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If you know others in
room, seasoned networkers know how to hand other person off to next person. "Jill, let me introduce you to Sandy. Sandy, Jill. Please excuse me while you two get to know each other." Another way to politely move on is by saying, "Thank you, I've enjoyed talking with you. I know we're both here to meet other people. So, let’s do so."
5. Come ready to sell (one of my pet peeves). People bring an event flyer with a call to action to register at a website or mail a check. You just lost sale. Be ready, accept cash, check or credit card payment. Generally people don't carry more than $20 and prefer to use their credit or debit cards. Give people an incentive for registering at event. Ask for a commitment. Flyers that require a visit to a website or to mail a check almost always get trashed. You can see them piled in events trash can.
If you're not ready to get orders, omit it. If you are an author, bring your books and sell them. Autograph book. Ask if they want to purchase a copy for a client or friend.
When people don't accept credit cards, it tells me they are new and aren't ready to sell. It can also say that event will have little attendance. People hate to show up at events with little attendance.
6. Let go of multi-tasking ladies. Eat first and then network. People generally don't want to interrupt someone when they are eating. Use a purse that doesn't slide off should ever few minutes, it’s distracting. You may want not to take a purse or use it to hold material in plastic sleeves.
7. Introducing yourself, title vs. functionality. Which is more important to person you are talking to -- your title or what functions you can help them with. Yep, latter. Instead of saying, "I'm a tax preparer" say, "I help people save money on their taxes". Instead of saying, "I'm a business coach" give a WIIFM. Here’s one of mine: "One of my specialties is to help service professionals create a short business plan in less than an hour that says everything they need to stay focused for coming year."
Be careful of your tone, pace, and breathing when you talk. People don't naturally tune into what you are saying until third or fourth word. The example above, "One of my... doesn't say anything important until "service professionals". Name presentation is same. I say, Catherine Franz, slowly and then repeat my first name: "Catherine with a C". Generally, when people are nervous, they forget to breath before speaking. Then information erupts like a volcano. Most of it as inaudible.
8. Less than ½ % of 1% of unseasoned networkers follow-up. That is a sad statistic, and loss of opportunity. Recently, after five events and tagging 40 business cards, only four followed up. I called four, said I wanted to place an order, and still no response. When we met up again, they apologized for being too busy. Oops, I went somewhere else. Stop excuses, no wants to hear them.
On another similar note, don't promise to follow-up and don't. It shoots down your credibility. If you are one of these, please note, when this occurs, people many times take it personally.
Follow-up within 24 business hours. Your follow-up displays your level of commitment to relationships. The way you follow-up, e-mail or phone, measures how much you want a relationship.
9. Prepare for event. Bring any promised items. For morning events, prepare day before. Arrive early. Early bird gets worm. Freshen up, walk in relaxed, breathing correctly, standing tall, and ready. Bring samples, product specials of month to sell. If its hand cream, use it and pass it around room. Author of a new book, read a paragraph that gets them curious during your 30 seconds, and bring copies for people to purchase.
