For many entrepreneurs networking is a must to build your
contact list the fastest way possible. After all,
networking is one of the least expensive, most effective
forms of marketing that you can do!
Besides if you have no customers yet and nothing to do -
you have to do something! Networking is also the best way
to build relationships; no other form of marketing or
advertising can do this for you. People buy from people
they like and connect with.
I've been self employed for five years and I'm still
networking; I'm just more selective now on where and who I
network with. When I first started out I joined four local
chambers, a women's organization and a leads group and I
was at every event all the time.
As my business started picking up, I reduced the number of
groups I was involved in and remained in only those that
were the best fit for me and that brought me the most
clients. I was extremely active in those that I stayed in
so that I would be well known; basically I became the
Go-to-Gal for my industry and associations.
This is what you want. You want for others to see you as
the expert in your field. The key is though to be
selfless, generous and knowledgeable in the process.
These days I'm networking even online through various
social networking sites like MySpace, business networking
sites like LinkedIn and FastPitch and other membership
sites that I belong to too but this all takes time and
finesse as well.
Rarely do I see very many really good networkers though so
I urge you to learn more, practice your skills, focus on
giving to others and really work at becoming the best
networker you can because it will pay off with more
customers and bigger profits.
Here are a few habits that a good networker typically
exudes; they will:
* Go with a goal
* Be prepared, mentally and with materials
* Arrive early and stay late
* Work the room
* Master their 'commercials' and alter them as needed
* Introduce others around
* Pass people off nicely and move on
* Ask questions of the other person
* Know to listen more than they talk
* Take notes on cards
* Quickly and repeatedly follow up
So, how to you match up? What are you doing?
One thing I want to remind you of is that no matter which
ones you are doing if you are NOT doing the very last one
listed - the FOLLOW UP - then I can tell you right now that
you are absolutely wasting your time (and money) doing the
networking in the first place!!
I can't stress to you enough that if you find yourself not
being able to get your follow up done - then figure out
someone to delegate this to. It's worth whatever it costs
to pay someone to do this for you because it could mean the
difference between one sale and fourteen sales!
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© Copyright 2008 K.Sawa Marketing
Katrina Sawa is an Award-Winning Relationship Marketing
Coach who's helped hundreds of small business owners take
dramatic steps in their businesses to get them to the next
level in business, revenues and life. She offers one-on-one
coaching, group coaching and do-it-yourself marketing
planning products. Go online now to get started with her
Free Report and Free Audio at
http://www.GetFreeMarketingTips.com !
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