Networking

If you attend networking clubs, service clubs or Chamber of Commerce Meetings to meet people, promote your company and also help the local community while joining with other businesses in a common cause, well I salute you for your efforts. It is great to see like-minded business folks out doing the right thing. For those of you who do not do such things to help their business, perhaps you sell to people who are all outside your area where you live and instead you network online.

If you are considering doing a little networking and have not yet done so, well good for you and I have a bit of advice and that is; it is somewhat unwise to go to such meetings and start selling to everyone you meet. Working a room is fun and it is great to see if you can at least meet each person at the meeting, if there is time. But more importantly you need to learn and most of all listen to them and...

If you are like most business professionals you have attended a networking meeting where you are asked to describe your business, how it works and what you can do for a potential client in 60 seconds or less. As I attend these meetings, I see many competent professionals stumble because they try to say too much. Wrapped up in describing what they do, they lose sight of the real goal – leaving a memorable impression! So ask yourself, what can you say in 60 seconds to get noticed and be remembered?

• Their pain is your gain! Metaphorically speaking, pain is the ideal way to connect to a potential client. I am not recommending that you kick someone in the kneecaps; it might get their attention, but not their business. The pain on which you should focus is the pain your product or service resolves. Use your 60 seconds wisely, filling the time with memorable and emotional...

If you are a small business and your area has been devastated by a large category hurricane like any of those that happened during the 2005 Atlantic tropical hurricane season then you know that you must rebuild your business. This means you need to get out get business, as many of your customers who were providing cash flow for you and your family are no longer customers and may never return to the area.

If you are in a small business you're part of the community and you must help rebuild the community, as that is your responsibility. Sure you can get out of town and even take your business and knowledge and experience and move somewhere else to start again. But this will not satisfy you nor is the right thing to do. And you probably know that.

Now then, let me tell you that the community that works together stays together and those businesses, which support the commun...

Memorial Day has just passed marking the beginning of summer. Summer is the season of graduations, weddings, barbeques, vacations and networking!

Have you ever considered that these summer events put you in front of a whole new group of contacts or people you haven’t seen in awhile? Are you prepared to leverage this networking opportunity for what you can give and receive? A simple networking strategy can make this a profitable and social season.

Know What You’re Going to Say

Isn’t it true that when attending any event, one of two questions will be asked? If you know the person, they will ask “By the way, what are you up to these days?” If you’re meeting a person for the first time, they will inevitably ask you, “So, what do you do?”

Experienced networkers know that this is the perfect opportunity for a marketing sound bite aka elevator p...

Judging by the popularity of instant message programs, chat rooms, and discussion forums, it would seem logical to conclude that people enjoy interacting with one another in an almost anonymous, virtual environment. Although people enjoy the anonymity they still crave attention and relationships with other people. Sometimes, the internet is so impersonal, and cold that getting a nice email from an actual person that doesn't want your money is almost exciting.

People especially enjoy interacting with those of similar interests. Why not use this to the advantage of your business? Internet marketers don't usually have anybody in their lives that shares the same passion. And, as a whole, Internet marketers are very passionate about what they do and love discussing it with others who share that same passion. By creating friendships with other online marketers in your n...

Training seminars are a savvy marketing strategy. As a Solutions Provider they warrant serious consideration. Hosting a successful training seminar, however, requires a lot of work and planning. Last time we talked about some ideas for getting the most out of your training seminars. Here we present some more tips and tricks and some ideas on how to decide who to invite and how to invite them.

Make the content of the training seminar fun and entertaining. Try to get the audience involved. Ask questions, have people show their hands, have them volunteer information. Use as many participative learning techniques as possible.

Provide a handout at the training seminar with your company information all over it. Put some blanks the paper and have them fill in information as part of the participatory learning. This makes the attendees feel like they own the paper and are mo...

Too many small businesses don't have an integrated marketing strategy and plan. Instead, the marketing tends to be very reactive to whatever is happening to the business currently.

You want to build the business through word-of-mouth, but you don't have any system for generating referrals or word-of-mouth business. For most it gets even worse than this because you're passively waiting for clients to introduce you to prospective new clients.

It's a long slow process to build your business through referrals this way. Even if you have a systematic approach your success will likely only produce a trickle or small stream of new business.

Create Referral Alliance Partnerships

If you really want to create a flood of referrals, then consider establishing referral alliance partnerships. Identifying the right referral alliance partnersh...

If you enjoy going to networking business social gatherings or Chamber of Commerce Mixers as a way to develop a referral network and have some fun and do a little business then you need to stop trying to sell so hard to other salesmen and start talking about how you two can work together in a common cause, sharing information, customer databases and business card stacks. Why?

Well, because one salesmen at a business meeting is not going to make your year most likely for your sales goals, but one sales person who is on the ball may know 50 people who could in fact give you a good running start at achieving your sales objectives. So, stop trying to sell to other salespeople at networking gatherings and start discussing how you might work together to achieve both your objectives.

Ask the other party to tell you the advantages of all of their products or services and what type...

As a business owner, you know you should be attending networking events. But, it is hard - not everyone can walk into a room full of strangers and jump right into business discussions. You will need to prepare, practice and implement the following suggestions to make the most of these business networking meetings.

Before the event, ask what the dress code is. Depending on the type of event, dress could be formal, or informal. You will feel much more relaxed if you are dressed as everyone else is. Make a list of what your goals are for this event. Do you want to make sure you meet specific people? Are you wanting to work on existing relationships? Do you want to meet new potential customers? Do you want to meet potential business partners? Focusing on a particular purpose will make it easier for you to manage your time at the event.

Make sure you have a small note...

I've only been in Ohio 8 months. Making new friends in a new town where you know no one is not easy; however, surrounding yourself with the right people is critical to your ability to overcome adversity. Oprah says it best:

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down" - Oprah Winfrey

Last night I had a small party for friends from my church. I was fortunate to have a group of people who enjoyed themselves to the fullest without any air or pretense or expectation. Laughter came easily. We all felt comfortable in each other's presence. It was a wonderful feeling.

Are you feeling alone? Join a church. Become a member of Toastmasters if you want to be a better public speaker. What about local civic groups including but not limited to Kiwanis, Lion's or Rotary clubs? They provide ...

Networking is more than just putting your business name out there for people to find you, but it is also a part of getting to know people, who are going to spread the word about what you do, what you sell, and that are going to support you in all that you do. Networking is going to involve getting to know as many people in life as you can, and putting your business in front of those people, so they will represent your name, your business, and will tell others about what you have to offer.

If your business requires that you travel often, or perhaps you travel often to find supplies, visit relatives or just because you like it. You should make it a point to get to know those who you are sitting beside, those who are surrounding you on the plane, even those who are sitting on the bench while waiting in the airport. Make it a point to meet and greet at least one new person a day.