Rhonda
Sher's Two Minute Networker™ articles on business networking
are available for your use to read or for your publication. We only
ask that the byline, tagline and URL are used, and that a copy,
once published, is sent to: The Two Minute Networker™, 40575 California Oaks, #D2, Murrieta, CA 92562.
©
Copyright 2004 by Rhonda L. Sher. All Rights Reserved.
Be
Consistent and Have a “30 second” commercial or elevator
speech
When you can tell others what you do in 30-45 seconds in
a way that captures their attention, lets them know whom
you do business with and how it helps others and leaves
them wanting to know more, you have made an impression.
Be memorable in a way that is a genuine reflection of
you. Practice your commercial until it is committed to
memory.
Stay in front of your clients and customers.
Maintain a database of your customers and clients and
keep in touch with them. Send emails, articles of
interest, postcards, or a holiday greeting. As a rule of
thumb, keep in touch with your past customers no less
than three times a year. Use promotional products such
as calendars, pens, or mugs to stay in front of your
customers.
Ask
for Referrals – If you don’t ask, you won’t receive
Be sure to let your clients and customers know that your
really appreciate their business and are building your
business by referral. If they are happy with your
services or product, ask them if they of others who
might be able to use you or your services. When they
give you a referral (and you might leave a form with
them self addressed), send them a hand written than you
along with a small gift such as a gift certificate to
Starbucks. Ask your customers if there is some way you
can help them build their business as well.
Testimonials – A third party compliment is the best kind
These are a great way to promote yourself in your
brochure, website or by having a third party who is
working with your target market endorse you. All you
need to do is ask for them. Most people are happy to
give you a testimonial if they like your service or
product.
Become a Volunteer
Join groups and get on committees. Volunteer your time
and get to know people. Finding out about you and your
business is a natural outcome to giving of yourself.
Join a Chamber of Commerce
Join a local Chamber of Commerce and attend mixers,
networking events and volunteer on committees. Meet new
members, be a resource for others and get known in your
community. People will seek you out as you continue to
welcome and seek them out.
Exhibit and Attend Trade Shows
Trade shows are a great way to meet a lot of potential
new customers at once — and for them to meet you. Keep
your name in front of customers and give away
promotional items to keep your name in front of
customers and clients. Develop strategic alliances with
others who are vendors and share leads.
Under Commit and Over Perform
Do more than you promise. Deliver your product or
service earlier than promised and do exceptional work.
You will be rewarded in more ways than you ever
imagined.
Let
Others Help You
The truth is that most people don’t know what they need.
A networking truth is If you don’t ask, the answer is
always “no”. There was once a cartoon that said what we
lack in know how we make up for in “know who” Networking
is simply allowing ourselves to be a resource for others
and allowing others to be a resource for us. It is
really about relationships and connections with the
people we meet.
A few
final thoughts
 Always
thank others for helping you with a personal note and/or a small
gift. A thank you goes a long way.
Be
genuine. Pay others compliments and be present.
Keep
in touch on a regular basis. Use the phone or snail mail more often
than email. It is too easy to delete.
Share
and be generous. Give of your time, support those who may need some
help and be spontaneous in picking up a tab or giving a small gift.
Pay attention
to how you make others feel. A wise person said, we don’t
often remember what people do or say, but we remember how they made
us feel.
Keep
your presence in front. Show up at events often, smile and be friendly.
Become known in your community.
Practice
random acts of kindness. You never know where you will meet someone
or when something nice might happen to you.
Praise
others both in their presence and their absence. Good word spreads
fast and bad words spread faster. Only say good things and be genuine.
Make sure you do what you say and say what you do. In other words,
follow-up consistently.
Practice
an attitude of gratitude and smile and be friendly.
Have
fun!!!
Smile
and smile and remember to smile.
©
Copyright 2004 by Rhonda L. Sher. All Rights Reserved.
Things To Look For When Choosing A
Networking Group
by
Rhonda L. Sher
This is a decision
that takes more than 2 minutes. It is an investment of your time
and energy so take time to investigate the group and make sure it
is the right fit for you.
So what should
you look for? For starters, look for groups that have people with
a positive attitude and want to be there on a regular basis. If
members do not attend on a regular basis, they are probably not
serious about networking.
Look at the professions of the other members. Are there people who
are targeting the same market as you and can be great strategic
partners?
How often does the group meet? Some groups meet weekly, others bi-weekly
and some just once a month. What time commitment are you willing
to make and how often do you want to participate?
How are referrals passed in the group?
Is there a criterion for a required number of leads?
Are you required to bring guests on a regular basis?
How long as the group been in existence?
Is the group part of a larger organization where you can visit other
groups?
Does the group encourage outside meetings of its members to grow
relationships?
Is the group part of a structured organization with bylaws, dues
etc?
What time does the group meet? Usually they meet for breakfast,
lunch or dinners.
Is the meeting place convenient?
What are the annual dues and monthly charges?
How long is the commitment you must make to the group?
Does the group have outside speakers?
What organizations does the networking group have affiliations with?
How is information sent out to members?
Are the members of the group professionals who work in their business
full time?
Is more than one member of a profession allowed in the group?
Do members of the group provide feedback to one another?
Are members allowed to participate in more than one networking group?
Some groups do not allow members to belong to more than one group
other than a chamber of commerce.
Is there a mentor program in the group? Is this something you want?
Now that you
know what to look for in a networking group, take a look at what
you want to gain from joining a group and see what is important
to you. Be honest about the time and financial commitment that you
are willing to make and follow through.
Remember that
networking groups can lead to friendships, referrals and great relationships.
Like anything, you get out of them what you put into them. It is
a bank that continues to grow interest but you have to make the
deposits.
The 2 Minute
Networker knows the value of belonging to a networking group and
many have built many successful referral businesses from belonging
to such groups. You not only meet the members of the group but you
have the opportunity to meet all of the people that the people in
your group associate it. The six degrees of separation discussed
before comes into play in a way you might never have imagined.
So, investigate,
visit and then join. Referrals and relationships await you.
©
Copyright 2004 by Rhonda L. Sher. All Rights Reserved.
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