Effective Networking: 5 Tips For Success

Networking when done effectively is an excellent way to grow your business.

It’s economical (in most cases) and allows you to build strong client relationships. Here are five tips you can immediately implement into your next networking event to help effective networking.

Effective Networking Tip 1:

Have a plan before you walk into the event. Take some time to outline what you most want to accomplish. Set realistic goals for yourself. For instance, maybe decide ahead of time that you want to meet 3 to 5 new people, reconnect with 2 people you’ve met before and book 1 or 2 follow up meetings. By setting up a plan ahead of time, you now have a way to measure your success at the end of the event. Take a few minutes at the end of the event to evaluate how it went. Ask yourself how you did and what you might do differently at the next event to be even more effective.

Effective Networking Tip 2:

Work the room. For those who are like me and feel a little shy in a room full of new people here’s a simple technique to keep you engaged: Act as if this is your event, you’re the host and it’s your job to make others feel comfortable. Imagine all of these people are in your home, go out of your way to put people at ease. One way you might do this is by making introductions. Take someone you’ve met before and introduce them to someone brand new. This raises your credibility in the room and people will remember you as someone who went out of their way to make them feel comfortable.

Effective Networking Tip 3:

Be ready with your calendar to book next step sessions with the people you meet. Too many people treat networking as an opportunity to pass out a stack of business cards or flyers. This is ineffective and a waste of your valuable time and resources.

Think about it, after a networking event do you run back to your office and follow up with every single business card you were handed at a networking event? Chances are you don’t. Very few people do.

In order to maximize your networking experience, book your next step appointment right there in the room when you have the person in front of you and interested. People who say, “Here’s my business card, call me,” are totally missing out on opportunities to work with their ideal clients. Instead, ask the person,

“Should we set up a time to connect further on this? I have my calendar available, when’s a good time to meet?”

Then suggest a day and time for a follow-up meeting/phone call. When you do this, you’re making it easy for the other person to meet with you. And, really that’s the best way to earn a person’s business – make it easy and chances are they’ll say yes.

When you tell someone to call you, you're basically saying to them, “At some point in the next few days when you have nothing on your to-do list, stop and take a look at your schedule, pick a time that’s available for you, call me and hope I answer the phone and maybe we’ll set up a time to meet.”

It’s your job to invite people to the next step. When you issue an invitation, you’ll find you’re booking more clients.

Effective Networking Tip 4:

Be of service to the people you meet. A rapport breaker is treating people like a dollar bill vs. a real person. In order to build trust and make authentic connections, consider asking this simple question,

“How can I be a resource for you?”

Send the message that you are there to make legitimate connections and be willing to act on their responses. This is another way to raise your credibility and build trust. We all know people do business with people they know, like and trust. Approaching networking with “of service” attitude sends the right message to prospective clients and connections.

Effective Networking Tip 5:

Follow through is a pre-cursor to what people can expect from you if/when they become a client. Too many people say they’re going to do something and then for whatever reason, they get busy, they forget, etc., they never actually do what they’ve promised.

One way to significantly stand out and shine is to do what you say you’re going to do. When you tell someone you’re going to make an introduction for them, write a testimonial, etc, add it to your calendar or your to-do list in the moment. This will ensure you remember it after the event. Be sure to complete the task within a day or so of the networking event.

You are showing people what to expect when they work with you based on how you follow through and follow up. People want to know they can count on you and trust you to keep your word.

Remember, everything you do and say, in addition to what you wear, is making a statement. You’re building your brand and your reputation. So, do everything you can to set yourself up for success.

Wishing you continued success this week.

Agree? Disagree? Have additional comments or thoughts on this article? Please share.