The sales we so desire as business owners tend to be developed through properly fostered relationships that we create with others - specifically other business owners. Business Networking functions and group gatherings provide an excellent opportunity for you to expand your growing contact list, especially if you take the time to nurture the relationship once you make contact. While the base idea is to form relationships, these events still offer opportunities for new and immediate business leads. Here are some strategies to help make your business networking efforts more profitable:
Choose the right Group - There are a lot of groups in the states across America - that are put together to help business owners generate leads and network with one another. Not all groups are open to everyone, and not every group is appropriate for you to join. For example, if you're target audience happens to be Fortune 500 companies then joining a group of individual business owners may not be the best use of your time.
Focus on Quality over Quantity - You might feel productive at the end of the day when you walk away from an event holding a pocket full of business cards but how many of those contacts are quality people that relate to your business networking and lead generation needs? Don't become that person that is constantly scanning the room looking for someone they have yet to meet. Pay attention to the conversation you're in and build a quality foundation so you can move forward with lead generation.
Make a Positive Impression First - It's cliché, but it's true that you have one opportunity to make a great first impression. This boils down into several factors, all of which you have control over; your handshake, your grooming, your facial expression, eye-contact, interest and attentiveness, etc. If you're genuine, attentive and you don't shy away from the business networking opportunities then your odds of making quality contacts will increase dramatically.
Be Engaging - Seek first to understand then to be understood. That means that a conversation has two sides as well, so while you're networking with others you need to make an effort to comment and ask leading questions. Talk about their business, ask them to elaborate, demonstrate real interest, etc. If you demonstrate interest in a person they're more likely to show interest in you as well.
State Clearly What You Do - It's one thing to know what you do, it's another thing to be able to clearly and easily define it in a simple form. People don't want to take 15 minutes to understand who you are and what you bring to the table. Take the time to develop a refined 10 second intro and expand on it so that you fit the "what you do" into the remaining 20 seconds. That gives you the traditional 30 second elevator pitch perfect for small business networking and generating interest in you.
Lastly, don't forget to follow up after the event. This is where a lot of people tend to drop the ball when it comes to small business networking. You're surrounded by business owners, some of whom even travel from far and wide for the purposes of networking. If you make a great relationship and hit it off with another small business owner then the smart thing to do is send a hand-written note thanking them for the interaction. Express interest in staying connected and follow up a few weeks later by offering to meet them again in person to talk shop over coffee or lunch. Build the relationship and the business leads will follow.
Choose the right Group - There are a lot of groups in the states across America - that are put together to help business owners generate leads and network with one another. Not all groups are open to everyone, and not every group is appropriate for you to join. For example, if you're target audience happens to be Fortune 500 companies then joining a group of individual business owners may not be the best use of your time.
Focus on Quality over Quantity - You might feel productive at the end of the day when you walk away from an event holding a pocket full of business cards but how many of those contacts are quality people that relate to your business networking and lead generation needs? Don't become that person that is constantly scanning the room looking for someone they have yet to meet. Pay attention to the conversation you're in and build a quality foundation so you can move forward with lead generation.
Make a Positive Impression First - It's cliché, but it's true that you have one opportunity to make a great first impression. This boils down into several factors, all of which you have control over; your handshake, your grooming, your facial expression, eye-contact, interest and attentiveness, etc. If you're genuine, attentive and you don't shy away from the business networking opportunities then your odds of making quality contacts will increase dramatically.
Be Engaging - Seek first to understand then to be understood. That means that a conversation has two sides as well, so while you're networking with others you need to make an effort to comment and ask leading questions. Talk about their business, ask them to elaborate, demonstrate real interest, etc. If you demonstrate interest in a person they're more likely to show interest in you as well.
State Clearly What You Do - It's one thing to know what you do, it's another thing to be able to clearly and easily define it in a simple form. People don't want to take 15 minutes to understand who you are and what you bring to the table. Take the time to develop a refined 10 second intro and expand on it so that you fit the "what you do" into the remaining 20 seconds. That gives you the traditional 30 second elevator pitch perfect for small business networking and generating interest in you.
Lastly, don't forget to follow up after the event. This is where a lot of people tend to drop the ball when it comes to small business networking. You're surrounded by business owners, some of whom even travel from far and wide for the purposes of networking. If you make a great relationship and hit it off with another small business owner then the smart thing to do is send a hand-written note thanking them for the interaction. Express interest in staying connected and follow up a few weeks later by offering to meet them again in person to talk shop over coffee or lunch. Build the relationship and the business leads will follow.
