Step
1
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Register well in advance. This lets the organizers that you are serious and excited about the
opportunity to attend their event and you will be able to build a rapport to …
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Step
2
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Find out who will be attending. In some cases, an organization will post the list of registered
attendees, however other groups do not. There may be a list of those who attended previously but
that doesn’t guarantee that those same people and companies will be represented when YOU attend.
By registering in advance and building a rapport with the organizers you can …
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Step
3
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Make a list people attending that you would like to meet or of types of businesses that is a good
prospect for you. If you have been successful at numbers one and two then you can easily …
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Step
4
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Ask the organizers to introduce or point key people out to you since by now you will have built a
trust. So if you …
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Step
5
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Arrive Early, then you will get an opportunity to meet those persons as early in the game as possible
and you won’t spend the entire event, sitting in one place, eating a meal and listening to the speaker
when your purpose was to …
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Step
6
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Meet new people. This may sound basic but MEET NEW PEOPLE. Don’t spend the majority of your time
talking to people you know. The purpose of networking is to give referrals, gain referrals and build
business relationships. Meet new people so that your circle of influence won’t be limited to the few
people you always see at the same events. Here are six questions to ask when you meet a new
person:
- Introduction: Are you a member of this organization?
- Bridge: Have you heard the speaker before?
- Crucial: What does your firm do?
- Background: Is this your own firm?
- Strategic: What is your target market/ who is your ideal client?
- Closing: May I have your business card? Or if you meet someone that may be useful to
someone else attending the event…
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Step
7
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Introduce people you meet to other people you've previously met. This action gives all parties
involved that “warm and fuzzy” feeling because you thought highly enough of them to introduce them
to someone else. Flattery doesn’t hurt as long as it isn’t inappropriate. Speaking of which watch you
mouth!
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Step
8
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Watch what comes out of your mouth! Your words are often heard even before your face and
business card are seen. Your words are often the first impression. We’ve all said something stupid in
our lives. Learn from it. Don’t use words, phrases, abbreviations, descriptions, anecdotes, jokes,
metaphors, or anything that can be offensive. Avoid unhealthy and unprofessional conversations. So
watch what comes out and …
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Step
9
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Watch what goes into your mouth! I recommend avoiding alcohol at networking events because:
- “Loose lips sink ships!” Most people tend to talk a bit too much, say things they never intended
or even remember later with even a little bit of wine. Drink water. You can enjoy the wine when
you get home.
- You are with people you don’t know. Follow the same rules that college students SHOULD follow
at parties. Don’t take a drink from anyone and be constantly aware of your surroundings. This
goes for women AND men. Don’t laugh! Men are being targeted just like women for petty and
vicious crimes. Robbery, rape and homicide are not limited to frat parties and I don’t know of any
after-hours networking groups that do background checks on attendees. In fact for after-hours
events you may want to…
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Step
10
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Go with a friend or business associate. This doesn’t just apply to after-hours events but also any
networking event. If you’re going to a new place it is good to have a buddy to read the directions in
the car, introduce to new people you meet, and truly networking with so that you ….
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Step
11
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Give referrals and share your circle of influence with other people. It helps their business and in turn
they want to help YOUR business. The “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” concept actually goes a
long way with most people. You don’t to say, “I helped you, now you’re obligated to help me!” It will
just come naturally as you…
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Step
12
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Build relationships. Lets say you met a few people you believe that you can help them, they can help
you or you want to learn more about their business. You get the most out of networking events after
the event is over in my opinion. But that is just my opinion. Don’t take my word for it. The next time you
attend a networking event or even from this event, call someone up that you want to do business with
and offer to take them to lunch or coffee. Invite them to another event. Find a way to develop a
business relationship outside of that networking event without focusing on selling them your service
unless they ask for it or make it clear they need it.
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