The Process

 

If you’re like most business owners, you KNOW you have to network.

How else are you supposed to meet potential clients and show them
how great your products and services are!

You attend anywhere from 3-7 networking events every single week.
Some are near your house, others you probably spend anywhere
from 15-45 minutes driving one way to the event.
You sign up and pay money for a bunch of different Chambers of Commerce,
spend money on other networking organizations (like LeTip or BNI), and maybe have even tried doing “speed networking”, where you literally have 2 minutes to make sure you say everything you can possibly say within 2 minutes about you and your company.
Or what about going to Meetup.com and trying to find other business owners in your niche that you want to network with so you can increase the odds of you making a sale and getting a brand new client.

 

That Uncomfortable Feeling

 

And what about that uncomfortable feeling you get when you arrive at the breakfast, lunch, or happy hour.
You’re thinking to yourself, “Alright Bob, get it together.
You know you really don’t want to be here, but you were told that in order to grow your business, you MUST get out there and pound the pavement, meet new people, and go to as many networking events as possible”.

You’re really not sure what to do at these events.
Do you walk up to people in a group and say hello?  Should I wait for them to walk up to me?
Do I tell them what I do?  Do I ask questions first?  YIKES!!!!

 

 

Here’s the great news about all of this.
Everyone feels the SAME way you do.
Even though some people look like they’ve been doing this a long time, they’re just as nervous as you.  So, just RELAX!  Take a deep breath…and understand that Networking can be fun AND profitable, if done correctly!!

 

Networking Tips

 

Never Have an Agenda

The most valuable networking you’ll ever do, will have no obvious immediate gain.
It’s about being out there and communicating your personal brand, your company, and your vision to as wide an audience as possible.
Over time, these seeds take root and the value can be immense.

 

Figure Out What They Need

A listener will be most engaged when your responses and suggestions are relevant to their specific needs.
Not every communication is an opportunity to blow your own business trumpet.
Sometimes you may find yourself sharing information about another company or service that you have heard of.

 

Be Unique

Remember back in high school, when there was that one guy/girl that always caught your eye.
You couldn’t figure out WHY they were so intriguing, but they were.  They stood out from the crowd, and always left you wanting more.

When your in a networking event, do NOT be BORING!!

What’s boring sound like:

“Hi, what’s your name, and what do you do?”
“My name is Bob.  I’m a financial advisor.”
BORING!!!!

Rather than tell people your title or occupation,
tell them the value, benefits, and solutions you provide people.

New Approach:
“Hi, what’s your name, and what do you do?”
“My name is Bob.  I help individuals accomplish their dreams”
Sexy, intriguing, mysterious….leaving this person wanting more!!

Become a Super Connector

Helping others be successful is a fabulous way (good karma aside)
to establish the basis for future value back to yourself.
Even better?
Connecting connectors: you’ll become super-connector/ networking maven.
Start building and cultivating your network.
People will start trusting you, knowing you’re there to add value

Give Your Ideas Away

Tell everyone what you would do in their situation and give your ideas away.
If someone likes them,  chances are they will hire you to execute them. If they don’t hire you and steal your idea, be flattered not upset.

 

Become a Farmer Rather than Hunter

Go into EVERY networking situation as a farmer would.
Your goal is to plant seeds of “added value, trust, and competency”.
Your goal should not be “hit and run”. 
This is where you attend one event, get 10 business cards, call or email all 10, and if you don’t get a new client,  you say Networking doesn’t work.
Building trust and relationships take time.  

Remember, networking should be (1) form of marketing.
It should NOT be the only way in which you’re attempting to build your business and grow your client base.
If done properly (with the tips above), networking should be fun,  enthusiastic, and profitable!!

 

Next Steps….

 

As someone who shows business owners/entrepreneurs, who are struggling to grow their business, how to increase sales, grow their customer base, and have more fun, I get the opportunity to help people build their dream, follow their passion, and have a successful business.

If you’re a business owner reading this, and you’re interested in learning
how we might work together to help you in your business,
make sure to email me below to set up a date/time for a FREE, no obligation
strategy call.

 

 

 

Your Success Coach,

 

Scott

P.S  Make sure to leave me a comment below.  I want to hear from you

 

 

Twitter:   @scotthansen1210
scott@scotthproductions.com
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1ghQY9r

www.scotthansenconsulting.com

 

 

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