Steps
- Join one or more business networking groups.
- Do business with people who do business with you and let people that you do business with know that you would appreciate their business as well.
- Become involved in your community - this serves your community well and it really expands your relationships at the same time.
- Always be on time and provide excellent service.
- Ask your customers if you can use them for a reference.
- Ask questions about other peoples' business wherever you go. People love to talk about what they do - be sincere in finding out what they do. You may not be able to use their service, but might know someone who could. When you give referrals, you get referrals.
- Hand out your business cards wherever you go.
Tips
- Have fresh breath ? keep breath mints in your pocket
- Smile and introduce yourself
- Have smooth, manicured hands and a firm handshake
- Always look right in your contact?s eyes and do not look around the room while you are having a discussion with someone
- Rehearse your 30 second commercial about your company prior to the meeting
- When introducing yourself, be clear, concise and personable
- If you are at a social event, do not hold a drink in your right hand as there is nothing worse than a cold, wet handshake
- Do not talk too long - nobody likes a bore!
- Wear your name tag on the right side
- Always have plenty of business cards
- Ask your new contact what they do and always ask for their business card
- Wear a jacket or another article of clothing that has two pockets ? one pocket is for your business cards to be handed out and one pocket is for the cards that you receive.
- If you have time - make notes on the back of the business card so that you can remember your contact or special information that you may need about them
- Email or send a note the day after the meeting stating it was a pleasure to meet them and follow-up on how you can work together if you see a business connection with them
- Always stand-up when you are describing what you do
- In 1 minute ? describe your business, what distinguishes your business from the competition and describe what a good lead for you would be
- Be visible at every event that you possibly can
- Stay in touch with your contacts and send them information that may be helpful in their business
- Always be sincere ? if you aren?t ? people will know it
- Never assume people understand what your business is about ? you may clean carpets, but maybe people don?t know you also do upholstery cleaning, that you may sell cleaning supplies for spots, that you clean grout on tile, that you do residential as well as commercial cleaning, etc.
- Remember that it is not how many people that you meet at an event that counts ? it is, will the people that you have met remember you when the event is over
- Be a resource for people that you meet ? gratitude makes for quicker relationship building
- People do business with people they know or trust - or through referrals from friends and acquaintances - Get Known - Be visible!
Warnings
- If you attend networking events hoping to find business right away, you will be disappointed. Business referrals usually come through developed relationships. Build your relationship with someone and then ask for their business. Give them business as well. Referrals are not one sided!
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