Are you ready to build your business and hear how effective Networking Events are and can be? However, like everything else in life there are some good ways and better ways to build your professional network.
Below are 7 of the best ways to get the most out of your event.
Know Who You Want To Meet
There are three types of people you want to meet at networking events:
1) potential clients; 2) potential Centers of Influence; and 3) people who represent interesting products and services you might be able to refer to your clients.
When deciding to go, make sure at least one of these categories is represented among the event’s attendees.
Networking Is A Process
Although you can often turn a single networking event into a successful experience, you usually get the most out a group when you attend several meetings, you get active with the members, and you begin to create a reputation for yourself. Networking is not a one-time event, it’s a process.
Go To Give, Not To Take
One of the best things you can say to someone at an event (if they are in sales or own a small business), “If I ran into someone who was a good prospect for your business, how would I know it? Tell me who a good prospect for you is.” After you learn about them, you can talk to them about what you do, and how you help people.
Have A Goal For Each Event
It’s great to maintain and grow relationships with people whom you already know, but if you don’t stretch a little each time, your result will probably diminish over time. Your goal may be to meet a specific person. Having this as a goal might keep you from wimping out.
Act Like The Host, Not The Guest
When you act like the host at a business event, you’ll feel freer to meet strangers. One great way to meet new people is to work the registration table for 30-45 minutes. By welcoming people to the event, you’ll feel much more comfortable going up to them later.
Write Notes
Certainly you got their business card… Write notes so to assist with you when you reach out to them. Remember to develop the relationship before trying to sell something.
Follow Up After The Event
Not tomorrow, but maybe in the next week or so. People want to business with people that they can trust. If you said that you would like to get together with them, make it happen. Otherwise you will be the guy or gal that didn’t make it happen.
Don’t Be A Product Pusher
Nobody likes that guy or gal who attends events to push products on to people. Everyone is there for the same reason, to connect and to develop strategic relationships, which is what I Got A Lead For You is at it’s core.
If what you have just read makes sense, then you just might be a 5 Star Recruit that would fit perfectly with one of our professional lead teams. There are now three IGAL Teams in the state of South Carolina. Greenville – Spartanburg and Columbia which is launching April 20th.
If you would like more information or an invitation to one of the Spring Training Events please reach out to us here.