Growing your network is not an easy task whether it is online or offline. This article will give you some suggestions on how to excel at networking both online and offline. The secret is simply to remember the platinum rule, give more than you get. Here are the A to Z’s of good networking:
A - Always make it easy for people to remember you. Have an easy to remember website, email address and phone number.
B - Brevity is the secret to your slogan or tagline. Keep it short and make sure others associate it with you and your brand.
C - Create a Facebook page and use it for yourself professionally so that other Facebook users have a place to follow you professionally.
D - Don’t forget the power of LinkedIn applications. Use them and your online presence will be more powerful. Join groups, give recommendations, answer questions and have a strong profile. Don’t forget to spend at least 15 minutes on LinkedIn every day.
E - Exercise good judgment when it comes to giving recommendations on LinkedIn. Remember that people will often look at the profile of the person who wrote the recommendation so be sure you are willing to put your reputation on the line when writing a recommendation.
F - Find good networking groups to join and then participate and take a leadership role. These groups are both online and offline.
G - Great minds think alike. Look for or form a mastermind group where you can brainstorm with others and improve your skills on all levels.
H - Hold a mixer or a client appreciation meeting. Give back and you will meet more people and get more referrals than you ever imagined.
I - Initiate conversations with strangers whenever possible. If you find yourself in a line waiting at the bank or at a coffee shop, ask the person in front or in back of you a question and start a conversation. You never know where it can lead.
J - Jump into LinkedIn with both feet. Write your profile and revise it. Make sure that it is one hundred percent complete and that you have used keywords to get a higher ranking on Google.
K - Keep in mind that networking is about building relationships and not selling. People don’t want to be sold. Always position yourself as a resources and ask others how you can help them. Stay top of mind by keeping in touch and being thoughtful.
L - Little things make a big difference in networking. Send handwritten notes after you meet someone new, send small gifts when appropriate and go the extra mile.
M - Make networking part of your everyday activities on your calendar. Either invite someone new to join you on LinkedIn or Facebook or go to an event where you will meet someone new.
N - Never leave home without your business cards or your smile. You never know where your next great referral will show up.
O - Open your mind to the possibility that writing a blog can bring you new friends and prospects. Blogging is a great way to create a group of followers .
P - Practice your elevator pitch until you have it memorized and then make sure others know it as well. It is so easy to get referrals when others know what you do and how to refer to you.
Q - Questions are one the best ways to get to know someone. Ask lots of open ended questions to the people you meet. Ask them about their work and watch how much you can learn about someone.
R - Repeat someone’s name when you are introduced. People loving hearing their own name and this is a great way to help you remember names.
S - Show up early and stay late at networking events. You will increase your chances of meeting more people and can take on the role of host or hostess by helping others and introducing people to one another.
T - Take the time to get to know a circle of six people who you meet with on a regular basis and make referrals to. This can be your primary source of referrals if you take the time to form a this type of group. Make sure that your group has committed members who are in businesses with complimentary services or products and want to help one another.
U - Understand that networking takes time and it is all about relationships. Join online forums, social media groups as well as chambers of commerce, networking groups and associations. Over time, you will build a strong base of people that you can network with.
V - Victorious is what you will be when you learn to separate suspects from prospects. Suspects are the people who don’t need your services or products, cannot afford them, are not the decision makers and are not ready to purchase. Be victorious and find the prospects, those people who do need your product or service, are ready to make a purchase and can make the decision to buy.
W - Watch how other effective networkers work a room. Be an observer and watch the experts as they talk to people, shake hands and exchange cards. Then talk to these people and ask them if you can buy them a cup of coffee and learn how they became successful.
X - Be extraordinary in your networking efforts. Do what you say you are going to do and under commit and over perform.
Z - ZZZZZ’s are NOT what you want to get when networking. Stay awake, keep alert and keep your eye on the ball. Networking is work but with the right combination of online and offline efforts, you will have a golden rolodex of referral partners that will serve you well.
Now that you have the alphabet soup of networking, go out and meet some people and turn your contacts into contracts. Remember, your mother was wrong, talk to strangers and master the “f” word “follow-up” and you will always be two minutes and two people away from your next great referral.
Rhonda L Sher: The Sloganator Rhonda L Sher was born talking. She fell in love with words as a child and has never stopped communicating since. Her father once commented that she was vaccinated with a phonograph needle. Not only has Rhonda inherited her father's humor, but it's that quick wit that has become the signature that has helped propel her clients to stardom.Acclaimed Keynote and workshop leader, Rhonda has authored two books, "The 2 Minute Networker" and "The ABC's of LinkedIn," "Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out" as well as numerous action guides, articles, workbooks, jingles and corporate slogans.
In addition to writing, Rhonda uses her gift of gab as a featured keynote speaker, consultant and corporate trainer throughout North America. She has successfully taught hundreds of business men and women on the art of business networking and written hundreds of elevator pitches and slogans.Rhonda's greatest talent lies in her ability to create fabulously catchy slogans that are memorable, upbeat, easy to repeat and create instant brand identification. In addition to the books, audio and video, Rhonda creates slogans and taglines for her clients which are memorable, bring them business and make them, money. She works with you to create a corporate slogan for your business that sets you apart from your competition. Her creativity and energy will tap into your customer's mind and have your phone ringing off the hook with new business.
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1 comment:
Rhonda,
Great article!
Peter Biadasz
Author/Speaker/Publisher
www.TotalPublishingAndMedia.com
Author of “More Leads”
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