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10 GOLDEN RULES OF NETWORKING
1. Always listen to other people & remember their names
Always remember - we have “Two ears and one mouth”. Listening to others is one of the most important skills you can foster. Developing this skill will enable you to get the best from your relationships whether they're for business or pleasure. Try not to talk over others. Ask questions about what people are saying to demonstrate how interested you are in what they are talking about. At first it'll require all your time and attention to do this but as you develop the skill, you as a person will grow and benefit.
Find something that's important to or of interest to the person you're talking to (whether it is business or pleasure) and remember it. Sometimes people are nervous and don't listen because they are too busy focusing on what they want to say next in a conversation. Write down at least one key area of importance, so the next time you speak to this person or follow up you can ask them about their interests.
You can be an interesting person or you can be an interested person!
2. Be able explain what you do in 12-15 words
Be able to explain what you do in maximum 2 sentences. Be clear about what you do. Talk about the key benefits of your business to others. Be enthusiastic and positive about what you do. Don’t give away too much information when you first speak to people. State clearly what your USP is and what makes you different.
Try not to say your product or service is unique - everyone says that! Be concise and clear about how and why you are different. Be very specific too about who you want to be connected to or put in touch with. That way people know what you want and you're more likely to achieve your objectives.
Be able to explain what you do in maximum 2 sentences. Be clear about what you do. Talk about the key benefits of your business to others. Be enthusiastic and positive about what you do. Don’t give away too much information when you first speak to people. State clearly what your USP is and what makes you different.
Try not to say your product or service is unique - everyone says that! Be concise and clear about how and why you are different. Be very specific too about who you want to be connected to or put in touch with. That way people know what you want and you're more likely to achieve your objectives.
3. Always follow up
Many people put themselves out there, get the contacts, exchange business cards and introductions but fail to follow up (or when they do follow up they are trying to sell). Top referral achievers know just how to follow up, they follow up on all contacts and keep in regular contact.
The people you meet at business networking forums are there as equals, they do not want to be sold to and they definitely don't want to feel they're being treated as prospects. They may become customers or clients in time and that's fine, but your initial objective is to find out about them and build rapport with the view to becoming an advocate of their business.
Many people put themselves out there, get the contacts, exchange business cards and introductions but fail to follow up (or when they do follow up they are trying to sell). Top referral achievers know just how to follow up, they follow up on all contacts and keep in regular contact.
The people you meet at business networking forums are there as equals, they do not want to be sold to and they definitely don't want to feel they're being treated as prospects. They may become customers or clients in time and that's fine, but your initial objective is to find out about them and build rapport with the view to becoming an advocate of their business.
4. Be positive
Don’t slag people/businesses off to make you and your business look good to others. Don’t be a negative person, no matter how bad a day you're having. People, especially those in business, don't have time and don't want to speak to people who are negative. Make sure the “glass is always half full and NOT half empty”. Find the positive angle to everything - others will appreciate this. You and those around you will benefit from your positive approach.
Don’t slag people/businesses off to make you and your business look good to others. Don’t be a negative person, no matter how bad a day you're having. People, especially those in business, don't have time and don't want to speak to people who are negative. Make sure the “glass is always half full and NOT half empty”. Find the positive angle to everything - others will appreciate this. You and those around you will benefit from your positive approach.
5. Do not prejudge people (6 degrees of separation)
Be open minded and don’t judge people before you get a chance to get to know them. Don't make your mind up about someone before you've had the opportunity to speak to them. Don't listen to other people - make up your own mind. You never know who they know or who they can connect you and your business to.
Be open minded and don’t judge people before you get a chance to get to know them. Don't make your mind up about someone before you've had the opportunity to speak to them. Don't listen to other people - make up your own mind. You never know who they know or who they can connect you and your business to.
6. Aim High & be remembered
Ask to be connected to someone very high up in blue chip organisation e.g. Richard Branson, from Virgin. Sounds crazy, but you never know who can connect you, even to his assistant or an equivalent in another organisation. You'll also be remembered for asking for this seemingly unattainable request. A good way to stand out from the rest! 7. Develop your own style – be transparent
Don’t copy others. Be yourself and find out what works for you. Let your own personality work the room and not someone else’s. It's tiring enough trying to learn about others and develop business relationships, without changing your personality. In any case - what works for others will not necessarily work for you. We all admire honesty, so be transparent. You'll get far more respect.
Don’t copy others. Be yourself and find out what works for you. Let your own personality work the room and not someone else’s. It's tiring enough trying to learn about others and develop business relationships, without changing your personality. In any case - what works for others will not necessarily work for you. We all admire honesty, so be transparent. You'll get far more respect.
8. Dress for success
Don’t be afraid to make a statement and show your personality. If you want to wear a suit wear it. Wear jeans, bright shoes anything goes. If you feel good you will be relaxed and comfortable. If you enjoy the event you will get more out of it.
Don’t be afraid to make a statement and show your personality. If you want to wear a suit wear it. Wear jeans, bright shoes anything goes. If you feel good you will be relaxed and comfortable. If you enjoy the event you will get more out of it.
9. Don’t try to sell your product or service
Your goal is to meet people. You don't have time to do a good sales presentation. The business community will soon avoid you if all you're doing is selling you and your business. Networking is all about helping others. What you get out is what you put in.
Your goal is to meet people. You don't have time to do a good sales presentation. The business community will soon avoid you if all you're doing is selling you and your business. Networking is all about helping others. What you get out is what you put in.
10. Don’t treat everyone as a prospect
Networking is more than prospecting. It's also about finding people who could lead you to potential new customers. It's all about building relationships and helping one another. People buy people. Don’t expect to get leads if you don’t give anything back. Takers get nothing only givers get something in return. You reap what you sow!
Networking is more than prospecting. It's also about finding people who could lead you to potential new customers. It's all about building relationships and helping one another. People buy people. Don’t expect to get leads if you don’t give anything back. Takers get nothing only givers get something in return. You reap what you sow!
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