Making everything about what others can do for you or give to you is the quickest way to see your network dry up. Wondering why the phone isn’t ringing and no referrals are coming your way?  It is probably time to re-evaluate your networking habits.  Do you attend events just to get leads? Do you talk more than you listen? When business is doing well, do you stop attending networking events? Change your habits and your results will change.

Answer the following questions and keep the answers in mind the next time you attend a networking event or are in a situation where networking will occur:

• Am I listening to what others are asking for?
• Can I fill any of the needs shared in the room tonight?
• Who do I know that I can connect this person with?
• This person and I do not have similar businesses, but our personalities click/this person seems like someone I would refer given the opportunity.  Is it worthwhile to suggest we meet for coffee or lunch to discuss how we can support each other?
• How can this person and I cross promote each other or develop a joint venture?
• Is the group lacking in knowledge about [insert your area of expertise]? Is what I know HONESTLY of value to this community? If so, how can I arrange to speak at an upcoming meeting or develop my own small event that members of this community are invited to?

Take time to think about the skills you have and how they might be applicable to various communities you belong to. Can you provide marketing advice? Are you good with coordinating events? Can you create fantastic soundbites in seconds? Do you have an amazing network of people who you can connect others with? Did you come upon a great resource or product that the community could benefit from?  Take an inventory of what you have to offer and put it to good use!

When you think of others or help someone get what they need, they will remember you. The referrals might not come overnight, but if you are consistent, helpful, and a good listener, you never know when the phone will ring. I’ve received calls and emails six months after meeting someone ONCE. Six months later, they still remember me and they’ve either referred me to someone or want to hire me themselves. What they remember was a helpful personality, nice attitude, a willingness to help. Boring pitches don’t win people over. Authenticity does.

Post from: EveryJoe

What do you bring to the table?

Set Goals

Setting goals is incredibly important for any aspect of your life that you want to be successful in. Networking is no exception.  What are your networking goals? Join a professional network or trade group? Build a social networking presence online? Add 10 key players to your inner circle? Great!  Write down the goals and the steps you will have to complete to get you there. If you do not belong to any professional networking groups, your first step will be to brainstorm what kind of groups you want to belong to and which groups are available in your area.

Choose the right networks for you

There’s nothing wrong with being on different websites or attending meetings across several groups. But if half the things you are doing aren’t either a) bringing you clients b) bringing you strategic partners, joint venture opportunities, etc or c) bring educational value that will help you as a professional, you might need to cut the fat. Your time is precious. With so many options available, it is imperative that you choose wisely. Stick to the networks that give you a positive return – and determine what a positive return is to you. If you are just starting to join networks, choose the ones that you believe will bring you the best connections, the most education, and quality referrals. One solid client that is a pleasure to work with is better than 5 difficult clients who just flat out aren’t worth the trouble.

Follow through

If you RSVP for an event, inform the host if you can no longer make it. If you show up at an event and meet people, do not promise to call them Tuesday if it is not a promise you can not keep. It it perfectly appropriate to say “I have a packed week ahead, but let’s talk the week of the 15th and schedule a time to get together for lunch.” If you mention that you have a great contact for them, absolutely follow through with that information. You would want them to come through for you, wouldn’t you?

Sticking to these three points will be incredibly important as you continue on your networking journey. What other advice have you heard that has helped you gain networking success?

Post from: EveryJoe

Success Through Networking in 2009

I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Alaia Williams and I am your new Networking Maven here at Everyday Networker. I am a Professional Organizer based in Los Angeles, CA (though I work with clients nationwide) and I am the Founder and Organizer of the Los Angeles Small Business Owners Group. I’m excited to be here and can’t wait to share everything I can about networking with you.

I believe that networking is essential to growing your business. Whether you are a manager, business owner, or freelancer, having solid business connections can really be the thing that keeps you afloat in a sink or swim situation.  Networking opportunities are all over the place. The options are seemingly endless when you think about all the offline AND online networks out there. A person could easily spend all day networking. But for most of us, the purpose of networking is to grow our business – and we have to do more than just network (even though networking is HUGE). Time is a precious commodity.  How do you choose the right networking opportunities?  Great question!  My hope is that through this blog, I can not only help you improve your networking skills, but I can also help you determine where your time is best spent.

If you have any questions about networking that you’d like to see me answer in the blog, feel free to contact me any time.

Alaia

www.OneOrganizedLife.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Introducing Myself