[Fredslist] Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Networking?

[Adrian Miller]

Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Networking?
More than ever, networking has become an essential skill for every  
business person. Taking the time to meet others in your industry and  
discover ways to help them and how they can help you can be both  
rewarding and lucrative. Unfortunately, not everyone has learned how  
to network effectively, and yes, many out there are downright  
networking nightmares.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you forget to keep someone who has given you a reference in the loop?
Are you neglectful in saying thank you when someone gives you a  
reference?
Are you slow to follow up on introductions?
Are you reluctant to reciprocate and give leads because you’re  
waiting for your contacts to specifically ask?
Do you have difficulty in sharing introductions?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you need to polish  
your networking skills.

The art of networking requires much more than eating a muffin at a  
Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. You need to know how to  
effectively communicate with others, build strong relationships, and  
make the most out of online and in-person networking opportunities.  
No, it’s not easy, and it’s certainly time consuming, too. But, the  
benefits of successful networking can be instrumental in growing your  
business.

How do you transform yourself from a networking nightmare into a  
networking pro? Here are five straightforward ways to help you  
improve your networking image.

Be Appreciative
You won’t keep a contact for long if you’re not showing your  
appreciation for their efforts to help you. If someone has given you  
a lead or valuable information, say “thank you” in a big way. Write a  
hand-written note. Take them to lunch, or send a donation to the  
charity of their choice. An email “thank you” is weak and doesn’t  
really cut it when the person has gone out of their way to be helpful  
to you.

Think Out of the Box
Don’t wait for someone to ask you for a specific referral. Be  
proactive. Mention that you have an interesting person for them to  
meet. Communicate the synergies that can be shared. Introduce  
influencers to other influencers. No, they might not be the end  
person who uses the product or service, but they can introduce the  
person to possible end-users.

Be Efficient
With online networking sites and emails, it’s so much easier than it  
used to be to introduce others. Use technology to your advantage and  
encourage those around you to do the same.

Set Up Small Informal Networking Events
You don’t have to depend on large networking organizations to plan  
your events. Take the initiative and plan your own networking  
breakfast or lunch for your contacts. Put together a regular get- 
together with a group of like-minded people and start expanding the  
circle to increase the networking opportunities.

Follow Up and Follow Through
Establish a timeframe for which you follow up with new contacts and  
follow through with helping others. If possible, it should never take  
longer than 24 hours to get back in touch with someone. This is  
particularly true for email and phone introductions which can become  
lost in the shuffle very quickly.

Adrian Miller Sales Training
516-767-9288
516-445-1135 (cell)
www.adrianmiller.com
http://www.adrianmiller.com/blog/

http://www.askadrianmiller.com/

www.mysalesquestion.com/

See my book: The Blatant Truth: 50 Ways to Sales Success" at
http://www.theblatanttruth.com/

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/amst


"What if we train them and they leave? What if we don't train them  
and they stay?"






-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.gothamnetworking.com/pipermail/fredslist/attachments/20081121/735d9894/attachment.html