Imagine if you had the key to attracting more customers, growing your business faster, and creating sustainable success in your personal and professional life;

YOU DO. It’s called Networking.

“Networking is the art of building relationships. It boils down to this: people do business with those they know and trust.”.  You're more likely to trust the advice of a friend, that believe some slick ad on TV”.

Networking is seeking long-term connections, not short-term gains. Networking is about being authentic, unselfish, genuine and honest. The key to successful networking is to be a decent and honorable person even when you’re not networking. It’s about opening a relationship, not closing the sale. It’s the power of connection.

Krista Moore from KCoaching had a great quote Networking is like “Ship Building”. Similar to ship building that it takes time, skill, and patience, but the ship you are building is a "relationships and partnerships.”

Business professionals get so busy worrying about their “to do” list and the bottom line numbers, they forget that RELATIONSHIPS are the true key to success in their business life and personal life. Once you make it your priority to build strong ships”, all your other goals tend to fall into place.

What networking is NOT is the mass collection of business cards for your database or a means to spam people for a sale.  This is not “hit and run” networking. It’s not Fast Food networking. It’s something that takes time and effort to culture. Not just about you, it also about how you can help others.

The Golden Rule of Networking: Give First..Get Second. Give value first, then receive. It seems as if everybody is into networking these days but only a handful of people know how to network effectively. Don't miss out on golden opportunities to become acquainted with those who can help you personally and professionally. To network properly, you need to get out of the cubicle!  Networking is a “contact sport” that can’t be done from behind a desk sending emails.

Be visible. Be seen.

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL EVENT NETWORKING:

*Smile Power: You smile at someone and they smile back it’s automatic because the brain is hardwired to function that way. A smile opens a door to friendly communications. Never leave home without it.

*Tag Team: If you are at event, travel in pairs like the FBI. When you “travel in pairs” it gives you a sense of security and confidence. Plus it works brilliantly if you don’t know the same people. Just remember to introduce your travelmate and not leave them standing awkwardly by themselves.

*Put In The Time: Attending one event, social, or gathering does not a networker make. Try to go to one a week. Challenge yourself to make on solid and valuable connection at each one or set  a goal of 7 new contacts a week. BE SEEN, and make an effort to genuinely connect with people.

*Use The Lingo: Learn to ask "What do you do?" with comfort, sincerity and interest. Follow up with “what do you like about what you do" or "tell me more."

 
SIDE NOTES:

**Don’t be a spam networker: Meaning, don’t show up at a networking event with only your agenda in mind. Business people are not dumb, they will notice the unfamiliar person who shows up, blankets the room with their business cards, and then disappears.

**Don’t limit your networking to just business events. Make those solid connections at cultural events and even during volunteer opportunities.

**After you leave an event or function and you’ve made some solid contacts, make notes while they are fresh in your mind. If there are leads to follow up on, or important info you don’t want to forget, jot it right on their card.  The palest ink is mightier that the strongest memory.