7 Steps to Networking Success
If you have been reading even a few of our entries, you will see the common
elements of our thoughts. At the end of the day, business relationships are
built on trust. Trust only comes from experience. When networking for business
one is only successful if they follow the ‘ground rules'. This is our checklist
of 7 Steps.
1. Think about the other guy. He has a story to tell, and
trust us, he wants to. Let him or her go first. Letting them go first, because
of the way the human mind is built, you will make a great first impression.
Remember that first impressions are lasting ones.
2. After you have met someone, send a Thank You. Whenever
possible, send a physical Thank You card, hand signed. In this electronic world,
you really stand out. Hopefully, you can see how this ties to step number one.
3. Wait. Don't attempt to push the relationship too fast.
4. Be regular. No - not that kind of regular! <
We mean use a calendar (we
like Google's because it is free and cloud-based, but you pick what works best
for you) to make notes of things they unfold during conversations - like their
birthday. Nobody expects that you stayed up day and night all year thinking
about the event. Just the act of setting a calendar alarm to send a ‘thinking
of you' will go far.
5. Be sincere. Before you have contact with someone, show
interest. For example: Before you send an email to Mr. X, check the weather in
His City. Ask them what they think of the Notice that you yourself are offering
no opinion. Simply giving Mr. X a chance to express his.
6. Follow them in Social Media. Twitter, LinkedIn,
Facebook, yada-yada. It really helps to use a free utility for this as well.
7. Do What You Say You Will Do. If you promise to do a
follow-up (for example, you said you would forward some free PDF), well it's
simple. Do IT. <
It is amazing the amount
of times people say they will do some small task to look good at the moment,
and never follow up. By Actually Doing That, you will gain an amazing
reputation in your network (both business and personal) about what a remarkable
person you are.
And you are, because based on the raw numbers that humans deal with, very
few people actually do these things. <Now you know the ‘easy'
way.
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