As stated previously word-of-mouth advertising as you know this is one of the oldest and most powerful forms of marketing for the value you receive back from the time invested. The previous suggestions in part 1 were: always have your networking tools with you, set a goal for the number of new people you want to meet at the events, act like a host not a guest at the events, and finally to listen then ask the 5 W questions. In part 2 I wrote about giving a lead or referral whenever you can, describe your product or service, exchange business cards with the people you meet at the events, and spend 10 minutes or less with each person you meet at the events, don’t linger with your friends and associates.
During the holiday season and special events you should make sure your follow the final suggestions to be an effective networker so future customers can learn about your business.
1. Write comments on the back on the business cards you collect. This process will help you remember the person later on when you look at the business card. I don’t know of a lot of people who can recall a 10 minute or less conversation of potentially 20 people a few days later when you need. A couple of examples of short notes:
“wants to attend a BNI chapter meeting”
“is a baseball fan”
“likes to hike”
Write down anything that will help you remember the conversation or that can help you do business with you.
2. Follow up with the people you meet. Remember that outstanding follow-up is the key to effective networking. You can follow the first nine suggestions to the t but if you don’t do this step you are wasting your time networking. If you promise to get back with people make sure you do it or your reputation can be hurt. Even if you don’t promise to call them do it anyway or send them a note or letter. If you follow-up your networking can be very empowering.
3. Keep a copy of this posted in a visible place so you can review before you go to any networking event or holiday party. Ok now you have a total of ten suggestions on how to network during the holidays or special events. Go get them!!
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
Showing posts with label Networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Networking. Show all posts
Monday, January 3, 2011
Networking During the Holidays and Special Events Part 2
As stated previously word-of-mouth advertising as you know this is one of the oldest and most powerful forms of marketing for the value you receive back from the time invested into it.. The previous suggestions were: always have your networking tools with you, set a goal for the number of new people you want to meet at the events, act like a host not a guest at the events, and finally to listen then ask the 5 W questions.
During the holiday season and special events you should make sure your follow the following four suggestions to be an effective networker so future customers can learn about your business.
1. Give a lead or referral whenever you can. Outstanding networkers believe in the givers gain philosophy. If you don’t really attempt to help the people you meet then you really aren’t networking. Sometimes you may need to be creative in this area. If you can’t give a lead or referral then you may need to give them other type of information that may be in need of them. An example of this maybe of a speaker you know about who they are trying to get a contract with for their business. You could also tell them of other ways to grow their business. The more you try to help people, the more they will remember you in a positive way. You will then become a source of information where people go when they need help.
2. Describe your product or service. After you learn about what the other person does then you describe your business. Be specific but brief. Use memory hooks or your lowest common denominator for your business. Try to do it in 60 seconds or less. This seems to be the attention span of some people when you are talking to them about your business.
3. Exchange business cards with the people you meet at the events. Ask for two cards; one for you and one for you to give away as a referral. This sets the stage for networking to start to happen. When the business cards are used properly, the cards can be instrumental in helping you remember people, initiate follow up, learn opportunities, and access information and resources for your own clients.
4. Spend 10 minutes or less with each person you meet at the events, don’t linger with your friends or associates. Remember suggestion # 2- if you set a goal to meet a certain amount of people you have to make sure you allocate the correct amount of time to accomplish your goal. Besides the person you are talking to also needs to meet others also. Don’t spend your entire time with just one person.
Learn to leave conversations gracefully. Tell them that you have a few more people to meet, your drink needs to be refreshed, or you want to sample the appetizers.
Ok now you have a total of eight suggestions on how to network during the holidays or special events. Come back for the final two suggestions and wrap up.
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
During the holiday season and special events you should make sure your follow the following four suggestions to be an effective networker so future customers can learn about your business.
1. Give a lead or referral whenever you can. Outstanding networkers believe in the givers gain philosophy. If you don’t really attempt to help the people you meet then you really aren’t networking. Sometimes you may need to be creative in this area. If you can’t give a lead or referral then you may need to give them other type of information that may be in need of them. An example of this maybe of a speaker you know about who they are trying to get a contract with for their business. You could also tell them of other ways to grow their business. The more you try to help people, the more they will remember you in a positive way. You will then become a source of information where people go when they need help.
2. Describe your product or service. After you learn about what the other person does then you describe your business. Be specific but brief. Use memory hooks or your lowest common denominator for your business. Try to do it in 60 seconds or less. This seems to be the attention span of some people when you are talking to them about your business.
