For many years, networking “experts” have proclaimed; you have to be on social media to be successful in business or for your next job search. Many small businesses and job seekers have followed their advice and constantly updated on all of their social networking sites, at the recommended times during the day, as recommended by the “experts”; what has happened?
Many boast about the large numbers of followers they have on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and other social networking sites; but has any of that social networking turned into profit for the business or a solid job prospect? Small businesses and job seekers often rely on software to assist them with social networking, to stay in constant contact with their database. It’s often a daily deluge of drip campaigns, blogs and dry emails reminding everyone, who is in their social network, how important they are to their business or why they should be hired. The big surprise comes when one of your followers buys a product or service from a competitor or you just got news of someone on your social network, who is less qualified than you, was hired for a position you had sent a resume to and now you can’t figure out why they didn’t contact you. You “liked” what they posted on their social networks, you made comments on their sites and yet they went with your competitor or hired someone less qualified than you; why?
You immediately look at the competitor’s web site and social presence to determine why your contact went with them. You convince yourself, your multiple websites are more professional than theirs and your pricing is far superior to your competitor or you were more qualified for the position; so why did your follower go to them?
For many years, many of us have gotten away from the personal aspect of business. It all started with; sly-dialing to leave a voice message, a fax, an email or a text, hoping you wouldn’t have to actually talk to a real person. We walk through our community and pass by people, never saying a word to any of them and many of you wouldn’t recognize many of your social media followers, if you passed them in the isles while grocery shopping. This impersonal lifestyle, many of us lead, is the result of our social networking failure.
The newest rave, spanning across nations, is the old adage of personal networking. I have attended many of these events and chuckle to myself as I watch many people stumble over themselves trying to network, which more than often turns into a social hour of people talking with people they already know or are in the same line of business.
Networking the Right Way starts out with your appearance, a message and a goal. It’s all about developing relationships, gaining the confidence of people within your community and spanning out from there. Learning the skill of networking takes time and effort, you will gain lasting results and build confidence in yourself and develop a strong business reputation. Here is some advice I offer to those in business or those seeking employment;
10 Tips for Successful Business Networking
1. Networking is about being genuine.
2. What are your goals with participating in a network meeting?
3. Visit as many Networking Groups in your area.
4. Volunteer or hold leadership positions in your community.
5. Ask open-ended questions when networking.
6. Become known as a powerful resource.
7. Have a clear statement of what you do, why you do it, for whom and why you love what you do.
8. Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may assist you.
9. Follow up quickly on each referral and business card you receive.
10. Call those you meet, who may benefit from your services, and follow through on collaborating with those you can assist.
10 Networking Tips using business cards/business positions
1. Never leave home without your business cards.
2. Have a Unique Sales Proposition on your business card.
3. Treat the business cards with respect when you receive them.
4. When handing out business cards, hand out two.
5. Keep your business cards simple, don’t boast yourself on your card.
6. Make notes on the business cards you receive.
7. Be part of the networking committee, volunteer to be a greeter.
8. Follow up face to face after a networking event, personally.
9. Get published, write letters or business notices in the newspaper.
10. Branding yourself.
Common Questions/Comments to make while networking
1. Tell about you’re your business?
2. What’s the most unique aspects of your business?
3. What type of client is least profitable?
4. What’s your biggest business challenge right now?
5. What is the best thing that happened to your business this year?
6. What is your biggest wish for next year?
7. Do you have employees? What is the most difficult thing you have to deal with?
8. What’s your biggest personal accomplishment so far?
9. What’s your biggest personal accomplishment in your career?
10. If I were to refer a client to you; what would be your ideal client?
11. When is the most convenient time to stop by your business so you can tell me more about what you do?
12. What can you tell me about yourself?
Common Mistakes to Avoid when Networking
1. Speak without enthusiasm. Lack of voice inflection when introducing yourself and emphasizing your credentials.
2. Failure to express opinions or interest.
3. Stuck in a routine and act bored.
4. Looking around hoping other people will rescue you.
5. Narrow focus of personal interaction.
6. While speaking to people, looking around to see someone else.
7. Crowd the food table or bar, (overeat and getting drunk).
8. Politics, religion, off color jokes and gawking.
9. Negative comments, (boss, elected officials, your business)
10. Bragging about your accomplishments or how great you are.
11. Hanging with the same people the entire event.
12. Ignoring people who are trying to engage with you.
13. Trying to engage in conversation while others are deeply engaged in conversation.
14. Don’t be a cling-on.
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