10 Golden Rules of Business Networking
10 GOLDEN RULES OF NETWORKING
1. Listen to Others and Remember Their Names
Listening to others is one of the most important skills you can foster. Developing this skill will enable you to get the best from your relationships whether they're for business or pleasure.
Try not to talk over others. Ask questions about what people are saying to demonstrate how interested you are in what they are talking about. At first it'll require all your time and attention to do this but as you develop the skill, you as a person will grow and benefit.
Find something that's important to or of interest to the person you're talking to (whether it is business or pleasure) and remember it. Sometimes people are nervous and don't listen because they are too busy focusing on what they want to say next in a conversation. Write down at least one key area of importance, so the next time you speak to this person or follow up you can ask them about their interests.
2. Be Able to Explain What You do in 12-15 Words
Be able to explain what you do in maximum 2 sentences. Be clear about what you do. Talk about the key benefits of your business to others. Be enthusiastic and positive about what you do. Don’t give away too much information when you first speak to people. State clearly what your USP is and what makes you different.
Be concise and clear about how and why you are different. Be very specific too about who you want to be connected to or put in touch with. That way people know what you want and you're more likely to achieve your objectives.
Be able to explain what you do in maximum 2 sentences. Be clear about what you do. Talk about the key benefits of your business to others. Be enthusiastic and positive about what you do. Don’t give away too much information when you first speak to people. State clearly what your USP is and what makes you different.
Be concise and clear about how and why you are different. Be very specific too about who you want to be connected to or put in touch with. That way people know what you want and you're more likely to achieve your objectives.
3. Always Follow Up
Many people put themselves out there, get the contacts, exchange business cards and introductions but fail to follow up (or when they do follow up they are blatantly trying to sell). Top referral achievers know just how to follow up, they follow up on all contacts and keep in regular contact.
The people you meet at business networking forums are there as equals, they don't want to be overtly sold to and they definitely don't want to feel they're being treated as prospects. They may become customers or clients in time and that's fine, but your initial objective is to find out about them and build rapport with the view to becoming an advocate of their business.
4. Be Positive
Don’t slag people/businesses off to make you and your business look good to others. Don’t be a negative person, no matter how bad a day you're having. People, especially those in business, don't have time and don't want to speak to people who are negative. Find the positive angle to everything - others will appreciate this. You and those around you will benefit from your positive approach.
Don’t slag people/businesses off to make you and your business look good to others. Don’t be a negative person, no matter how bad a day you're having. People, especially those in business, don't have time and don't want to speak to people who are negative. Find the positive angle to everything - others will appreciate this. You and those around you will benefit from your positive approach.
5. Don't Prejudge
Be open minded and don’t judge people before you get a chance to get to know them. Don't make your mind up about someone before you've had the opportunity to speak to them. Don't listen to other people - make up your own mind. You never know who they know or who they can connect you and your business to.
Be open minded and don’t judge people before you get a chance to get to know them. Don't make your mind up about someone before you've had the opportunity to speak to them. Don't listen to other people - make up your own mind. You never know who they know or who they can connect you and your business to.
6. Aim High to be Remembered
Ask to be connected to someone very high up in blue chip organisation e.g. Richard Branson, from Virgin. Sounds crazy, but you never know who can connect you, even to his assistant or an equivalent in another organisation. You'll also be remembered for asking for this seemingly unattainable request. A good way to stand out from the rest! 7. Develop Your Own Style
Avoid just copying others. Be yourself and find out what works for you. Let your own personality work the room and not someone else’s. It's tiring enough trying to learn about others and develop business relationships, without changing your personality. In any case - what works for others will not necessarily work for you. We all admire honesty, so be transparent. You'll get far more respect.
8. Dress For Success
Don’t be afraid to make a statement and show your personality. If you want to wear a suit wear it. Wear jeans, bright shoes anything goes. If you feel good you'll be relaxed and comfortable.
Don’t be afraid to make a statement and show your personality. If you want to wear a suit wear it. Wear jeans, bright shoes anything goes. If you feel good you'll be relaxed and comfortable.
9. Don’t Try to Sell your Product
Your goal is to meet people. You don't have time to do a good sales presentation. The business community will soon avoid you if all you're doing is selling you and your business. Networking is all about helping others. What you get out is what you put in.
Your goal is to meet people. You don't have time to do a good sales presentation. The business community will soon avoid you if all you're doing is selling you and your business. Networking is all about helping others. What you get out is what you put in.
10. Don’t treat everyone as a prospect
Networking is more than just prospecting. It's all about building relationships and helping one another. People buy people. Don’t expect to get ongoing leads if you don’t give anything back. You reap what you sow!
Networking is more than just prospecting. It's all about building relationships and helping one another. People buy people. Don’t expect to get ongoing leads if you don’t give anything back. You reap what you sow!
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