Top 10 Rules of Networking

My Top 10 Rules of  Networking

Gone are the days of salesmen thumbing through the phone book or knocking on doors for prospects.  The age of networking is here. 

Networking according to Webster:

The exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically : the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.

Networking is absolutely exploding.  We network (or we should network) at every function and event, from actual local business networking lunches to backyard barbecues to the person you sit by on a plane.   And don’t think that you are being all selfish and businessy for doing this.  Networking is not always just for you it helps you help others.  Every stranger presents an opportunity for you or someone you know. 

Not that I am an expert or anything but over the last few years I have learned a little.  I have learned some things about this from experience but also from reading articles and books including a book called “Never Eat Alone” and I would like to share with you what I  have learned….so far

Some may seem basic but you would be surprised how many people neglect the basics.   

These are my top 10 rules of Networking

1.  Go in looking the best you can look and mustering up all the perkiness you possibly can.  No one is drawn or attracted to a fuddy duddy.    The goal here is for people to be attracted to you.  Be positive.  Be memorable.
2. Act like the host instead of a guest.  A guest wants to be introduced.  A host introduces himself and introduces people to each other.  Be friendly.
3. Meet and talk to as many people as you possibly can without being obvious or rude.  
4. Don’t do business, even at networking events.  You may feel like that’s what you are there for but you really are better off if you just get to know people.
5. Ask questions.  People love to talk about themselves.  The rule is never answer more than two questions about yourself without asking a question about them. 
6. Listen.  Listen to what people are saying to you and be interested…sincerely interested.  This may be hard sometimes but give it your best shot.
7. Make notes as soon as you are alone.  Everyone will run together and you won’t remember two days later who was who.
8. Start an excel spreadsheet or some method of recording every person you meet, the contact info and notes about them.  The book “Swim With The Sharks” had some great info about the benefits of this (oddly enough I lost my copy of this book in the 1997 flood LOL). 
9. Follow up.  This is where the real business begins.  You have their contact info, so at the end of the day send them an email.  Drop them a card in the mail  or give them a call and set up a time to meet for coffee to hear about what they do and how you could benefit each other.  You may find that you need them more than they need you.  You may also find that you mutually don’t need each other but that you can refer them to someone they might do business with and this goes a long way.  Do favors and be nice.
10. Stay in touch.  Don’t think that because the date for coffee ended without them buying from you or you buying from them that it is over.  I have seen times when years later the opportunity comes back around for a business relationship.   Don’t lose that contact info.

If you are in the Louisville area join us Monday morning at Southeast Christian at 10am to talk about blogging and affiliate marketing:  http://www.meetup.com/Blogger-Afflilates-and-Internet-Marketers/