BUILDING PROFITABLE LASTING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS: Making THE Connection ~ Ideas & Strategies

Bonnie Ross-Parker Founder and CEO	Handing out business cards is NOT networking…It is only a cardboard connection! Effective connectors are eager to give away their resources, expertise, contacts information, phone numbers, and ideas. Think about YOUR contacts and areas of expertise and be willing to share their value with others. What you know is important. People are always looking for insight to grow personally and professionally. Networking is NOT an event….It IS a process which takes time to develop. Networking isn’t appearing; it’s interacting. Connections are built through conversations and exchanges of information.. Pour your energy into creating valuable relationships. Show Up and be remembered. Why bother to participate for any other reason? BE PREPARED.. It’s the Great Connector’s Motto Enthusiasm – tell contacts an experience/idea you are excited about! Discoveries – share news that can help someone else Resources – read a new book that you’d recommend? Expertise – offer help when you can provide a solution Referrals/Leads – “I know someone that needs your service/to meet you.” Reviews – give your opinion Ideas – Share similar experiences that can offer a new approach Trends – “Were you aware that….?” Support – Ask permission to offer help Shortcuts/Tips – experiences that can make life easier for someone else New Products/Services – Tell about a new business/service you found Great greetings will grow into great connections.. Practice an innovative way to introduce yourself “What is the best thing that happened to you today?” I love your “tie”, “pin”, “hairstyle”, care to share where you purchased it? “What do you love most about what you do?” “In a perfect world, what would you be doing?” “What do you do for fun?” Sound Familiar? Dead Connecting! “Hi, how are you?” “Not bad. How are you?” “Not bad. What’s new?” “Not much. Been really busy.” “Me, too. We’ll have to get together sometime.” “Good idea. Give me a call.” “I’ll do that. See you later.” Follow Up Ideas! Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Do Initiate!! Write notes on the back of EVERY business card you get IF intend to follow up/call/connect/give to this person. Invite a visit to your office/place of work where appropriate Put out a newsletter Invite for breakfast, lunch, etc to continue your connection Send a note, postcard, email to stay in touch Invite to another event, conference, seminar…to show interest in both advancing their network and experiencing something meaningful together Get feedback. Ask for advice on a plan you have, an effective way to do something, etc. Effective connectors are honored by someone asking for their opinion or expertise. It’s showing them you have confidence and trust in their judgment. Offer to bring someone somewhere, to save a seat, make the arrangements Do something unexpected Offer to speak where you can offer expertise, provide handouts, volunteer Be an initiator….don’t wait to be invited. Initiators ARE remembered, especially when they make someone else feel important, included, validated, comfortable. Get Visible: It’s not what you know, or who you know. It’s WHO KNOWS YOU! Be a valuable contact for others. You sell not only what you make, do, or service but who you are. There are two sides to connecting: giving and getting. You control only one side. It only makes sense to work on the side you control 100%. Listen generously. Make your name memorable. Talk talent, not title. Be curious about people. They will remember YOUR interest in them! Compliment. Acknowledge. Appreciate. Give generously and often. Be spontaneous. Be approachable. Be confident.
About The Joy of Connecting THE JOY OF CONNECTING® is a nationally recognized off-line community designed to support the female entrepreneur, business woman and professional. With face-to-face opportunities in warm, nurturing environments, participants join other professionals to increase one's warm market, build relationships and expand business. JOC is an innovative customer acquisition/marketing program, IF: Your present NETworking is NOT working. You're looking to eliminate frustration and rejection. You're looking to expand the business you love. You want to get paid to market your business to others. You want greater website exposure, training and enhance your leadership skills. CLICK HERE to learn more about this innovative customer acquisition program!
More About Bonnie www.TheJOYofConnecting.com www.TheLatinaJOYofConnecting.com www.BonnieRossParker.com www.42rules.com/42rules/bonnierossparker www.twitter.com/joyofconnecting www.ideamarketers.com/experts/networking.cfm www.quoteactions.com/a/profile/222 www.TheWINonline.com : Business Plus: Real Ideas for Real Results

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BUILDING PROFITABLE LASTING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS: Making THE Connection ~ Ideas & Strategies