So you started a business, you work from home, you have a new executive position that requires you to connect with the community! WHAT NEXT???? There is nothing more powerful than a lady who knows how to make herself seen AND loved by all! When I started my own event planning company six years ago, I did not know a soul !!! So I decided to use networking events to get my name and face in the public. I am dedicating this blog to sharing what I have learned in the networking world with others .....
Dress to Impress - You don't have to wear designer , but don't believe people when they say looks don't matter! They do matter , and people do judge . If you look well put together you will have more people focused on your 30 second commercial on what you do vs. sizing up the fact you were not professional enough to remove your chipped nail polish before attending a networking event.
Don't Talk To Much- You're there to NETWORK not give your autobiography. Leave the TMI for girls night...tonight is about making connections that last and can turn into productive business relationships. FURTHER MORE leave room for the other person to talk. No one wants to hear your whole life story without even so much as a ....SO what do you do? Always seem more interested in your conversation partner . Let them ask you questions...and remember being just a little mysterious gives you a reason to set up a coffee date to talk business!
NETWORK- This may seem like silly advice, but d o you know how many people go to networking events and ONLY talk to people they know? Exactly how does that help you? I mean YOUR friends already know what you do. Make a commitment to pass out a certain number of business cards and connect with new people at every event you attend. Remember to follow up with ones you think you could do business with , within 72 hours. One key to networking is to make sure you leave a lasting impression on those potential connections.
Show Up! - YEAH I SAID IT !!! - In the lovely world of business I meet hundreds of people and while I can't remember a name I sure do remember a face. You have to be present , people like to feel like their doing business with someone they know. Go to more than one networking event, and try different groups. Evaluate which ones work for you and which ones don't , but show up. You have to present to get the support you need.
Support Support Support- I party to party and I network to network. Remember this! You will meet cool interesting people, you can't support them all .....BUT you can refer them to others and when you can try to support someone else. There is nothing worse than a person who is always asking me for something, but will never support or even mention my business to others! LET ME JUST BE HONEST ....IT'S RUDE and it does not help grow your business. Building healthy alliances with other savvy business women will grow your business faster than anything else will!
Secret... I fold the corners of business cards for people who seem to only be about themselves and then when I get home I THROW THEM AWAY!!!! They could have a potentially great service , but if you show no interest in me I will not support you...PERIOD!
Remember you can develop great friendships and business relationships from effective networking. It's about showing people that YOU are the person they should do business with AND showing people you are all about sharing the success with other hungry divas....
I CHALLENGE YOU LOVELY NETWORK DIVAS.....Support someone AT LEAST once a month. Trust me if you network as much as I do that will not be hard. You do this .. and then sit back and watch your business grow!
