When you go to a networking
event it is important to attract people to you, some do it naturally but most
of us have to work at it!
How to be visible:
What attracts you to people attracts people to you!
How to be visible:
What attracts you to people attracts people to you!
• Quiet or outgoing - The way you behave will attract similar people to you.
• Charisma - A thing we may worry about but really it is best to be yourself and remember, some will, some won't…
• Where you stand - Is really important, try to position yourself towards a corner where you can see people entering the room and never stand in the middle!
• How you enter a room - Is just as important , as people will be watching you too! You know where you're going, towards a corner where you can see the door, so walk purposefully there! (Of course if you know someone at least acknowledge them!)
• The quality of your conversation - This will get people to remember you, be glad to see you and get you invited to other events, so work on it!
Then, when you have met someone or made a good contact, keep in touch!
Keeping in contact:
Depending on contact/occasion:
Mail: Drop a mail to thank host; "good to meet you" or meet as agreed
Phone: Host; contacts as above
Send them invitations to your events.
Send them email / newsletter to share news or success stories, especially anything of relevance to them.
Finally always remember that it is better to give and you will receive!
Giving and receiving:
Don't try to sell! Listen, ask, remember non verbal shows of interest and you will be asked, "And what do you do?"
Build trust: people buy from people! Remember, what attracts/ detracts you from people? Effective networking is about building relationships: with others who can refer you once they've come to trust you and have confidence in you.
This truly is the key to networking success, and this process takes time. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It's a way to build your business through referrals.
Someone giving a third party testimonial: helps more than anything, and that's the power of the third-party testimonial. It happens not because they trust you, but they trust the person who is referring you!
If you want to get better at giving referrals, there's a simple question to ask people:
"How will I know when I meet a really good prospect for you?"
You will find they describe for you their ideal client and…it maybe you!
I hope this helps and next time I will talk about developing a network that works for you!
Malcolm
