Buckle Up Networking Formula

Buckle Up Networking Formula

The value of networking cannot be underestimated. Networking is essential in the promotion of business success. There are four essential components to successful networking (meet, connect, click, and follow-up). Following these four steps will make your future networking encounters more effective and rewarding.

Growing up, I recall a catchy TV commercial jingle which promoted travel safety by buckling your seatbelt. The words went, “Buckle up for safety. Buckle up. Buckle up for safety. Always buckle up…” As the seatbelt is important to the safety of the driver or passenger, networking is important to the advancement and continued success of your business.

Networking events are commonplace today as business owners gather in promotion of their businesses. These social gatherings can be used to build customer contacts, generate new business, and introduce your company to an expanded network. Finding a local or national networking event is not a hard task at all. Upcoming networking events can be found by numerous means including use of your favorite search engine, local newspapers, TV, radio, message boards, social media, and word-of- mouth.

Networking works; however, you must “work it” to make it work for you. Just passing out business cards without being prepared to share who you are, what you do, or what you want will not yield a strong return on your investment of time. It is imperative that you be prepared to engage verbally. Seek to make a lasting impression which will benefit you.

Human nature goes immediately into action when we participate in networking events. Our minds and eyes search the room for familiarity. Is there anyone here that I know? Even if there is, be careful not to sabotage your networking opportunity by spending too much time conversing with someone you already know. If you do, more than likely, you will leave the event on “empty” as you wonder why you decided to participate in the first place.

Make a quality decision to maximize every networking opportunity you engage in. Make it worth your time, your effort, and your resources.

Upon arrival to the event, stop by the ladies’ or men’s room to check your appearance. To assist your new contacts in remembering your name, wear your name tag or badge. This adds a professional touch. Your name badge, featuring your logo, can make networking easier for you as others approach you to find out what type of business you are representing. Be ready!

For a successful networking encounter, implement these steps:

Meet –Scan the room. Take a confident deep breath and move forward. Smile and display a warm and friendly demeanor. Extend your hand as you introduce yourself and your business. Maintain eye contact and genuinely listen as our fellow business owner shares with you. Leave a positive lasting impression as you exchange business cards. You may want to add a note on the back of the card listing where or how the two of you met. Buckle up!

Connect – Connections are made as a result of commonality (i.e. both parties are in the health care industry). Connections are also made when a need can be fulfilled. Let’s say you have started your business and you have a website; however, you have no knowledge on how QuickBooks work. While working the room, you meet a business owner who is an accountant which works with QuickBooks every day. There’s your connection. Seize the moment as you share your need. Buckle up!

Click – As you network, there will be some people who you will just naturally click with. Commonalities result in successfully clicking. Maybe you both have like personalities. An instant business relationship develops when both parties click. Buckle-up!

Follow-up – This is an imperative step. Once you have successfully worked the networking room meeting, connecting, and clicking, you must follow-up with your new contacts. Do so within 48 -72 hours for the greatest impact.  Make a phone call to your new contacts. Sending an email is an appropriate means of following-up as well. Send “Connection” and “Friend” invites via social media, such as Face Book, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Buckle-up!

            Following these four essential components to networking will assist you in successfully promoting your business. Just as the seatbelt is important to the safety of a driver or passenger, networking is important to the advancement and continued success of your business. Buckle up!
           Here's to your success! Make your networking experiences count. For further assistance, please contact us at:
J Dianne Tribble
Email: coaching@atthetableinc.com
Web address: http://www.atthetableinc.com