How to Build Your Business by Attending Networking Events
Attending professional networking events can result in great referrals for your business. Networking in person can create strong, professional relationships that can propel your business - often faster than online networking. Here are some tips to make personal networking work for you.
Deer Park, NY, May 08, 2015 --(PR.com)-- The secret to building better contacts in less time is networking in person.
Referrals and word of mouth advertising are still the best ways to get new business. Networking in person can help boost the number of referrals you receive, since people who know you are more likely to recommend you. It pays to meet as many people as possible, since the bigger your professional network is, the more trusted referrals you’ll get.
If you’re like many people, you probably find attending networking events awkward. Often people are uncomfortable striking up conversations with perfect strangers. OneRecourse.com, located in New York, is a professional networking company which represents businesses, inventors, and individuals. They’ve offered some helpful tips to help you network more comfortably.
8 ways to make networking events work for you:
1. Just showing up sets you apart
When it comes to networking, just showing up sets you apart from your competition. If your competitors are notoriously absent from events, you already have an advantage.
2. What about my sales pitch?
Don’t worry about how to work your business into the conversation. Use networking events to meet new people. You can bring up what you do in the comfortable course of a normal conversation. Remember, it’s not a sales call.
2. Focus on the person.
When meeting someone for the first time, focus on the person, not what you can sell to them. Unless the person you meet asks for the product you're selling, you will be most memorable by being YOU. The elevator speech can come a bit later.
3. Are you shy? Perfect!
If you’re not a gregarious, communication whiz, use networking events as an opportunity to ask people about what They do. Ask questions, and sit back and listen. You learn, they talk, it's all good.
4. Set a goal of meeting two new people for each event.
Plan to meet a minimum of two people, and think of business cards as your trophy. If all you do is meet two new people each month, you’ll still add a large number of people to your network reach each year.
5. Tongue-tied?
If you freeze when striking up cold conversations with someone you don’t know, memorize questions ahead of time. This also helps you avoid asking questions that get one-liner answers. For example, ask someone what their business is, let them answer (for example, "we develop web sites") then ask, "That’s interesting. What do you like most about it?" Another great question is, "What got you started in that business?" or "What are your biggest challenges right now?" These questions help you create a genuine dialog, and get to know the person.
6. Learn how to work a room.
Great networkers don't dive right into networking, nor do they bury themselves in the buffet. Instead, they take time to look at people. When you enter a room for your next event, comfortably grab a drink, and casually look around the room. Mentally note who's eyes meet yours, and eventually work your way to those people first.
7. Look the part.
If you're a billionaire, wear whatever you want, but the rest of us should show up in nice, average, business casual attire. People will automatically assume you're more of 'their kind of person' if you appear to be part of the group.
8. Post your networking events on social media
Supplement your online networking with attending local networking events. This allows you to link with other contacts you’ve made, as well as linking with the events. Create posts to your blog and social media outlets before the event (being sure to mention where you’ll be), as well as photos and posts during and after the event. Aside from providing good online material, you’ll find networking in person can expand your social reach much faster, and in more meaningful ways.
Make this the year you’ll start meeting better quality, in-person contacts by attending networking events in your area. You’ll find that meeting in person creates better quality contacts, and can often forge the start of a good, business relationship in one conversation.
Supplement your podcast with great networking tips from from professional networkers at OneRecourse.com. We help inspire and coach business owners, inventors and professionals how to turn new contacts into strategic business relationships.
Contact them at networker@onerecourse.com or call 201-771-7660 for a free guest (audio) appearance for your podcast, or include the information below with a mention of our website, onerecourse.com.
Referrals and word of mouth advertising are still the best ways to get new business. Networking in person can help boost the number of referrals you receive, since people who know you are more likely to recommend you. It pays to meet as many people as possible, since the bigger your professional network is, the more trusted referrals you’ll get.
If you’re like many people, you probably find attending networking events awkward. Often people are uncomfortable striking up conversations with perfect strangers. OneRecourse.com, located in New York, is a professional networking company which represents businesses, inventors, and individuals. They’ve offered some helpful tips to help you network more comfortably.
8 ways to make networking events work for you:
1. Just showing up sets you apart
When it comes to networking, just showing up sets you apart from your competition. If your competitors are notoriously absent from events, you already have an advantage.
2. What about my sales pitch?
Don’t worry about how to work your business into the conversation. Use networking events to meet new people. You can bring up what you do in the comfortable course of a normal conversation. Remember, it’s not a sales call.
2. Focus on the person.
When meeting someone for the first time, focus on the person, not what you can sell to them. Unless the person you meet asks for the product you're selling, you will be most memorable by being YOU. The elevator speech can come a bit later.
3. Are you shy? Perfect!
If you’re not a gregarious, communication whiz, use networking events as an opportunity to ask people about what They do. Ask questions, and sit back and listen. You learn, they talk, it's all good.
4. Set a goal of meeting two new people for each event.
Plan to meet a minimum of two people, and think of business cards as your trophy. If all you do is meet two new people each month, you’ll still add a large number of people to your network reach each year.
5. Tongue-tied?
If you freeze when striking up cold conversations with someone you don’t know, memorize questions ahead of time. This also helps you avoid asking questions that get one-liner answers. For example, ask someone what their business is, let them answer (for example, "we develop web sites") then ask, "That’s interesting. What do you like most about it?" Another great question is, "What got you started in that business?" or "What are your biggest challenges right now?" These questions help you create a genuine dialog, and get to know the person.
6. Learn how to work a room.
Great networkers don't dive right into networking, nor do they bury themselves in the buffet. Instead, they take time to look at people. When you enter a room for your next event, comfortably grab a drink, and casually look around the room. Mentally note who's eyes meet yours, and eventually work your way to those people first.
7. Look the part.
If you're a billionaire, wear whatever you want, but the rest of us should show up in nice, average, business casual attire. People will automatically assume you're more of 'their kind of person' if you appear to be part of the group.
8. Post your networking events on social media
Supplement your online networking with attending local networking events. This allows you to link with other contacts you’ve made, as well as linking with the events. Create posts to your blog and social media outlets before the event (being sure to mention where you’ll be), as well as photos and posts during and after the event. Aside from providing good online material, you’ll find networking in person can expand your social reach much faster, and in more meaningful ways.
Make this the year you’ll start meeting better quality, in-person contacts by attending networking events in your area. You’ll find that meeting in person creates better quality contacts, and can often forge the start of a good, business relationship in one conversation.
Supplement your podcast with great networking tips from from professional networkers at OneRecourse.com. We help inspire and coach business owners, inventors and professionals how to turn new contacts into strategic business relationships.
Contact them at networker@onerecourse.com or call 201-771-7660 for a free guest (audio) appearance for your podcast, or include the information below with a mention of our website, onerecourse.com.
Contact
One Recourse
Dennis Buchanan
631 882 9216
www.onerecourse.com
Dennis Buchanan
631 882 9216
www.onerecourse.com
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