize the benefits of networking? The goal of networking is to build relationships so that you are from someone you know or from someone who knows someone you know to conserve. If you are at a networking event goal is to meet people from different industries to get exposure.

What network is not?

Networking is not a numbers game, you must focus on quality, not quantity. Some people must think it a successful event, if they have 30, 40 or more cards in, but not the real benefit. How many of the 30 or 40 people you can follow up? How many of the 30 or 40 will follow up with you? What is the purpose, to a large number of business cards that will end in a shoe box to gather in one of your shelves?

Networking is not a place to sell. You must be willing to introduce elevator pitch, in order not to give to give a sales pitch. If you expect an event, a customer completing a sale can be instantly find, chances are you will be very disappointed. Otherwise, could the other participants do not appreciate your attitude.

What is networking?

Networking is more than just shaking hands and collecting business cards. It is about building relationships and working to help other traders.

It's about the quality of contacts and not at the level of your contacts.

It's about consistency. The best thing is to belong to two or three groups that regularly attend events to learn to know the other members, and in return they will get to know you and who you trust. When you return to the same people and develop a strong relationship with them. The advantage of building relationships with a committed group of people will bring in new customers for your business.

It's about patience. The show will not appear overnight, and that's why you need to follow up with your contacts. Networking is like dating, one meeting is not enough to get to know someone. It will probably take some time, some meetings, some lunches and a few drinks before you really start a business together.

Here are some tips on how to maximize the utility of a network event.

* Be prepared when you attend a networking event. Know your goals. Looking for leads, partners, new clients, services?

* Bring your business cards and a pen to the instructions on the back of the cards you receive.

* Do you have an effective elevator pitch from 15 to 30 seconds. Learn how to sell yourself before your services or products. People want to hear from you, and only if they are feeling and hope that you will buy your services or refer to someone else.

* Do you have a brochure and / or website. Some people will probably want to hear more later about your business, give them the information they seek, receive.

* Meet people, about their activities and services. Be curious and ask. People love to talk about themselves, so to ask questions and hear their answers.

* Be a problem solver. People are more interested when you tell them how to solve their problems, rather than just hear your story.

* Go to people who do not wait until they come to you. Some people are very shy, they will be very happy if you take the first step.

* Go to events with a friend, a colleague, a customer, and will connect these people.

* Send a thank you note or email to make your new contacts. We thank them for their time and re-introduction to some lines. She met many people during the event and your business card does not say everything about you. Therefore it makes sense to strengthen the implementation.

* Give them to send the link to your website. Tell me about your newsletter if you have one. This is the best way to keep in touch regularly.

* Schedule follow-up meetings with people who had good contact with, or if you think you can help each other.

* Do it again and again. You will see that your contacts can network, which will definitely help to boost growth in your business.