One of the simplest tools in your Power Networking Tool Kit is the name tag you wear at networking events. Everyone uses them, but few people do so strategically to add to a positive first impression and enhance your networking process. Really … I’m not making this up.
Networking
Network with a Focused Script
The goal of your first brief networking interaction with a stranger is to begin to answer the question “Is this someone I want to get to know better; someone who can help me … or who I can help?” To do that, you need information.
What Do You Do AFTER Your Elevator Speech?
As Power Networkers, many of us polish our finely crafted Elevator Speeches or 30-second commercials and deliver them with passion and purpose every chance we get. Great. So let’s assume you’ve just done that at a business or professional group networking event … now what do you do?
Follow up Makes the Difference
You’ve just returned from a networking event. You met some people that could potentially help you accomplish your networking objectives and have several business cards. Good for you. Now what do you do?
Shake Well Before Schmoozing!
You can begin making the very best first impression you can on the strangers you meet at a networking event with a winning smile and good eye contact. Then, continue that positive image with a comfortable handshake … and shake well before schmoozing!:
So Many Events … So Little Time
A reader recently asked how to determine which networking events to attend. That can be a real challenge for busy entrepreneurs or sales professionals. You could easily invest a huge amount of time and money attending different networking-oriented breakfast, lunch and dinner/after hours events every workday, not to mention all the weight you’d gain. So, I turned a summary of our conversation into these 10 Best Practices for how to choose which networking events to attend.
Networking for Introverts
I recently got a call from a reader who admitted to being very introverted, but still wanted to improve her networking results. I thought others might benefit from what I shared, so here’s the essence of that conversation.
Your Winning Smile
Grandma was right. You do only get one chance to make a good first impression. When you’re networking, one goal should always be to make the very best first impression you can on the strangers you meet. Often that first impression begins with your smile.
Now that’s Really a Dumb Question
You know that old adage, ‘There’s no such thing as a dumb question’? Sorry to spoil your fantasy, but that’s wrong. There are plenty of dumb questions. Three of my faves are:
1. Excuse me, do you know what time it is? 2. Hey Mister, got any spare change? 3. Honey, do you want to take out the trash?
Don’t be a Card Shark!
Regular readers realize the mission-critical value of effective, efficient and compelling networking. Properly done, it can result in easily learning important information to help you do your jobs better or find better jobs or grow your businesses. It can sometimes even lead to creating new mutually beneficial business relationships.