| 17;m passionate about this topic and say absolutely | | | | more on being an industry expert in my article |
| “yes!” Networking is not only | | | | Maximize Your Company’s Exposure with |
| worthwhile, it is critical for any type and any size of | | | | Public Relations. |
| business. Events -- networking or not -- are the best | | | | Offer Something of Value |
| way to make connections and promote your | | | | Do not do a hard sell. Usually at events I help people |
| company as well as personal brand. Not only can you | | | | with a business or personal issue and talk about |
| find new clients, you can find new partners, suppliers | | | | resources to get someone to the next step having |
| and employees who can take your business and | | | | no expectations in return. Sometimes I have simple |
| career to the next step. | | | | suggestions like attending an event specific to their |
| Keep in mind that networking rarely yields new | | | | industry, conducting an email campaign, or changing |
| business overnight. It is a process that takes time | | | | web site content. These suggestions usually yield a |
| and requires nurturing. You may get lucky and close a | | | | request to assess other business needs. If |
| deal within a week or two. However, it is more likely | | | | I’m invited to meet again, I know I have a |
| you will start a relationship that can eventually end up | | | | high likelihood of closing the prospect. Networking is |
| with a sale and loyal customer who follows you | | | | one of the top ways for many businesses, especially |
| wherever your career may take you. Leveraging | | | | those with long sales cycles, to find and close |
| your personal brand makes this happen. | | | | customers. In most cases it is also the most cost |
| Events Are a Necessary Evil So Kick Back and Enjoy | | | | effective, but time consuming business development |
| Events can be business or socially related, so have | | | | activity. |
| fun and be yourself. Talk about the sports you like, | | | | Find Worthwhile Events in your Own Backyard |
| your family, as well as your business. The most | | | | Events are held by a variety of regional entities like |
| unlikely people can end up being your friend and | | | | your local chambers, regional development agencies, |
| customer for life, so go up and introduce yourself. | | | | cities, counties, state agencies, venture capital |
| Maybe you have golf, kids or wine in common. Invite | | | | groups, workforce agencies, and business networking |
| your contact to an upcoming golf event. When you | | | | groups such as There are also smaller local groups so |
| promote you business, you also promote your brand. | | | | ask your friends and colleagues which ones they |
| The more a contact likes your personal value, the | | | | suggest. Many are also gender and ethnicity specific. |
| easier it will be to sell the value of your business. In | | | | Your local business publications will also publish events. |
| many cases you can sell your product for a higher | | | | The more you attend the more relationships you can |
| price based on a strong personal brand. | | | | form. |
| Immediate Follow Up | | | | Networking is a Good Thing (Thank You Martha |
| Within a day or two do your follow up. It’s | | | | Stewart) |
| like dating. Don’t be too quick. Take time to | | | | It takes time to cultivate high value contacts. |
| appear interested but not too desperate. Enter | | | | You’ll find people who are well connected in |
| contact names into your contact management tool | | | | your community. Networking is the way they got |
| of choice (Microsoft Outlook, Google, iPod, or other) | | | | there. After being seen as a “regular” |
| and send a short follow up note. Remember to use | | | | at local events, you’ll be regarded as |
| content from that conversation – something | | | | “someone in the know”. Then your |
| about his (her) children, home, and hobbies as well as | | | | personal brand is extended, and you’ll get |
| business activities. Your brand encompasses all these | | | | more contacts. A good way to keep your brand in |
| things that will enable someone to relate to you. | | | | front of others is by attending a variety of events, |
| LinkedIn is a great way to stay in touch. You can | | | | being honest and being yourself. Keep contacts |
| create a LinkedIn Group or Facebook Business page | | | | updated on your business and personal activities, and |
| to keep your contacts updated on company news. | | | | be sure to be helpful to others. As they say |
| Industry news is even better showing you have | | | | “what goes around, comes around. |
| insight on more that just your specific company. See | | | | |