The hustle and bustle has taken most of us to “cramming” every minute of our schedule with hardly breathing room in between. We rush hurriedly from one meeting or client to the next, arrive late, apologize for being scattered and then leave quickly realizing we’re late for our next appointment.
As Famed Infomercial Personality Susan Powter would say “STOP THE INSANITY”
It is crazy – we are not building our brand, our business, our marketing with these “quickies.” A week or so ago I attended an event where I knew there would be folks to meet who could refer me and who may want to hire my consulting services. And I did network, and made some great connections, but what I saw there actually shocked me a bit.
Other folks like me, who were clearly there to network and see the “latest” info being dished arrived late and left the moment the event was over. Now granted the event did run long, but the reward of going to a business networking function is to create new relationships and deepen existing relationships. That is really all that marketing is … and networking is an in-person vehicle for doing that.
The next time you are going to an event where there will be networking, follow these tips:
When possible, plan ahead to know who you will want to meet in the room. Think about what you can do for them – what business you could refer to them – ways you can deepen that relationship.
Arrive early – leave yourself time to find parking, go to the restroom, pull your networking smile and handshake together – do not arrive frazzled and seeming pathetic.
Spend quality time with each person you meet. This is not a race to COLLECT BUSINESS CARDS, it is a relationship building opportunity.
Do not automatically add folks to your email list without their permission.
Follow up with a HAND WRITTEN note card. RIGHT AWAY! Not weeks away – send it the same day or the very next morning out in the mail.
That’s it … those are the basics. Make the most of your next networking event.