Networking or Not Working – It’s Your Choice!

Even if you think of yourself as a great Networker, you might want to consider a few life lessons about Networking.  They are:

Make Networking a REAL goal!  Networking is a daily activity.  It’s like eating an elephant – one bite at a time!

Recognize, Organize, and Reorganize Your Current Network!  All of us have a network, but most of the time we aren’t aware of it.  Make a list of all the people on your holiday greeting card list, in your home owner’s association, your church, and your professional associations.  You get the idea.

Make Sure Your Networking Tools Are Ready At All Times!  This doesn’t mean your business card or brochure.  It means making sure you have a clear objective, an appropriate attitude, and great phone skills.

Make the First Contact in Any Situation.  Walk up to someone, look them in the eye, introduce yourself, and ask a question.

Help Others.  My goal is always to be remembered well.  What better way than helping other people?

Keep in Touch Regularly.  This may not sound important, but believe me, both positive and negative things make lasting impressions.

Say Thank You and MEAN IT!  We say thanks to the person who brings us water at our table and thanks to the person who takes our money at the bank.  We certainly need to say thanks to those who give us their time.

And Just Do It!!!!

I.          Identify Your Client – Tailor your presentation to your client.  Do you have a niche market?  You need to be clear exactly who your message is for.  Who can you help the most?  Who do you understand the best?  Where do you have the most experience?  Think all of this through and develop your message specifically for this ideal client. Examples:  Home Owner, Real Estate Agent, Builder, others?

II.         Identify Specific Challenges for each client and tailor Marketing Portfolio.              What does your client want to do but doesn’t know how.  What’s missing for them?  What are they struggling with?  What is confusing or frustrating for them? Clearly articulate this: “I work with these kind of clients who have this kind of challenge.”