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Insiders secrets to networking profitable
Do you go to networking events to promote your business or make new contacts? Ever feel frustrated when they take a couple hours of your day to go to an event, but not make meaningful connections? Here is a step by step strategy that has helped make good business connections:
1. In the event, sure to meet as many people as possible. Have a short but meaningful conversation with each person know there. The goal is not to get a sale, the objective is to obtain key information.
2. Build relationship, ask questions and gather information. Its aim is not to talk about yourself, although you'll have to make it a bit. Be an active listener.
3. If you do not have a great memory, has a pen with you and point some notes on each card to pick it up. Note specifically what you spoke.
4. If you find someone clinging to you and dominate your time, interrupt politely and say, "oops, I hear more about it. I have a couple of people I have to fulfill. We will arrange a meeting later to finish this conversation. "This is a great way to get follow-up appointments on the road.
Now the real magic begins after the meeting.
5. Take all your business cards with notes and return to his office. Everybody put in their database, and as it does, it will send to each of them a greeting card custom. No need to write a novel, just mention what you mentioned. "Dear Bob, was a pleasure to meet you at the meeting xyz Thursday. It's good to know someone who has been attending meetings over five years – it really can help me make the best contacts. "
6. Close with a call to action, "Bob, I would sit with you next week to discuss how we may be able to do business together. Can you call me at 555-555-1212 so we can make an appointment. "
7. Mail your card with a stamp in vivo measurement in front of them – this helps ensure that will open.
After a recent meeting I 2/3rds network of people who met with him to call me to schedule a follow-up meeting. The major drawbacks of this strategy are: # 1, the time it takes and # 2 in spending. Fortunately I found a solution to both problems.
There is a new service site called sending letters that lets you upload or enter your database, address, and send personalized cards online. The letters are sent to live with a mark and leave immediately. You can even create email campaigns where people around a series of letters – a great marketing tool.
The majority of the economic accounts accounts are wholesale or distributor. You can send cards with less than a dollar, including postage. Is it better than Hallmark heck out of the cost, ease of use and time savings.
I send cards all the time and people have been calling and e-mail me to say thank you. The amount of goodwill can be generated from a single card beats almost any other type of direct marketing you can do, and probably costs much less.
Give it a try to your next networking event.
About the Author
J D Moore –
Marketing Comet
social network donating all profits to charities – kaioo.com