Tips for Networking Your Way to Success

Why do you network? Is it because you want more friends, or is it because you’re hoping to make some money? It’s probably the latter. Everyone wants a piece of something. But have you ever felt that networking was a waste of time? In the early days of building my business I did. You go out full of expectation about meeting people and having them so excited about you and your service that they will feel instantly ready to sign up for what you have to offer. You exchange cards and then...Nothing. You meet, you greet, you schmooze, and perhaps you come away with a business card or two, or even a fist full. Then what? You go home, stick the pile of cards on the desk, or in the drawer and never look at them again. Worse, the people who took your card did the exact same thing. No “nice to meet you, let me know what I can do to serve you,” emails. No wonder networking is a waste of time. Six months ago I started working with Synergy Solutions because I knew I had to build my business strategically but didn’t know what that looked like. I’m a creative-type person who has lots of great ideas and gets a lot done. Getting strategic for me was learning how to play smarter, more efficiently and more strategic. When you start to network strategically, it makes a whole new game out of it. You probably know that it takes at least 5-7 touches before someone will buy from you? Getting other people to buy your business, service or product is hard work. Make no mistake. In fact, my business coaches Joyce Jackson and Mark Boersma says it takes 10 touches before you’re really in a powerful relationship with someone. Here are some things you can do to keep things moving ahead. You can:

1. Meet face to face
2. Send emails
3. Call on the phone
4. Invite to lunch
5. Send them a card
6. Send them some interesting information that will improve their business, their life, etc.
7. Newsletters
8. Free gifts
9. Give them important resources or contacts
10. In some way help them improve what they are doing

The list is endless and it’s all about being of service and making it all about the other person. You are building relationships based on trust. When we know, like and trust someone we are more likely to buy from them. When we fear that we’re being taken advantage of, or the other person doesn’t care about what is important to us, we lose that trust. So next time you’re in a networking situation, think about how you can genuinely help someone else get what they need. Build the trust first. Ask the following questions:

1. What is your greatest challenge in business or in life?
2. If you could get help on it, what would you LOVE to get help on?

Then follow-up with finding them the right resource, or giving them the right kind of advice, and you will become a friend for life. And next time when they are considering your line of service or product for themselves or someone else, they will think of you.