Small businesses don’t have the capital to devote to entire payroll departments, legal departments, etc. Outsource to independent contractors whenever possible. In the long run it is cheaper and is definitely a smart business decision.
A key step to overcoming shyness is preparation and practice. Write down in advance some questions you think will stimulate and sustain a conversation. If you find yourself somewhat nervous when meeting someone new, try practicing what you are going to say with another person or even to yourself in the mirror. Then practice in an environment where you won’t feel intimidated. Role-play with someone you feel comfortable with. This way, when you feel unsure of yourself, you will still have an idea of what you want to say and how you are going to say it. You may even want to write out some questions on 3×5 cards and read them before you attend the meeting or event.
Do you need to know what you are doing? No. If that were true, most businesses would never get off the ground. There is tremendous support both from other businesses to government sponsored development corporations to point you in the right direction. Many small business networking groups generate workshops on management topics, not to mention the glut of information on the internet. Line up a group of trusted advisors and take their advice.
A monthly newsletter is a great way to offer content. Be sure to include your newsletter sign up on each page. Entice them with all the goodies they will get or software defined networking information they will learn from your newsletter. Tempt them even more by offering a free ebook, report or ecourse.
Set a goal to connect on a deeper level with a minimum of five people but don’t give out your business card. Let them know you are interested in meeting them by saying something like, “I am a financial adviser, (or attorney, etc.). I specialize in helping people (or your market niche like dentists, doctors, business owners, etc.) have more money and enjoy more free time. But I’m much more interested in learning about you.” Obviously you need to know your market niche and establish an area of specialization before you can deliver this message effectively.
In reality there are a few things you must understand and the rest is based on your personality and your native comfort level, and your ability to sift through the opportunities for the good matches and recognize where you’re wasting your time.
Prior to attending a networking event, decide what reward you are going to give yourself for speaking/introducing yourself to at least three to five people and for staying longer than you plan. And be sure you withhold the reward if you do not meet your goal.
If your feet hurt or the food sucks, keep your comments to yourself. Nobody networking tips music industry likes a whiner. If everyone else complains about the food though, go ahead and join in, you don’t want people to think you’re starving!
Keep in mind, when someone gives you a lead, that someone is most likely giving your potential customer feed back. So that potential customer will have your name, and know when the lead was given to you.
Write down your ideas. This helps you organize your thoughts. Make a list of them on a notepad or notebook. For me, it is simply a Word document titled “Ideas” on my computer and I would add to them as the ideas come to me. Leave big spaces between them so you can keep expanding on them in the days and weeks ahead.