This is even more important when you have friends that own businesses. If you are always out there as a potential client or customer for someone, you have to be able to clearly state if you are interested or not interested in that business at this time. If you may be interested in the future, tell them. Be honest – because you don’t want that person to follow up with you and not know what to do.

If you are going to be interested next year, or when your business is doing better, or never – tell them. If you say you aren’t going to become a customer and they never talk to you again…they weren’t really a friend in the first place, were they?

You don’t want people being nice to you because you might give them money. Friendships are real, and they are different from business acquaintances, and you have to keep them apart in your mind. For your own well being.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Good Fences Make Good Networkers

Either way, if you’re around other kids…you’re around other parents. That means you can network. The best part is on Halloween you don’t have to worry about small talk. Halloween costumes make for phenominal small talk. You can start by complimenting their kids’ costumes. Compliments go a long way to break the ice and this is an easy time to make that happen.

Take your kids, take a pillowcase for collected candy, but don’t forget to put business cards on your Halloween list of things to take out of the house!

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Post from: EveryJoe

Trick or Treat – Halloween Networking?

How can you benefit?

Make a new plan for networking. Write down all the events that are going on during the month (start with your local Chamber of Commerce website) and then pick at least one event a week to attend.

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Post from: EveryJoe

New Season – New Plan

It could be a simple BBQ in the backyard or you could ask one (or a few) of your networking buddies that do direct sales (like Partylite, etc.) to come by and you could have “Networking by Candlelight” – supporting a local business while having great ambience for a party.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Networking by Candlelight

But is a t-shirt a good way to help your networking efforts?

It depends.

If you have a fun t-shirt that says something fun and interesting, yes. If you just have a t-shirt with a business name and list of services…not so much.

Testimonials could be fun, but anything beyond your logo and company name will not be as professional, so make sure it’s worth the trade off.

Post from: EveryJoe

Customized T-Shirts for Networking?

In case you missed it, that key piece of advice was to call speakers in advance and schedule a lunch. It’s a bold move but not a bad one. If you are remotely comfortable with the phone, pick it up and get to know someone.

On the other hand, she says to bring only five business cards. Uh…yeah…don’t do that.

Post from: EveryJoe

Video Networking Tips: Good and Not so Good

If you’ve tried calling someone a few times and aren’t getting a response, wait a week and follow up via e-mail or a short, personalized note or postcard.

Don’t keep trying the same thing when it isn’t working.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mix Up Your Contact Points

Unfortunately there are limits to any relationship and you don’t want to be in a position where you are testing the limits of your friendship with someone else.

Keep the lines of communication open and ask your friend how they feel about what you are asking. Even by asking you are reducing the risk for misunderstanding, because it shows you care.

Post from: EveryJoe

Use your Friends Wisely

Merrill Lynch was purchased by Bank of America, because they were open and BoA knew what they were buying.

WaMU was purchased by JP Morgan Chase for the same reason.

No one will buy Lehman because they are standing with arms crossed and mouth closed, not sharing what percentage of loans they have are good and bad.

Bad communication makes for bad networking makes for no one wanting to help you out when you really need it.

Post from: EveryJoe

Economy Redux

But pretending to be doing better than you really are, or worse than you really are, in order to sympathize or “fit in” with the rest of the group isn’t going to get you anywhere.

There are ways to say you’re looking for clients, and there are ways to say you are doing great without getting on anyone’s bad side.

Just keep the conversation you’re having on track and don’t derail by overreacting.

Post from: EveryJoe

Be Open and Honest