3. Exchange business cards with the people you meet at the events. Ask for two cards; one for you and one for you to give away as a referral. This sets the stage for networking to start to happen. When the business cards are used properly, the cards can be instrumental in helping you remember people, initiate follow up, learn opportunities, and access information and resources for your own clients.
4. Spend 10 minutes or less with each person you meet at the events, don’t linger with your friends or associates. Remember suggestion # 2- if you set a goal to meet a certain amount of people you have to make sure you allocate the correct amount of time to accomplish your goal. Besides the person you are talking to also needs to meet others also. Don’t spend your entire time with just one person.
Learn to leave conversations gracefully. Tell them that you have a few more people to meet, your drink needs to be refreshed, or you want to sample the appetizers.
Ok now you have a total of eight suggestions on how to network during the holidays or special events. Come back for the final two suggestions and wrap up.
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
Networking During the Holidays and Special Events Part 1
Word-of-mouth advertising as you know this is one of the oldest and most powerful forms of marketing for the value you receive back from the time invested into it. During the holiday season and special events you should make sure your follow the following four suggestions to be an effective networker so future customers can learn about your business.
1. Always have your networking tools with you. Most people who are great networkers always have their networking supplies with them. Those supplies include an information name badge, plenty of business cards, brochures about your business, a pocket sized business card holder of business professionals you refer to, and a small bottle of germ killer.
Make sure you have a professionally made name tag since they look much better than a stick on name tag. It should include your name and your business name or profession whichever one you would prefer. You should never run out of business cards while at these events.
2. Set a goal for the number of new people you want to meet at the events. Some people go to these events with only one goal in mind- what time they want to leave? Your goal should be set for the number of contacts you make or the number of business cards you receive. Don’t leave the event until you meet your goal.
You need to be realistic. If you are having a bad day set a lower goal than you have on the days when you are having a great day. With either case, set a reachable goal based on the attendance and the type of group you are attending.
3. Act like a host and not a guest of the event. You should pretend it is your party you are attending. You should stand near the main door to meet the people and then introduce them around the event. If you can volunteer to be an ambassador or greater at the events you attend or are a member. This will help you gain more valuable networking skills and get great exposure at the same time.
Networking can be a 24/7 activity if done correctly. Don’t limit your to networking just at receptions you attend. You can network anywhere.
4. Listen then ask the 5 W questions- Who, What, When, Where, & Why. A great networker has two ears and one mouth and they use them proportionally. You should show a genuine interest in the other persons business or products. You should find out as much as you can about their business by asking the 5 W questions. He answers they give you will give you a better grasp on their business and how you can work with them in the future. This also gives you a better definition on what other networking events you can invite them to in the future and how to refer them to other businesses.
Come back for the next set of suggestions to improve your networking during the holidays and other special events.
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
1. Always have your networking tools with you. Most people who are great networkers always have their networking supplies with them. Those supplies include an information name badge, plenty of business cards, brochures about your business, a pocket sized business card holder of business professionals you refer to, and a small bottle of germ killer.
Make sure you have a professionally made name tag since they look much better than a stick on name tag. It should include your name and your business name or profession whichever one you would prefer. You should never run out of business cards while at these events.
2. Set a goal for the number of new people you want to meet at the events. Some people go to these events with only one goal in mind- what time they want to leave? Your goal should be set for the number of contacts you make or the number of business cards you receive. Don’t leave the event until you meet your goal.
You need to be realistic. If you are having a bad day set a lower goal than you have on the days when you are having a great day. With either case, set a reachable goal based on the attendance and the type of group you are attending.
3. Act like a host and not a guest of the event. You should pretend it is your party you are attending. You should stand near the main door to meet the people and then introduce them around the event. If you can volunteer to be an ambassador or greater at the events you attend or are a member. This will help you gain more valuable networking skills and get great exposure at the same time.
Networking can be a 24/7 activity if done correctly. Don’t limit your to networking just at receptions you attend. You can network anywhere.
4. Listen then ask the 5 W questions- Who, What, When, Where, & Why. A great networker has two ears and one mouth and they use them proportionally. You should show a genuine interest in the other persons business or products. You should find out as much as you can about their business by asking the 5 W questions. He answers they give you will give you a better grasp on their business and how you can work with them in the future. This also gives you a better definition on what other networking events you can invite them to in the future and how to refer them to other businesses.
Come back for the next set of suggestions to improve your networking during the holidays and other special events.
