Where to find business contacts:
• Anytime, anyplace, grocery stores, athletic games, meetings, events, extended family, friends, churches, health clubs and theater groups.
• Professional organizations like chambers of commerce and their committees.
• Get involved in community education organizations, serve on project and civic committees.
How to make your initial contacts work:
• Be enthusiastic every time you see them, smile.
• Have a confident handshake and dress professionally to meet your business image.
• Ask questions about their business and life; don't just do your sales pitch.
• Ask if a follow-up phone call is OK. Then, do so.
• Listen, listen, listen. Networking is developing relationships, not selling.
How to use business cards effectively:
• Always carry business cards with you because you never know when and where they will be needed.
• Ask for other people's business cards. Write down critical information if they don't.
• Write on backs of cards to remind you about the person or what you agreed on.
• Business cards must clearly tell what you do. If not, print it on the backside.
• Include phone, Web site, e-mail and fax information if you really want follow-up from others.
• Follow up on promises.
• Use color, your photo and other attractive designs or logos to get attention.
• Have your spouse also carry your cards, they have different acquaintances and contacts.
How to use phones for networking:
• When answering the phone, always sound confident, friendly and energetic.
• Tone of voice will influence a response and determine the tone of conversation.
• End conversations on positive notes and with definite plans for future meetings.
• Use the person's name during conversations.
• Ask questions that elicit answers, not just "yes" or "no."
• Three messages without a response is maximum, anymore is a waste of your time, and theirs.
• If you have a home-based business, make sure your business line is for business, not for the children.
• Always ask if it is convenient to talk when you call them.
How to network at social functions:
• Wear the appropriate attire (ask if not told).
• Don't just hang out at the hors d'oeuvre table or bar, mix.
• Don't drink too much. Look for people to talk with.
• Seek out someone who has no one to talk with, they will appreciate it and remember you.
• Be yourself, keep jokes clean, discuss thoughtful topics and avoid hot political topics.
• Don't just focus on talking business, get to know people personally first.
How to network at business functions:
• Attend business trade shows and look for businesses that could make good clients.
• Take plenty of business cards. Explore similarities and differences with people.
• Make sure your name tag is visible to promote yourself.
• Talk with other visitors, not just the vendors; ask questions about them.
• Pick up literature that might provide useful ideas for your own promotions.
• Ask for referrals from people who know others; share business solutions.
• Enjoy and don't just flit in and out. Attend seminars if offered.
• Discuss future plans and changes in their business.
How to network on golf courses:
• Plan foursomes carefully. Include satisfied customers with potential customers.
• Keep business discussions casual and to a minimum, no more than 20 percent of the time.
• Follow up with a light overview of the game during and after the 19th hole.
• Join golf clubs and attend functions there. Have your business logo printed on golf balls and other giveaways for players.
How to help others network:
• Introduce contacts to people they don't know; they will appreciate it.
• Offer to take them along on business affairs that also could be useful to them.
• Join those who could join forces with you to co-promote both businesses.
• Form alliances and offer to cooperate with them on compatible projects.
• Refer them to people you have met; they may do the same for you.
• Recommend organizations or activities they may want to get involved with.
• Develop your own effective style and help them feel better about theirs.
• Send them articles from publications to help them with business topics.
• Share marketing with non-competitors to help them get business from your clients and vice versa.
• Anytime, anyplace, grocery stores, athletic games, meetings, events, extended family, friends, churches, health clubs and theater groups.
• Professional organizations like chambers of commerce and their committees.
• Get involved in community education organizations, serve on project and civic committees.
How to make your initial contacts work:
• Be enthusiastic every time you see them, smile.
• Have a confident handshake and dress professionally to meet your business image.
• Ask questions about their business and life; don't just do your sales pitch.
• Ask if a follow-up phone call is OK. Then, do so.
• Listen, listen, listen. Networking is developing relationships, not selling.
How to use business cards effectively:
• Always carry business cards with you because you never know when and where they will be needed.
• Ask for other people's business cards. Write down critical information if they don't.
• Write on backs of cards to remind you about the person or what you agreed on.
• Business cards must clearly tell what you do. If not, print it on the backside.
• Include phone, Web site, e-mail and fax information if you really want follow-up from others.
• Follow up on promises.
• Use color, your photo and other attractive designs or logos to get attention.
• Have your spouse also carry your cards, they have different acquaintances and contacts.
How to use phones for networking:
• When answering the phone, always sound confident, friendly and energetic.
• Tone of voice will influence a response and determine the tone of conversation.
• End conversations on positive notes and with definite plans for future meetings.
• Use the person's name during conversations.
• Ask questions that elicit answers, not just "yes" or "no."
• Three messages without a response is maximum, anymore is a waste of your time, and theirs.
• If you have a home-based business, make sure your business line is for business, not for the children.
• Always ask if it is convenient to talk when you call them.
How to network at social functions:
• Wear the appropriate attire (ask if not told).
• Don't just hang out at the hors d'oeuvre table or bar, mix.
• Don't drink too much. Look for people to talk with.
• Seek out someone who has no one to talk with, they will appreciate it and remember you.
• Be yourself, keep jokes clean, discuss thoughtful topics and avoid hot political topics.
• Don't just focus on talking business, get to know people personally first.
How to network at business functions:
• Attend business trade shows and look for businesses that could make good clients.
• Take plenty of business cards. Explore similarities and differences with people.
• Make sure your name tag is visible to promote yourself.
• Talk with other visitors, not just the vendors; ask questions about them.
• Pick up literature that might provide useful ideas for your own promotions.
• Ask for referrals from people who know others; share business solutions.
• Enjoy and don't just flit in and out. Attend seminars if offered.
• Discuss future plans and changes in their business.
How to network on golf courses:
• Plan foursomes carefully. Include satisfied customers with potential customers.
• Keep business discussions casual and to a minimum, no more than 20 percent of the time.
• Follow up with a light overview of the game during and after the 19th hole.
• Join golf clubs and attend functions there. Have your business logo printed on golf balls and other giveaways for players.
How to help others network:
• Introduce contacts to people they don't know; they will appreciate it.
• Offer to take them along on business affairs that also could be useful to them.
• Join those who could join forces with you to co-promote both businesses.
• Form alliances and offer to cooperate with them on compatible projects.
• Refer them to people you have met; they may do the same for you.
• Recommend organizations or activities they may want to get involved with.
• Develop your own effective style and help them feel better about theirs.
• Send them articles from publications to help them with business topics.
• Share marketing with non-competitors to help them get business from your clients and vice versa.