Whenever two or more business people are in the same space, they typically network. No surprise there. Here are some Networking Best Practices that will differentiate the networking pros from the networking amateurs.
Networking
Work the Room Like a Pro
So you’ve decided to attend a professional group event to do some networking. Good for you … but you’ll need to work the room like a pro – with focus, finesse and flexibility. Here are 10 simple Best Practices to increase your skills and confidence … and results.
Networking with a Comfortable Handshake
You can begin making the very best first impression you can on the strangers you meet with a winning smile and good eye contact. Then, continue that positive image with a comfortable handshake.
Business Card Finesse
One of your most effective networking tools is your simple, low-tech business card. Since you only get a few moments to make the best possible positive first impression on a stranger, what you do – and don’t do – with your business card can make a significant difference. Consider these simple Finesse Strategies.
Voice Mail Makeover
Can you remember the days before voicemail? I can. Voicemail has proven to be a tremendous advantage … or disadvantage … for your business, based on the impression your customers get. The devil is in the details. Here are a few best practices learned from years helping business people communicate with more power and success on the phone:
Elevate Your Elevator Speech
Elevator Speeches … 30 Second Commercials … Shameless Self-Promotions; they’re our typical response to the often asked ‘What do you do?’ We all do them at TECA meetings and other professional group or networking events. But, most of us don’t do them with enough focus and finesse, so here are some simple and easy strategies to elevate your Elevator Speech (ES).
Networking Pros are Permission Marketers
Ever meet someone at a networking event who turned you off quickly with a negative first impression? Or, who really annoyed you with ineffective follow up? I have – lots of times. I call them ‘Networking Slugs’. They earn that designation for different reasons, but mostly because they don’t practice the simple art of Permission Marketing. Here’s what Networking Pros do to avoid that title.