http://kerrysmallbusiness.com/2010/04/seven-tips-for-business-networking/
Seven Tips For Business Networking by Anne Kiely
Be prepared. Networking is not just about business cards and flyers. Practise a 60-second summary of your business and its benefits for potential clients. Take a notebook and pen to record the names and contact details of people you would like to follow up. At some networking meetings, you might have the opportunity to do a ten-minute presentation about your business. Take advantage of that and plan it well so that your audience will have a good idea of what you could do for them and their contacts.
Give to receive. The law of reciprocity is what works! Successful networkers don’t just hand out business cards: they ask “How can I help you?”. What goes around, comes around and if others have the same attitude, you will gain new contacts and new business.
Dress up rather than down. It’s a cliché but you only have one chance to give a first impression. Don’t risk a bad one: some people will be turned off by your holey jeans or hoodie!
Listen. Make it a priority to really listen to each person you meet (and hopefully they will listen too). If you rush into telling someone all about yourself and monopolise a conversation, you may miss a golden opportunity.
Be a welcomer. Take on the role of welcoming newcomers to a meeting rather than gravitating towards people you already know. We can all remember how difficult our first meeting was, so help to make it easier for someone else.
Never close your mind. Everyone in the room will have their own contacts and they are likely to include potential clients for yourself. I never ceased to be amazed by the interconnections in Kerry!
Follow up. A file full of business cards is of little use unless you make and maintain contact with at least some of those business people. Set a target of meeting up with at least one of your new contacts each week or fortnight and give yourself the opportunity to find out more and explore any possibilities. Your 60-second introduction was just a taster, so find out how you can help another networker and how they can help you. Joint ventures and mutual support will develop in many cases.
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