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Steps to Be Effective in Networking Groups Part 2
Alright you came back for some more about word-of-mouth advertising. As you know this is one of the oldest and most powerful forms of marketing for the value you receive back from the time invested into it. In my opinion this is the best way to spend your hard earned dollars to advertise your business products and services.
Make sure you are organized and thoughtful about it as you are about other types of advertising and marketing you can do also. Here are the other 5 ways to be effective in networking groups.
1. When attending a business mixer, act like a host, not a guest. You are wasting your time at networking mixers if you stand around visiting with coworkers or others whom you already know rather than meeting new contacts and introducing them around. These networking meetings offer a great way to increase your visibility! The more visible you are the more your contacts will start to consider you a connector and contacting you about anything they may have a need for in their business and personal life. You can ask to be the ambassador or visitor host in the organizations to which you belong this will ensure you meet as many people as possible.
2. Invest time in developing a 60-second message about your business that explains what you do. Try to think of a Memory Hook — a brief, ear-catching phrase that so vividly describes what you do; this will help people will be able to visualize it in their mind. For example, my business name is Eagle Eye Accounting and my memory hook is “Keeping an Eye on Your Business Needs.” I also have a picture of an eagle that I had taken a picture of when I was stationed in Alaska where you can see the prominent eye on the card. When you meet new contacts, use your Memory Hook. Chances are this will help them remember you and what you do.
3. Connect with people outside of business meetings whenever possible. Drop notes, letters and articles that might be of interest to them in the mail. Call to check in with them or invite them to events you may be attending that might be of interest.
4. Monitor the referrals you give and receive. This tells you how often you are giving referrals and to whom. I use a excel tracking sheet I have set up to see what I have done and in the comments area I add additional information. Having this information helps you focus on helping people who have helped you in the past. The best way to receive a referral is to give twice as many as you want to receive. It sets up the reality of the “two-way street” nature of word-of-mouth marketing.
5. If you have the opportunity to distribute your materials to clients or at networking meetings, do it. Always bring brochures, newsletters and other information about your company and your products and services. Try to have your links listed on them to your company website (no brainer), Facebook, twitter, linked in and any other social media site that you may belong to. The more people can see, touch and hear things about your product and services, they’ll be more likely to use you or refer you to others.
You are potentially linked to an every expanding network that is way beyond your own location. If you could implement only two of the tactics above, you will receive benefits from that network. Next I will discuss how to networking during the holidays.
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
Make sure you are organized and thoughtful about it as you are about other types of advertising and marketing you can do also. Here are the other 5 ways to be effective in networking groups.
1. When attending a business mixer, act like a host, not a guest. You are wasting your time at networking mixers if you stand around visiting with coworkers or others whom you already know rather than meeting new contacts and introducing them around. These networking meetings offer a great way to increase your visibility! The more visible you are the more your contacts will start to consider you a connector and contacting you about anything they may have a need for in their business and personal life. You can ask to be the ambassador or visitor host in the organizations to which you belong this will ensure you meet as many people as possible.
2. Invest time in developing a 60-second message about your business that explains what you do. Try to think of a Memory Hook — a brief, ear-catching phrase that so vividly describes what you do; this will help people will be able to visualize it in their mind. For example, my business name is Eagle Eye Accounting and my memory hook is “Keeping an Eye on Your Business Needs.” I also have a picture of an eagle that I had taken a picture of when I was stationed in Alaska where you can see the prominent eye on the card. When you meet new contacts, use your Memory Hook. Chances are this will help them remember you and what you do.
3. Connect with people outside of business meetings whenever possible. Drop notes, letters and articles that might be of interest to them in the mail. Call to check in with them or invite them to events you may be attending that might be of interest.
4. Monitor the referrals you give and receive. This tells you how often you are giving referrals and to whom. I use a excel tracking sheet I have set up to see what I have done and in the comments area I add additional information. Having this information helps you focus on helping people who have helped you in the past. The best way to receive a referral is to give twice as many as you want to receive. It sets up the reality of the “two-way street” nature of word-of-mouth marketing.
5. If you have the opportunity to distribute your materials to clients or at networking meetings, do it. Always bring brochures, newsletters and other information about your company and your products and services. Try to have your links listed on them to your company website (no brainer), Facebook, twitter, linked in and any other social media site that you may belong to. The more people can see, touch and hear things about your product and services, they’ll be more likely to use you or refer you to others.
You are potentially linked to an every expanding network that is way beyond your own location. If you could implement only two of the tactics above, you will receive benefits from that network. Next I will discuss how to networking during the holidays.
