Mastering the art of effective networking marks the difference between merely successful entrepreneurs and captains of industry – the better you are at networking, the more power you wield. Networking serves many purposes, from building your customer base to providing and receiving needed resources from contacts in the business community, and anyone planning on growing a startup should devote time to sharpening their networking skills.
For many experienced entrepreneurs, networking events are the most productive way to spend their limited business-social time. For others, entering a room full of people seems overwhelming, especially if they don’t know anyone else there. There are a few simple rules to follow to be successful working the room, and anyone with a little willingness can learn to be a master of networking.
Begin With the End In Mind
Before you attend any networking events, plan your objectives. Whether you have a specific business problem you need to address, or you are looking to add three solid business contacts to your network, or you need two new client leads, going in with a plan will make the time you spend networking far more effective. Attending without set objectives is far more likely to result in a lot of time spent with very little payoff.
As you become more involved in your business community, you will likely find that there are enough networking events to completely fill your calendar. There is no need to attend every event. Some organizations will meet your particular needs better than others. Try out different venues, and evaluate the outcome based on a simple rule – you should obtain at least three new contacts, leads, or pieces of useful information for every hour you spend networking. If you find yourself attending a weekly event with the same people and you are not garnering any new information or leads, consider reducing your attendance to once per month and trying different events to improve your results.
In addition to setting specific objectives, prepare topics to discuss, knowledge to offer, and questions to ask to keep the conversation going. If there is a specific referral or information that you need, make a note so you don’t forget. Take your planner with you to hold business cards and take notes as needed.
Working the Room
Every networking event you attend will fall into one of three categories: you know everyone there, you know a few people, or you don’t know a soul. Each circumstance requires a different approach. If you know everyone, be sure to make contact with them all. Limit your conversations to a few minutes each. If possible, make introductions between professionals you know who have something in common or complementary skills or businesses.
If you know only a few people in the room, start by catching up with each of them. Ask them who else they know and to introduce you around. Be sure you do the same by introducing the people you know to each other. Be prepared with business cards to exchange and make a habit of giving two to each new contact – one to keep and one to pass on as a referral. When you receive cards from new contacts, take a moment to note any interesting personal or business information about them to add to your contact database. If someone you meet does not have a business card, write down their information in your planner…whatever you do, never let a potentially good contact go to waste.
If you don’t know anyone at a networking event, start by looking for people standing by themselves. No one likes to be on the outside looking in, and generally these other folks will also be uncomfortable because they don’t know anyone. Once you have chatted for a few minutes, take your new contact with you to meet another loner, and another, until you have a group that everyone else in the room wants to join. Showing that kind of leadership will make you the go-to contact in your business community and will increase the odds of growing your business through referrals.
If the event you are attending has a “special guest” invited, most attendees will be clamoring for their attention. If the press is present, you should be talking to them. Meeting the state Senator is exciting, but knowing the local business reporter will get you more exposure and, thus, more business. Pay attention to what people are talking about and be just as interested in what you can do for them as in what they can do for you. Set an objective to be the best networking contact in your industry or area, and work every room with that intention in mind.
What to do (and not to do) at networking events
Some basic do’s and don’ts of networking events:
Effective networking skills are a powerful tool for entrepreneurs, and the ability to work a room is one of the toughest to master. Use common sense and make a point of evaluating your performance after each networking event. The more self-aware you are, the easier it will be to become the go-to contact in your area and industry.
This article published here.
…
K. MacKillop, a serial entrepreneur with a J.D. from Duke University, is founder of LaunchX and authors a blog focused on starting a business. It is a complete business startup kit containing everything you need to turn your idea into a successful business. Visit http://www.LaunchX.com/ for a free Business Readiness
Assessment and get on the road to starting a business
today.
Read more articles written by K. MacKillop
Related posts:
- Networking Tips For Business And Career Success
Being a business leader is hard work, and then there is always the stress of keeping the various aspects of a business moving in a positive direction. Having the right people to turn to in times of need is always an important consideration for business owners and managers. Networking has... - How Proactive Networking Can Dramatically Boost Your Business
Dear Friend, Do you know why most people fail at marketing anything on the Internet? Even though the products or services they are trying to sell are awesome? Regardless of your present level of success, pause for a minute and try to find out the #1 reason for failure so... - How To Monetize Your Skills
The best way to start your business off the right foot is to examine yourself and see what your best skills are. Here is a list of which business model you are able to excel with: Writing Graphics Design Statistics Programming Networking Monetizing Your Writing Skills A writer is always... - Offline Networking: Does it Really Matter to Us Internet Marketers?
One of the most common mistakes that Internet marketers make is to assume that every last thing they do must be online. Wrong! Offline networking can be a very helpful resources when it comes to building your online empire. Here are some examples of how devoting some time to networking... - How To Choose The Right Rug For A Room
Choosing the right area rug for a room goes beyond simply selecting a rug that you like. Existing factors within the room will determine the rug you should select. A common mistake many people make is merely selecting the rug they like best, without taking into account how it will... - Transform Any Room with Stained Glass Panels
You can find a stained glass panel for any room in your home. No matter what kind of decorating style or theme you have, there are beautiful stained glass designs to go with it. Hanging any of these panels in a window or somewhere that light will shine through them... - Public Speaking Skills: First Principle of Great Communication
We all need public speaking skills, even if it’s only the skill of asking a question at a local meeting of the Parents and Teachers’ Association. Over the years I have seen even very experienced public speakers forget the most basic principle of oral (spoken) communication. Before sharing with you... - How To Get Paid For Social Networking
It’s no secret that the fastest growing web properties are the social networking sites. Sites like Twitter, FaceBook, and Sokule are all the rave. Part of the reason that these sites are so popular is that the Internet can be such a lonely place. People who run online businesses from... - The Big Picture Of Pursuing A Career As A Microsoft Networking Administrator
Pursuing a career as a Microsoft Networking Administrator can be both rewarding and challenging. There is a lot to learn in preparation for your career in this field, and you must be willing to upgrade those skills every few years in order to stay up-to-date on these ever-changing technologies. Fortunately,... - Almost There – YouTube and Social Networking
Innovation doesn’t wait for anybody. It’s a constant, vital force, thriving on new ideas, new interpretations of old ideas, and a deep desire to understand the next important step. This generation has been defined by its technological advances, and the creation of a global society on the Web. This society... - Working Safely With Solvents
Solvents are commonly found in many workplaces. They are used so often that workers forget that they can be very dangerous when not handled appropriate. Loosely defined, a solvent is a substance, usually a liquid, that is used to dissolve another substance. Solvents can pose a number of health risks... - How to Build a Really Great Business? (Super Success Secrets from a Legendary Business Master)
Times are tough. The economy is in a constant state of upheaval. Is your company doing better than most? Are you placing greater emphasis on pure performance? If you haven’t maybe it’s time for a serious round of intense corporate soul searching. But do you know how? Business consultant Chet... - Working With Price Sensitive Buyers
The value of money in today’s world is a stark reality and that is why customers looking to shop for their needs have become aware of the cash factor where buying is concerned. They look to getting the most out of the least money spent that is why pricing your... - The Working Parent’s Home Office – Organization for Success
If you’re a parent that works at home, you already know about the ongoing conflict between your business and your family obligations. Home based businesses are rapidly becoming the norm in our world of high technology. As a parent, this is great news, as it allows you to be in... - Is Government Working For You – Or Are You Working For Government?
The new Congress and President are hard-at-work trying to push through a new economic stimulus package. Our elected leaders are claim the stimulus package will cost $825 billion, but the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – which is known for its accurate accounting – says that with interest costs, the package...