The title of this article is 4 Fundamentals For Networking Success
- This article was posted on Sep 21, 2021
- |
- The author of this article is Jamie Walker
The following is the full article details:
Networking groups are a great way to build a reliable referral network and to meet other business owners and entrepreneurs. Meetings and events provide you with a cost-effective platform to educate others about what you do and provides you with the opportunity to be in front of people that are more inclined to share information about your business with their network of friends, colleagues, customers, and family members. To help you get the most out of your next networking meeting we have included 4 fundamentals that you should embrace and perfect for networking group success.
1. Put your best foot forward by being prepared to talk about what you do with confidence.
When attending a networking meeting it is important to be cognizant of how you want to be perceived as a member and how you want people to see your business. Each chapter has a designated industry expert, and you want others in the group to have confidence in your industry knowledge and the products and services that your business provides.
At The One, we open each meeting with our member minute where each attendee has the opportunity to talk about their business and the referrals that they have provided or have received. The member minute is your chance to introduce yourself and your business to new attendees as well as continue to reinforce your position with other attendees as a credible subject matter expert in your industry.
Tip: If public speaking is not your strong suit try practicing your elevator pitch before each meeting so that you can speak with confidence. With practice, talking in front of a group about your business will become second nature and you will be able to exude confidence.
2. Networking is a group effort with a focus on helping each other.
People join networking groups to interact with like-minded business people and entrepreneurs with the goal of building relationships and creating more opportunities to generate referrals. The success of a networking group is dependent on being invested in getting to know other members and building relationships with them so that you can be an advocate for their business when the opportunity arises. In a general sense, a networking group is a team, and everyone wins when the team is working together to a common goal.
Tip: At each meeting try to introduce yourself to new members or guests and ask for a business card so that you can follow up with them after the meeting has concluded. Showing genuine interest in others goes a long way in developing a welcoming group that will grow in members.
3. Networking is about interacting and exchanging information.
According to Webster's Dictionary, the definition of networking is the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions. More specifically it is the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.
While relationship building is the core of The ONE’s networking philosophy we also understand that people join or participate so that they can exchange information about that their business and their expertise. It is the transfer of information either in the form of your industry knowledge or referrals that helps the relationship-building process find success. If you want to be successful in building relationships and growing your referrals you need to be prepared to interact with all members of the chapter and have them see you as someone that brings value to the group.
Tip: Bring something new to each meeting either in the form of advice on an issue in your industry, a referral for another member, or bring a guest that would be beneficial to the group.
4. Networking is a platform that allows you to expand your reach.
Just like Facebook or LinkedIn networking groups are a place where you can promote your business and increase the exposure of your products or services. The primary difference between digital platforms and networking groups is the face-to-face interaction that you get to have and the fact that you have the opportunity to recruit people to sell on your behalf. Investing time and energy into growing referrals through networking groups can be just as rewarding as spending money on Facebook ads or trying to get eyes on your latest LinkedIn post. If you are successful at fundamentals 1 through 3 then your investment into The ONE or other networking groups will pay off.
Tip: Participation is key. Be present at meetings physically and mentally so that you can get the most out of them. As with anything that we try to succeed at you only get out of what you put into something.
If you are interested in joining The ONE to start your networking journey you can join online: Join Today
If you are interested in joining The ONE to start your networking journey you can join online: Join Today