DISQUS

Derek Armson · 10 months ago

Thanks susan, i agree with you, you have to put the hard work in to networking to see results.

Too many "opportunists" skim over the hard work and wonder why they get knowwhere!

relationships in business online are as important as off line, just because there isn't that "face to face" reality online people tend to have an element of "cyber rudeness!"

Thanks Again Susan

derek
Internet Marketing At APD

Outsourcing Copenhagen · 10 months ago

Great post! thanks for sharing.

Cynthia · 10 months ago

Susan, great post. A lot of people are so engrossed in trying sell, sell, sell, that they forget the power of relationships. By focusing on the relationship first, people not only can increase the potential for strong, sustainable business but will also learn how to better serve their clients. Knowing more about your client, in all aspects, builds loyalty and promotes referrals.

Thanks for this post!

Alan Underkofler · 10 months ago

Susan, great post and thoughts on networking! When I go to a networking event I prefer to meet 3 or 4 great people, have a good conversation, and then follow up to learn more about them and their company. It's really all about what I can do for them, how I can help them, who can I connect them to, and the greatest is can I give them a referral!

Many times I do not receive a sale or referral from this new contact right away but over time as the relationship grows I do. By focusing on them and what I can do for them I receive so much more!

Mike Seddon · 10 months ago

Great post Susan. It's alomst like you jumped into my mind and typed what I was thinking.

I've usually been very successful with networking and Ithink it's because I genuinely enjoy talking with other people about their businesses.

Being in business can be lonely so I found these networking events a great emotional boost and therefore I really rarely try to sell.

Networking is about sharing, helping and communicating.

Business that flows from those natural interactions is a bonus (and usually a big one!)

Thanks again

Mike

Janet Barclay · 10 months ago

These are really excellent points. Too many people view a networking event as a chance to run around and hand out business cards or flyers to random people, then wonder why they don't get results.

I try to follow the steps you've outlined here, but I don't always think to send a helpful link as you've suggested. That's a great idea, which will really increase the chance of that person remembering you - thanks!

Jared Young · 10 months ago

Great article. I think the common thread here can be summed up in one word: relationship. If you want to network effectively, you need top put the same energy into those relationships as you would any other relationship.

Elizabeth · 9 months ago

Susan, excellent points all around. We just started our business and often feel as though we don't have a lot to give other people in the way of referrals (re point #3). We've started sharing our forms, though, which other attorneys have found helpful for their own marketing.

I wholeheartedly agree with building the referral relationship over time. I try to stay in touch with thank you notes, follow-up phone calls, etc.

Thanks for the reminders and ideas.

Janet Barclay · 9 months ago

Elizabeth, when I started my business, I also felt that I wasn't able to give referrals, but we all know 200+ people - they don't have to be clients or colleagues; just someone who needs something.

Roberta Hill · 9 months ago

Great timing for some great reminders about what networking really is about. I am just in the process of finishing an article for my in person Networking Group - Geneva Women in International Trade - on "Why I Hate Networking".

I have to add that your three rules for effective networking – the old fashioned way are just as valid and necessary for "not in person" networking as in the social networks. Otherwise it is NOT networking.

GoEverywhere Team · 9 months ago

I don't think that networking online is enough. I access so many social networks from my webtop daily and have fun doing it. But, there is something about that face to face meeting that really makes a difference. By networking online, you form your own opinion about a person. I have found out that my "formed opinion" was completely off after I met them in person.

I love your rules and need to remind myself of them frequently!

Vic- Business Accent · 9 months ago

I agree. Socializing is a commitment. We should not just become a member there to scattered our marketing stuff. It's a place for real socializing and making significant relationships.

Yvonne A Jones · 9 months ago

Susan, I applaud every word you've written! The importance of building relationships is very near and dear to my heart and it really puzzles me when I hear people say that they don't attend networking events because it's a waste of time! What is their goal? Is it to establish contacts with the goal of developing lasting relationships or just to hand out a stack of their cards in exchange for a stack of everyone's card?

They are usually disappointed when they e-mail or call persons they have cards for that do not respond. But they miss the point that they did not take the time to develop a relationship with even one person. It's called "building" or "developing" - it takes time! Thank you for a great article.

Jared O'Toole · 9 months ago

I agree that effective networking still needs to take place the old fashioned way. But I think all these new online tools allow that to happen more frequently

I can go to a conference and know 10-20 people that I started talking with on twitter or something and then can meet them.

Greg Paskill · 9 months ago

Networking is unfortunately oversold as a means to land jobs. You had incredible insight when you pointed out to not expect instant gratification from it.

I myself have never networked to get a job. I really love cold calling people. I do like developing that relationship component that other commenters spoke about. Nevertheless, I've never liked this idea that in order to get a job, I have to wait for somebody else to introduce me. If employers want self-starter, self-motivated types, why delay with a middleman? Why not go direct and show them WHAT I know, not WHO?

In every position I've landed, I've demonstrated to my employer that you are first dealing with me because of my competence. You're not doing business with me because of special favors to anybody. If you make a decision to go along with me, it's because you as a self-thinking individual reached those productive conclusions, not because you needed someone else to make your decision for you. Delegation is one thing, overrelying on a network instead of yourself is another.

Andrew Brinkworth · 9 months ago

I agree that the heart of any network must be real relationships. I look at Social Networks as a way to get to know people before taking the relationships to the next level. Kind of like Speed dating. You get to know enough to find out if getting to know them better is worth it.
Andrew Brinkworth
florida marketing
from Andrian

Steve · 9 months ago

I think people do lose track of the giving mentality. That is the key to growing relationships. When ever i meet someone i really think hard how can impact there lives. Love the article

Linda Elland · 9 months ago

Great article! Bottom line ... don't SELL at a networking event. Build relationships with people. Have your elevator speech ready ONLY if they ask about you. A successful networking event is one where you really get to know some people. Listen intently and make a couple of mental notes. Find their needs, make a friend. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Thank you for reminding us about the Rules!

Yvonne A Jones · 9 months ago

I absolutely agree with the contents of the post and because I attend several networking events I often see people racing around promoting what they do without waiting to be asked. The point about not expecting instant gratification is well taken because here again people attribute not receiving immediate business to a networking failure rather than a failure on their part to GIVE first. The receiving will come once relationships are developed. Thanks for the reminders.

Elling Hamso · 9 months ago

My friend Patric Delaney says: Be interested, not interesting, your wisdom in a nutshell I think. I also recommend Daniel Goleman's latest book 'Social Intelligence' which explains the neurology of face to face interaction. I could never understand the statement that the words we speak are only 20% of our communication, the rest is body language, now I understand. But the most fascinating potential is combining the two, meeting face to face your virtual friends.

Malcom · 8 months ago

I agree with you alot of sites try to out do each other, and run each other out of bussiness. If you really want a social networking site that does not care about that you should join http://FriendsList.tk