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Tips
Letterman has his Top Ten...
The Cochrane Business Network has
Sixteen Tips to Better Networking!
1. What you put in – Does affect what you get out!
- Before the meeting do a little research on what you want to say.
- It's important that you have the ability to build a rapport with others.
- Research networking ideas and styles. What works? What doesn’t?
- Practice, practice! It helps you to look polished and feel confident.
2. Be Visible
- Wear tasteful clothing.
- Bring lots of Business Cards, Brochures, and Coupons and use them in a proper manner! If they allow for door prizes take advantage of that too!
- What will make you stand out in a crowd (tastefully)?
3. Circulate
- Don’t sit at the same place with the same people all the time.
- Circulate amongst those you do NOT know and be approachable.
- Listen and learn, then ask applicable questions.
4. Start Fresh
- Be ready, not rushed. Be polished.
- Congregate and chat whenever possible, be pleasant.
- Listen to others and ask them questions about them or their business.
- Most people love to talk about themselves so listen intently.
- Offer to help solve their issues whenever you can, if you can!
5. The Eyes of a Stranger
- Always maintain eye contact & pay attention to them.
6. Be Interested & Be Interesting
- Practice this every day when talking with your spouse!
7. One, Two or Three
- Look for people who are on their own.
- A lonely contact is a “one-on-one” and makes for effective networking.
- Always smile when meeting others!
- Introduce yourself with a few well chosen (well practiced) words.
- If approaching a group, stand silently; listen until you have an opportunity.
8. Infomercial
- Tell people what, why, when, who and how - you are there.
- (Know & rehearse your story. Plan it. Be informative, interesting & different).
- What is your true value to others?
- Be catchy, rehearsed & knowledgeable on your topic. Short & Sweet.
- (Tell them your name at the end so they are more likely to remember it).
9 ASK How!
- Always ask the question. “How can I help you?”
- Don’t talk about yourself unless given the opportunity later. Let them go first.
10. The Handshake
- Be first to extend your hand. Be eager to interact.
- Make sure it is a firm and dry handshake.”
11. Get to Know Them
- Ask open-ended questions to determine quickly how to maximize opportunity. “The first meeting is about them, (Not you). Try to find a common denominator.”
11. Card Exchange
- Ask for a business card before they offer it to you.
- Make notes of any follow up on the back of the card. These cards go into your left pocket. Your cards come from your right pocket – this way you won’t fumble.
12. Who do You Know?
- Having someone else introduce you can be valuable.
- A third party introduction can be like an endorsement.
13. Win/Win?
- If the new contact mentions that he's looking to get in touch with a specific person whom you know. Offer to make an introduction for them.
- “Always try to be a connector, the person who brings people together.”
14. We Came, We Met
- Leave with plans to reconnect with everyone you met within the next week.
- “Remember, you're not there to close deals. You are there to “earn the right” to follow up with a call, an email or maybe a meeting.
- Meet with contacts all week long, not just at networking events.
15. Give and You Shall Receive.
- Don’t go to these meetings looking to gain. (It shows).
- Go looking to share and help. If you can help some one else they are more likely to trust you and want to build a relationship with you. Give them a reason. Business is built through relationships and trust.
16. I Still Haven’t Gotten a Referral!
- Ask yourself “Why?”
- What have you helped others with?
- How many meetings have you attended?
- How well do you Network?
- Have you properly polished your story and shared it?
- Is there something missing? Relationships or trust?
- We can help, contact us today…
