Written By: Jennifer Gluckow
Think about everywhere you go each day, and ask yourself how many missed engagements and connections are all around you? Then ask yourself, if a connection opportunity presented itself, how ready would you be?
Many people only network at networking meetings and events. Big mistake! Opportunities to expand your network and make powerful connections are anywhere and everywhere.
On airplanes, in classes and seminars, at parties, attending trade shows, at the gym, at your child’s school, and even when out with existing customers.
While sweating at the gym, I made a major business connection. In New York, most people are quick to come and go, but I try to be friendly (in a New York Minute).
After a few weeks of seeing the same people in my weekly Saturday workout class, it was clear we shared something: our love for the instructor and his kick-ass class займы на карту без проверки кредитной истории.
That bond made a quick conversation starter and rapport builder before the class began.
I connected with some of the class-goers and learned that one was a principal of an elementary school.
I was selling educational software to elementary schools, and after hearing about my work, the principal asked me to demo my solutions for her and her staff. Wow!
Because of my networking connection, I didn’t need to cold call the school, instead the decision-maker was asking me for a meeting.
Within weeks I got the sale (note the average sales cycle was 3+ months). And, she referred me to a few other principals in the area!
What made this gym interaction so successful?
I used a shared love for the class to make connections, I was friendly, I asked questions to find out who did what, I created trust and demonstrated my reliability by following up, and I scored.
Think about everywhere you go each day, and ask yourself how many missed engagements and connections are all around you?
Then ask yourself, if a connection opportunity presented itself, how ready would you be?
Are you making the right connections, or are you letting opportunities pass you by?
I’ve built my business through face-to-face networking, making follow-up appointments, and finalizing sales.
Successful networking is all about getting new business, creating positive word-of-mouth referrals, and building rich relationships.
Being proactive is the key. Talk to everyone you can, and make a friendly, favorable impression at EVERY opportunity.
Make the person you’re talking to WANT to continue the conversation and meet again. This will lead to you becoming known as both interesting and valuable.
Jeffrey Gitomer says, “In sales it’s not who you know, in sales it’s who knows you.” I say it’s not only who knows you, but also how highly they think of you. What’s your word-of-mouth and word-of-mouse reputation?
A Google search will uncover your word-of-mouse reputation in a nanosecond.
Are you known for doing what you say you will do, or are you known for lousy follow up? Are you known for high-quality service, or are you known for not caring about your customers?
Make sure all the positive things about you are online, and take action to repair any damaging claims about you or your job performance.
Become a networking elephant. Never forget what was said or promised by writing a note on their business card.
Do this immediately.
After the event is the all-critical follow up. If you promised to connect them with someone, or offered to email a recent blog post or article that relates to their industry, do it within 24-hours!
Connect with them on LinkedIn so that you can stay in touch.
This is how you will get them to remember you, and how you also build credibility and trust. If you focus on your networking prowess, business leads will present themselves.
When you can say “YES” to those questions, you can sit back and watch your net-work increase your net-worth.
Jennifer Gluckow
Writer - Speaker - Advisor Jennifer writes a lot. Juggling her time between speaking…
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