Creating a Business Networking Plan Steps 5-8

When you have formalised a networking plan and strategy you will reach key contacts rapidly and start attending targeted events;

If you follow 1-4 Easy to Apply Networking Strategy Steps below to get started. (and look out for step 5-8 in our next email)

Here are steps 5 to 8 below

Step 5 : Make Introductions

Find ways to make introductions for other people.
Create a list of statements you can use when offering an introduction.

Below is a list of examples.
1.)  Let’s “work the room” together and see if there is anyone here I can introduce you to.
2.)  Your product/service is a good fit for my colleague ____let me introduce you to him/her.
3.)  The speaker was very interesting, let’s go introduce ourselves, I want to tell him/her about your fascinating product/service.
4.)  Let me introduce you to an associate of mine.
5.)  My colleague ____is here, let’s go say “hi” and I will introduce you.

Step 6:  After Making Contact – Evaluate Your Contacts

Very simply ask yourself; can you help them AND can they help you?
When considering if this contact can help you, remember that the purpose of the relationship should not be to get their business, but to get business from everyone they know!  (In Networking Opportunities come from the next link in the network. So called Weak links.)

....If the answer is "Yes" then go build a relationship with this contact!

Step 7 : After sorting out and determining the Valuable Contacts – Build a Relationship

  -  Learn more about the contact(s) business, products and personal interests;
     consider setting up an initial in-person appointment for about 1 hour, or via phone if that works better

-  Educate them a little more on your company, what your products do for clients and your personal interests

-  Touch base often; try getting together in person whenever possible

-  After you have built a relationship and developed a level of trust, start introducing them to other appropriate contacts of yours; in turn they are likely to do the same

-  When looking for referrals, vendor recommendations and general business advice turn to your base of contacts!

Step 8: Relationship Maintenance

 Just like in your personal life, maintaining a business relationship takes work too;
                       keep these helpful tips in mind, so a contact doesn't "break up" with you!

-  Stay in some kind of contact often, particularly with your "most valuable" contacts; go to lunch or dinner, attend

an event together, or simply pick up the phone and chat a bit!

-  Check in with all contacts periodically, to maintain the relationship;
      With all of the social media available that should not be difficult
           even a simple quick email, txt, linkedin message, or maybe an old fashioned card  will do the trick!

-  Prioritize contacts every so often;
as your contact base grows, evaluate which contacts you should be in touch with more frequently and less

You will come to find that some of your contacts will turn into some of your closest and long term friendships!

I even met one Rainmaker who met a client 20 years ago and now they are best friends and go on holiday together.

If you're a little scared of networking try Reframing it to "Finding my Future Best Friend" see how that plays?? 

You may find it surprising to learn that many of my most valuable contacts have never been customers.  
However, I take the time to help them and they in turn take the time to help me by referring business to me.

I hope you can see networking can be very powerful 
          Create your networking plan, go out and build some relationships through networking.

Good Rainmaking
Rob