That’s because you aren’t getting anything from the relationship. You know, the phone rings or the email comes across and you sigh and roll your eyes.
Sometimes it’s a deal or an introduction to someone else who will be a key player in the success of your business.īut sometimes it is about you! We all know people in our lives that become leaches. So ask yourself, “What can I do to help this person be more successful?” Listen to their needs and offer to be of service whenever possible. It’s not always about you! I always tell people to first look to help others, then yourself. Have a list of questions ready and memorized. It’s always helpful to move the conversation along with some questions that will show you have a genuine interest in the other person. Remember they might be just as uncomfortable as you are or even more so. Ask open-ended questions to get them talking.
Now, don’t forget to find out about the person you are networking with. Are you looking for a deal, funding, or power team members? Be able to convey that message in a clear, concise way. Think about what you want to say so you can have a more targeted conversation with people. Often called an elevator speech, this is how you would describe your investing focus in the time it would take to ride an elevator. Know yourself and get to know the other person! Before a networking event spend some time thinking about what you want to tell people about what you do. I know it might be scary, but remember we don’t grow and build character if we are comfortable.
When your instructors give you group exercises, use that as an opportunity to make more contacts by going a different direction than your partner. If you split up, you can meet twice as many people.
While I understand you decided to take the classes and perhaps even build your business together, you’re not utilizing your time to its full potential. Get out of your comfort zone! People often have a tendency to stick with their partners at any kind of networking event, including a Symposium. They are not expensive and you will look more professional. Make sure that you get contact info from everyone that you meet.Īs a side note, you can get business cards printed, on the spot, from Office Depot. That’s for when you ask for someone’s card and they say, “I don’t have any.” Think what a super networker you’ll be when you are prepared to write down their contact information on something other than your lunch receipt that you disposed your gum in. Also, get one of those little detective size notepads for your purse or pocket. I can’t tell you how often I hear, “Oh I just ran out!” Figure at any one Symposium there will be around two to four hundred people, so bring enough for at least a quarter of the attendees. Not to worry, many other people at a Symposium are too or they were in your shoes not so long ago! My point is you should have something with your contact information on it because as you talk to other people attending a Symposium they will inevitably ask for your business card. Who cares if you don’t have a business entity, the perfect logo, or a website? You might just be getting started. Perhaps we should call it a contact card, so as not to make it so scary. Have your business cards ready! People are so intimidated by the idea of a business card. As you are getting ready to come to this or any other Symposium or networking event keep a few of the following things in mind: It reminds me of how valuable your networking time actually is. Usually, about October I do one of my last live events and then I won’t see anyone until the following February. This time of year is always bittersweet for me. GermainĪs I prepare to leave for the Symposium in Reno, NV this weekend I was thinking about how this is one of our last Symposiums of the year. Hi Everyone!! Maite here, with a very important message from Alecia St.