Effective Networking

Networking is an essential ingredient to running your own business.

Developing and maintaining relationships with people can impact directly or indirectly the operation of your business. Here are some top tips on how to get the best of your networking.

• Prepare your networking - Decide what you need to get out of networking. Identify events that will have a benefit to you and try to obtain the delegate list so you can plan who you wish to meet.
• Be prepared to self yourself and your business - ensure you have a great answer to ’... and what do you do?'.
• Proactively TALK to people Make an effort to engage in a conversation and ask questions.
• Listen to what people have to say - pick up leads from the conversation.
• Put people in touch with one another.
• Learn names fast!
• Keep yourself informed - reading trade press and current affairs ,Send people articles of interest - even if they are not yet your client.
• Staying in touch is vital, follow up with an email and keep contact.

Here’s 5 great questions to ask at networking events:

1. What prompted you to come here? - Opens the conversation and encourages a relaxed, friendly discussion.
2. Why is that important? - Gives clues as to priorities and concerns.
3. What is going well for you this year? - Focusing on the positive encourages openness and helps build rapport.
4. What difference is that making? -Starts to delve deeper and reveal where they want to be.
5. Who else do you know that I should be talking to? This is the best time to ask whether they can refer you to someone else.