Before we talk about specific networking tips I want to address a critical aspect of networking that is often overlooked. Sometimes we are so eager to network that we don’t stop to consider whether or not we are investing our energy in the right places.
Your key to success is to be able to sell yourself in a positive way and let’s face it, selling doesn’t come naturally to everybody (me included), so it’s important to take time and consider how you can develop that certain je ne sais quoi that make you stand out from the crowd.
A Trade Show targeted for people interested in starting a home business is the best place to start. Smaller booths are very affordable, easy to decorate and give you a great chance to make personal contact with visitors. If you display informative brochures and offer fun prizes hourly, you will get numerous leads from attendees. Make sure your website URL and phone number are in full view.
The goal therefore is to become your new profession. Don’t wait until someone hires you before you think of yourself as a computer programmer. Start to think of yourself that way now. Begin gathering the knowledge and experience you will need. Surf websites and chat rooms. Join associations and networking groups. Talk to other programmers. Read books. Practice. And most importantly, build a body of work.
An oldie but goodie free lead source is the phone book. That’s right, cold calls. It is not pretty, but you will build your sales skills tremendously. You will get hung up on and maybe even sworn at. But you will learn to overcome objections and think quickly on your feet. The best part about it, as you are perfecting your skills with this technique, no one even knows who you are or what you look like. You never have to feel embarrassed or ashamed if you make a mistake. Ask to speak to the business manager or top sales producer in the company. You want to converse with the people who work hard and are looking to climb the ladder.
How does a professional speaker develop a speech? They have three basic parts that they work on in a prepared presentation: structure, content and delivery. Think about these questions before your next business to business networking event and you’ll never be at a loss for what to say (and how to say it). Here are three sets of networking groups grand junction co based on this presentation format. Next time you are wondering how to network, start with this basic set up and have answers ready to these questions.
Marketing skills are often missing among many assistants / teams. These need to be developed to ensure good business interactions, software defined networking and focus for future funding of their own companies as well as for their buyers, so that the consumers’ interests are always kept in mind and as priority with project work.
Now that you’re on a high, think about how you can help others. Not only will this take you to a level of satisfaction that you maybe have never achieved before but most importantly you will be remembered! People will start to sell you your business, without any more effort from yourself. This is one of the most simple yet effective business networking techniques you can learn.
Disclaimer here: I don’t care for these types of groups. It feels too much like the dating and bar scene. Everyone’s seems to be scrounging around for business and not interested in anything deep or meaningful. Plus there are tons of the same types of persons at these meetings so you have lots of competition and not a lot of differentiation. What happens is your services become commodity services instead of personal-it becomes about your price instead of your inherent value.
Content still reigns when it comes to gaining interest from other internet users. Train yourself to think “content” first and find unique ways to offer your content. If you’re stuck on ideas, spend time browsing other sites. Take note on what interests you the most as well as what bores you the most. Of course, I shouldn’t have to clarify which ideas you should use. You’ve got the right idea. New, fresh, interesting content is as refreshing as a freshly-baked chocolate chip cookie…”something worthy to bite into”.