| There are many great books to help you with | | | | talk about your business and give them your |
| business networking. Read as many books as | | | | business card. |
| possible so you can develop your own unique | | | | Be sure you have your "elevator speech" or your |
| technique. Many people shy away from | | | | 30 second speech perfected. You should have a |
| networking because they don't know what to do. | | | | short introduction of yourself that you can say in |
| There are four simple steps that must be | | | | your sleep. Your speech should go something like: |
| followed for effective business networking: | | | | "I'm Cindy Freland and I own Maryland Secretarial |
| 1. Choose Events Wisely: Attend events where | | | | Services. I do your administrative tasks so you |
| there will be business owners or decision-makers | | | | can concentrate on what you do best." |
| to buy your product or service. Don't waste time | | | | 3. Follow-up: When you get back to your office, |
| attending all events as there will be a lot of | | | | send a follow-up email, "snail" mail a handwritten |
| events where people are just not suitable to | | | | note, or call to make an appointment. The |
| purchase from you. | | | | follow-ups should be short notes to remind them |
| 2. Talk to Strangers: Walk up to people that you | | | | of where you met, wish them success in their |
| do not know and introduce yourself. Introduce | | | | business, and remind them of what you do. I like |
| yourself with a firm handshake, look them in the | | | | to also invite them to other networking events so |
| eyes and say your name and company name. | | | | you are offering them value and not just trying |
| After they introduce themselves, ask them | | | | to get them to buy from you. |
| questions about their business. | | | | 4. Face-to-Face Again: If you have made an |
| Some questions are: | | | | appointment, congratulate yourself. You did a |
| 1. How did you get started in that business? | | | | great job in convincing them that you offer value. |
| 2. How long have you been doing that? | | | | At the meeting, remember to talk about them |
| 3. What do you like best about your business? | | | | and ask more in-depth questions about their |
| Make the conversation all about them and not | | | | business. Find out how you can help them by |
| you. People love to talk about themselves. If you | | | | listening to their concerns. After you have listened |
| allow them to talk about themselves, you will be | | | | and you think you know how to help them, then |
| remembered as someone who took the time to | | | | you can talk about the solutions that you offer. |
| get to know them. Networking is not about the | | | | Remember, business networking is an |
| quantity of business cards with which you come | | | | inexpensive, effective way to advertise your |
| home. It's about relationships. Bob Burg said in his | | | | services and products. If done correctly, you will |
| book, entitled, Endless Referrals, "people do | | | | have a steady stream of business throughout the |
| business with people they know, like and trust." | | | | life of your company. |
| Be sure you get their business card and you can | | | | |