Wednesday, August 21, 2013
You’ve
joined several Facebook and LinkedIn groups, you are following hundreds of
people on twitter, and your inbox is full of invitations to networking events, so
why isn’t your phone ringing?
The key to successful networking and business building is connecting
with the right people. It is not so much about the quantity as it is about the
quality that makes the difference. As a budding business owner you should know
who you are trying to talk to, who do you need to get in front of in order to
get your package in the correct hands?
If you are new to business or if your business has been open for some
time yet you are not making quality connections, you may need to rethink how
you are spending your time and resources.
When networking for business you should have a goal. Setting
a goal, allows you to develop your strategy. Once you have a goal and strategy,
you can then implement a plan. Before you conduct any networking make sure the
activity lines up with your plan. Ask yourself does it make sense for you to
spend your energy on that particular form of networking.
If you are promoting women’s workout gear, a room full of
men is most likely not your target audience.
The same thought process applies to networking both on and offline. Your
audience may not be on Facebook, blogging could be a better way to reach your
crowd. Review the results from your networking efforts; have you made any
legitimate business relationships? If you answered no, it’s time to change your
platform.
8 steps to taking an active role in your networking:
1. Know who you are trying to reach
2. Be strategic with your networking efforts
3. Set a goal
4. Develop a plan to reach the right people
5. Implement the plan
6. Make connections with the right people
7. Cultivate relationships
8. Grow your business
