Tuesday, August 7, 2012
To be Successful at Networking - Do This!
9:57 PM | 
Posted by
Ockert J Möller Personal/Spirital Development |
You know the old Boy Scouts motto: always be prepared. And when it comes to networking meetings, preparation can go a long way towards boosting your success.
There are five key steps to effective preparation before you head to a networking meeting: You need to choose the right meeting, have the right mindset, establish yourself as an expert and knowledge broker, and get ready to broker connections. Finally, you should also know how to introduce yourself in a way that will attract your ideal prospects and referral partners.
Step 1: Choose the right place to network
Networking meetings are an investment in time, and usually money as well. So before you choose a meeting, find out who will be there. The key question to keep in mind is this: Will the people you meet there have the kinds of contacts that will benefit you? If you're at a meeting of accountants, and you're looking to meet alternative health practitioners, this meeting might not be a good fit.
Step 2: Have a networking mindset
Remember gumball machines? You put in a coin, turn the knob & out pops a gumball! And some people approach networking meetings the same way. They expect to walk in, pay their R 5.00, and out pops a referral or a business deal. It doesn't work that way.
Instead of approaching networking meetings as ways to meet new clients, why not focus on meeting people and building relationships and referral partners. You'll be more successful, and in the long run, those new alliances can lead to more business to.
Step 3: Be an expert and knowledge broker
At a meeting where it's all about talking to each other, it helps to have something to talk about - something useful. And since most networking meetings are about business, it will be useful to know about current affairs and have educated opinions about issues that are relevant to your fellow networkers.
So pick up the paper, surf the web, and make sure to gather up a nice stash of information before you head off to your networking meetings. Being well-informed will make you someone who people will want to connect with.
Step 4: Prepare to be a contact broker
In addition to gathering up your information, also go over your list of people you know, people you might be able to refer to others. At the same time, you might know of other people who could use some referrals themselves. Once you're at the meeting, keep your eyes and ears open, and when an opportunity arises, make the connections and introductions. The more connections you make, the more will come your way as well.
Step 5: Create an effective introduction
To be successful at networking, you also need to have the kind of introduction that gets people's attention and makes them want to know more... especially those people who could be your ideal target clients and referral partners. So before you head out for a meeting, get clear whom you're trying to reach and what you're doing for them. Then, add a short story and finish with a call to action.
Having an effective introduction or "audio logo" will go a long way towards attracting your perfect prospects and referral partners. It speaks to them and will make them want to talk to you to find out more. And there's more. Audio logos aren't just a stand-up affair, but you should also be able to use them in conversation. People don't like to be talked at. Instead, give them morsels of information and wait for them to ask for more.
