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by Stephanie Speisman
1.Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.
2.Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.
3.Visit as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit two times before joining.
4.Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.
5.Ask open-ended questions in networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them.
6.Become known as a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.
7.Have a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom, and what makes your doing it special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others.
8.Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, "How may I help you?" and no immediate answer comes to mind.
9.Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow.
10.Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together and share ideas.
Stephanie Speisman is a Success Coach who coaches groups and individuals in business networking skills based on her booklet "99 Tips for Successful Business Networking." Contact info: (301)469-8015, successcoach@erols.com, www.strategiesforchange.com.
From Bob Burg
Excerpted from, Endless Referrals: Network Your Everyday Contacts into Sales 3rd Edition
As you’ve seen in the two previous chapters, at this point in the process, you are giving a lot, giving continuously, and it might seem as though you are the only one doing any giving. Actually, it should seem that way—because it’s probably true! Not to worry: All this giving is setting you up for an avalanche of referrals on a consistent, ongoing basis that will eventually lead to more referrals and more business than you can imagine!
This really is all about giving (about being a go-giver as opposed to a go-getter) and about how giving will come back to you many times over. And there’s nothing “la-la” about this: It’s based on universal laws and principles that have stood the test of time.
Most people are familiar with the saying, “Give and you shall receive.” Many have seen this principle operating in their lives.
This is were the networking tips go!
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