My Top 22 Networking Tips

Arguably attending and effectively participating in relevant Networking Events is the most cost effective form of marketing that any business owner or professional person can do.

To help you be more productive in you networking efforts I list below my Top 22 Tips.

I hope they will help you to secure and build more relationships that eventually will turn into generating more relevant contacts, prospects and clients:

              "NOBODY KNOWS CARES HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE" 

                                             

1.  Remember you are an accomplished individual that can bring great benefits to people their company’s.

2. You are Unique.

3. Always be yourself; never try to model yourself on someone else.

4. Don’t be a wall flower, circulate and join up with the people that seem to be showing most energy and appear enthusiastic.

5. Wear your own branded name badge with pride. Let people know who you are what you know.

6. Say hello, my name is Bill Brown, may I join you?

7. Always shake people’s hands firmly- no wet handshakes.

8. Look people in the eye, don't look beyond them or look around when you or they are talking.

9. Know how to introduce yourself/what you do effectively and concisely.

10. Build rapport and relationships with the people that you meet when networking, ask them lots of questions instead of talking about yourself.

11. Remember the 80-20 Rule, where you talk 20% of the time by asking open or closed questions.

12. Listen intently; remember key bits of information received.
    
    
13.  Give out your business card and ask for those of others when relevant.

14.  Make notes of anything of real interest.

15. If appropriate get them to agree to some future action e.g. you ring them or some other form of call to action.

16. Don't try to ‘sell’ anything, just quietly steer and build your conversation towards the making of a new friend.

17. Arrive early and be prepared to stay as long as you feel your time is being spent usefully. Meet every one you judge to be important to you.

18.  When asked about yourself be modest and brief in your reply, but try to get your most compelling statements across to people.

19. Don't presume everyone wants to meet you or get to know you. If you recognise there is little or no synergy then politely move on.

20. Talk about who they know that might be relevant and offer to give a referral yourself. 

21. Follow up by sending them a note, flyer or letter about how you would like to work with them and how you can help each other.  Follow up on every lead no matter what within 48 hours by phone, fax or email, whichever is best.

22. As time unfolds try to help everyone you have met and formed a relation with by referring people to them, they will remember you and do the same for you.

If you need some further assistance you know a man who can.