All Business Networking

Have you ever had the hard sell at a networking event?

I went to a great event last week where I got to make some good new contacts, followed up with a few people I had met previously and caught up with a few that I knew well. A really enjoyable experience and an efficient use of time like many well organised and structured business networking groups.

A speaker at the event gave some tips on the use of Social Media and online Social Networks. His number one tip was that networking online is no different to offline, it is not selling it is relationship building. I found it ironic that someone then gave me the hard sell!

He approached me and said, "I saw you on the list can I ask some questions?"

"Of course," I replied.

He proceeded to ask his questions and then said, "the reason I am asking is because of what I do..."

Then it turned into a straight sales pitch and the more he pushed the more I resisted until I just switched off altogether. When he gave me his business card I made a note on it to file it in the appropriate place.

He was not interested in me at all!

Remember that business networking is about building relationships first and as Dale Carnegie famously said "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you!"

If you are looking for business today from the people you meet, that is selling. Successful networking builds your business for tomorrow. More in this podcast, 'The difference between Networking and Selling'

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

Working with your network to generate business quickly

A few months ago my wife was telling me about the troubles a friend of hers was having with her small home based beauty therapy business. Her friend had built a good client base, but a number of them were having less regular treatments due to the effects of the 'credit crunch' on them. She needed to generate some more work.

We discussed some ideas and came up with an action plan including;

* contacting all old clients
* meeting up with other business people she knew in the same market (other providers of services to women in their homes) to see where there were opportunities to cross refer each other
* a party where 3 of them would invite their clients and good contacts to socialise and experience the services of each

The party last week was a great success. 10 new people got to sample the work of the beautician. So she has some new advocates together with 4 new client bookings from the night, another party to do the same in a different village and some work at a hairdressing salon in a nearby town.

Business through networking can take time especially when you are building relationships with new contacts. But don't forget the power of your existing network when you get together and do things for each other. You can generate business very quickly!

Have you thought about any new initiatives with people in your close network recently?

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

Internet based marketing & business networking on the increase

In a recent monthly column on the National Networker I wrote about 'UK: Networking Activity on the Increase'. In the post I asked whether 'Offline' networking was growing in line with 'Online' and reported the anecdotal evidence to support the view that it was.

Some research came to my attention earlier this week from Robert Rush of pfa research. The findings in relation to sales & marketing activity in their South West Business Pulse January 2009 make interesting reading:

* 29% increasing activity on internet based marketing with 2% reducing activity
* 16% increasing activity on business networking with 1% reducing activity

Increasing activity in these areas is against a background of 17% reporting an increase in overall activity on sales & marketing as opposed to 26% reporting an overall decrease.

Make sure you don't miss the opportunities that this increase in business networking activity is providing.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast