Top Tips for Successful Networking

Networking is the most effective way to grow your business and there are now a variety of opportunities available for you to meet new people.

The key thing to remember about networking is that it is all about building relationships so you will benefit from attending events regularly to get to know people as well as for them to get to know you.

To get the best results from your networking activities, I recommend you follow these 6 top tips.

1.  Know what you want to achieve from each event
Do you want to meet new customers, suppliers, potential referral partners, strategic alliance partners or support from like minded people?

Take a few minutes before attending any event to ask what you want to take away from that event so you are focused on the right result.

2.  Participate in different types of events available regularly
There are 3 main types of events you can attend and it is best to go to at least one event from each type.

Structured: membership based groups who have 1 person per category and opportunity to present your business for one minute at each meeting (The Athena Network, BNI, BRX etc).

Open Networking: open to anyone to attend and you are left to yourself to mingle and talk to others (Circle Events, Chamber, business club etc).

Online Networking: can network at time to suit you but is often overlooked (Ecademy, Twitter, Facebook etc).

3.  Have a contacts database
Once you attend networking events, you are going to collect a lot of business cards so you need to do something with them…and not put them on a shelf or in a drawer to gather dust!

Have a simple database that is easy and quick to maintain so you can input all the relevant information for use when following up or mail shots.

4.  No point attending events if you don’t follow up
This is such an important point that I will say it again… there is no point attending any event if you don’t follow up!

Diary time to follow up with contacts after each event so you don’t forget.  Call or email them within 24 hours to reintroduce yourself and mention anything that you agreed or discussed.

It is also really important that you do whatever you say you will do…send information pack, details of event, contact details of someone they should contact etc.
 
5.  1 – 1 meetings are key to successful networking
Meeting people outside of the events is vital as you really get to know each other and it ensures the best results.  It shouldn’t be anything formal, just arrange to meet up for coffee and don’t do any selling, it is a getting to know you chat!

6.  Be yourself and have fun!
If you are nervous about networking, remember that everyone is in the room for the same reason so approach people and talk to them.  Look for people on their own or go to get yourself a drink as you will meet others who have the same idea.

But most importantly, relax and don’t pretend to be anyone other than yourself!

For more information about networking, have a look at our Networking for Virtual Assistants Online Course at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-online-courses/networking-for-virtual-assistants/