Networking Tips

A REFERRAL is an introduction that has been made between you, the referrer, and both the party who is needing the service/product and the party who is seeking their business.

An example of a LEAD is when you know of someone in the company or industry of which the person is requesting an introduction, yet you have not taken the next step of making sure that your contact has interest or an introduction to their product/service.

Be Noticed
Keep your positive exposure at a maximum by attending networking events often. If in a networking group, attend regularly and on time. Be aware that others correlate your frequency and timeliness directly to your business and your standards. You are remembered and kept top of mind when you are constantly maintaining a networking circuit.

Be Positive
Keep a positive attitude and smile! If you are not enthusiastic about your business, no one else will be either! A positive attitude creates positive exposure!

Goals
Establish who and how many people or specific industries or companies that you wish to target before a meeting or an event.

Be specific
When presenting a commercial of your business to others, let them know who you are currently working with to give them an idea of your clientele and then be specific in telling them your target market. The more specific you are in what you need, the quicker the response you will see.

Be Memorable
To make sure that everyone remembers who you are and what exactly you do in order to keep you top of mind, be memorable. Have a tag line, use a prop, smile big, etc.

Give and you will receive
Referrals rely on reciprocal information being passed along. When you help others, let them know how they can help you. The more you put into networking, the more you receive!

Be Patient
Referrals come with trust. DO NOT expect your first few weeks in a networking group to gain a lot of referrals. Referrals come with time. The more you network and let others know who you are and what you need, the more referrals you will receive over time.

Top Of Mind
Keep others top of mind when you are speaking to your clients or prospects and ask them if they have any specific needs that you can help refer to them.

Referred business is Preferred business!!