A lot of people ask how do you make networking actually work, what do you do to get anything out of it and how do you get any business?

Well fundamentally I believe good sales is about building relationships, I know it’s a cliché but people buy people and networking is a great way to meet new people and catch up with ones you have met previously.  A lot of people regard as a chore or even just a free lunch, I personally look on it as a challenge, a way to make those new contacts and farm the ones who know who you are and know what you do.

1. Make sure you have all your networking tools with you, business cards, flyers, free pens etc basically anything that can promote your business and allow people to recall you when you have gone.
2. I always like to set a target of how many people i want to meet.
3. If you want to be empowered then act like the host not just a guest.
4. Listen to what people say, you may learn something!
5. Don’t be afraid to give a lead or referral.
6. Practice before hand your product or service so you are able to give it in just 60 seconds.
7. Don’t forget to swap cards with all the people you meet.
8. Try to spend a maximum of 8 minutes with everyone (interesting) you meet.
9. I always write comments on the cards I collect, or fold over a corner of ones you want to follow up on.
10. ALWAYS follow up on the people you have met whether they were good or bad leads, i use an email marketing system for everyone and then a telephone for the good ones.

If you follow this system you will get better results from your networking and enjoy it, don’t forget you will get knockbacks and it takes time to build relationships so ENJOY IT.

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