It can be enjoyable work, but work nonetheless - you have to be intentional and clear on what you are going to accomplish each and every time you walk into a networking situation. Don't drive miles and pay your admission fees just to sample out the finger food and stand for 30 -45 mins with the couple folks at the event that you already know. Do:
- speak to as many different people as possible
- try not to be more than 5 minutes with a single person
- set a target number of cards collected and remain until you have it
- try to find out about people's interests and goals, so you can add value when you go to follow up
- follow up contacts within 48 hours
There are many formal networking groups to join like BNI, and obviously several one-off events if you're looking to get your networking arm of your marketing platform in gear.
1 comment:
Jarrod, great post...networking is work and it is not a place to hand out your business cards at will either. During our Calgary Business Professionals business events (Business Networking Calgary Website) we see this crucial networking mistake frequently. It is great to mingle and meet people and then figure out how you work together. Networking is work, hard work...it takes follow through and commitment. Most people struggle at networking.
Cheers
Stuart Crawford
ULISTIC Inc
Calgary Internet Marketing Professionals
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