A Strategic Approach to Networking

So many business people attend networking events with the desire to get new business which, almost 100% of the time, leads to networking letdown.

 

Here are a couple of suggestions to help eliminate networking letdown (which I am on a personal mission to do).

1. Before your next networking event, decide who you want to meet. Are there gaps in your network? Do you need a good lawyer or accountant? Are there gaps in your contacts’ networks? Do you they need a landscaper or a personal chef? Imagine if you were able to refer them? You’d be a hero.

2. Design your introduction. Introductions are key to ensuring that conversations happen. It’s inevitable that you’ll be asked, “What do you do”? Be ready with a well thought-out, memorable (in a good way) response.

3. When you meet someone you like – stay connected. Ask to connect with him/her online. And even book a next meeting if you’d like to continue the conversation.

Every networking event gives us an opportunity to meet people with whom we can build a mutually beneficial relationship. With a bit of planning, we can create a profitable network to benefit ourselves and our contacts.