Cast Your Net and Work on Those Relationships by Creating a Networking Strategy
Connections are one of your most valuable assets.�The single most important thing you have is your contact database.�Having a great Rolodex of people to call on- not only as clients, but as resources is a true blessing. Knowing people that can provide the right answers and connections at the right time saves a lot of time and money.�With limited time, you need to have a strategy for networking success.
One of the most important things in making contacts through networking is to decide on what networking events to attend.�It is simply impossible to attend everything that you receive an invitation for.�Base your decision on quality- not quantity.�While some events will have hundreds of people, you need to ask yourself, “Are these the people that I need to meet to achieve my personal and/or professional goals.”�In some cases, it is well worth your time to go to an event with the goal of meeting one specific person in mind that you feel compelled to know.�
Here is an exercise you should do regularly.�Look at your schedule for the year and determine the industry events that you need to budget for and attend.�On a local level, there are tons of organizations with monthly meetings that have opportunities for networking.�Look at those a few months in advance or as they come up.�Anytime you think about your goals, assess who you need as a contact to achieve that goal and figure out a way to meet those people.�Having a large network can help you get into doors more quickly because people will be more open to meeting someone that has been referred to them vs. someone that is cold calling.
If you have an event that you’re on the fence about, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this something I want to do or should do?�(Women’s intuition goes a long way here).
- Is going to this event taking me closer to a goal or objective?
- Is going to this event in alignment with my personal/professional strategy?
If you can get through all of these questions with a ‘yes,’ find a way to take advantage of the opportunity as long as it won’t require a huge sacrifice on your part that could make you resentful for attending.�Sacrifice isn’t always about money.�It can also be about missing vacation or time with family.�Always consider that.�
If you master this process when approaching meetings or events, you will be well on your way to making quality contacts that can either turn into client or help you immensely when you need a referral for a product or service.
Lauren L. Darr is the President and Founder of DIY Marketing Communications, a brand of Lauren Originals, Inc. She has over 20 years experience in working with companies large and small on their marketing efforts. Her passion is working with small businesses and entrepreneurs to create successful marketing campaigns.
You can get a FREE report by Lauren, “The Top 3 Pitfalls of Marketing and How to Avoid Them” at http://www.diymarketingcommunications.com.