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
How to Be Effective in Networking Groups Part 1
Word-of-mouth advertising is one of the oldest forms of marketing. Some of us will ask our friends and family who they use for a particular item or service needed. While most real estate agents understand how to work the system many business owners do not know how they can use this powerful business tool.
To be successful at developing word-of-mouth referrals through networking groups, you should be organized. After all there are many other ways to advertize your business goods and services. You need to be thoughtful about it as you are because some can cost you thousands of dollars to be effective. Here are 5 ways to be effective in any networking group you are active in as your business grows.
1. Know how to ask for the referral. There are specific techniques you can learn and develop that will help you master your ability to ask for the referrals or business you want. The best technique is to ask “who do you know who...?” You would then list the types of people you can help, such as someone who is new to the area, someone recently divorced or who has just considering starting a business.
2. Diversify your networks. When joining various organizations, make sure you select a well-rounded mix of business groups in which to participate. These groups might be business referral groups, chambers of commerce, community service groups, and or trade associations. Try to avoid being in more than one group per category such as two chambers of commerce because this could divide your loyalties. This may put you in a position where you’ll be making promises to too many people.
3. Develop a creative incentive to encourage people to send referrals your way. A realtor here in New Mexico offers bottled wine as gifts to clients who give referrals. While some others provide gift baskets to recognize the efforts of those who have passed on business.
4. When attending meetings or other networking events, bring your networking tools with you. These include: an informative name badge, business cards and a business card carrying case to hold others’ cards.
5. Spend time developing your networking skills. Read business books and articles on networking, listen to tapes and talk to people who are always networking. Networking is an acquired skill. This is take time to become an expert at it since you are always learning new ways to network. I mean after all, Face book has been around less than 5 years and you can see many businesses are now using it as a social media tool to network and get the word out.
You are potentially linked to an incredible network beyond your own business because of word of mouth marketing. By implementing a few of these tactics above, you will receive benefits from that network. Maximize your opportunities by cultivating your networking relationships with others and you will see just how effective word-of-mouth advertising can be! Stayed tuned for part two of how to maximize you’re networking capabilities.
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
To be successful at developing word-of-mouth referrals through networking groups, you should be organized. After all there are many other ways to advertize your business goods and services. You need to be thoughtful about it as you are because some can cost you thousands of dollars to be effective. Here are 5 ways to be effective in any networking group you are active in as your business grows.
1. Know how to ask for the referral. There are specific techniques you can learn and develop that will help you master your ability to ask for the referrals or business you want. The best technique is to ask “who do you know who...?” You would then list the types of people you can help, such as someone who is new to the area, someone recently divorced or who has just considering starting a business.
2. Diversify your networks. When joining various organizations, make sure you select a well-rounded mix of business groups in which to participate. These groups might be business referral groups, chambers of commerce, community service groups, and or trade associations. Try to avoid being in more than one group per category such as two chambers of commerce because this could divide your loyalties. This may put you in a position where you’ll be making promises to too many people.
3. Develop a creative incentive to encourage people to send referrals your way. A realtor here in New Mexico offers bottled wine as gifts to clients who give referrals. While some others provide gift baskets to recognize the efforts of those who have passed on business.
4. When attending meetings or other networking events, bring your networking tools with you. These include: an informative name badge, business cards and a business card carrying case to hold others’ cards.
5. Spend time developing your networking skills. Read business books and articles on networking, listen to tapes and talk to people who are always networking. Networking is an acquired skill. This is take time to become an expert at it since you are always learning new ways to network. I mean after all, Face book has been around less than 5 years and you can see many businesses are now using it as a social media tool to network and get the word out.
You are potentially linked to an incredible network beyond your own business because of word of mouth marketing. By implementing a few of these tactics above, you will receive benefits from that network. Maximize your opportunities by cultivating your networking relationships with others and you will see just how effective word-of-mouth advertising can be! Stayed tuned for part two of how to maximize you’re networking capabilities.
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Are you Networking your Clients?
When we are out and about looking for new business we are usually networking with other business people in the community you need to make sure you build a very good relationship with them ahead of time. Some business owners really dread this type of marketing for their business. They would rather spend the money on print advertising or even pay through the nose for media advertising. Some people really think of this as work.
I think of it as net enjoy. You might say wow you are twisted!!. I laugh and say yes I am at different times of the year especially during tax season when sleep is an option. I am the type of person who likes to have everything set and organized but when it comes to networking to build my sales force and customers. I take my time to get to know the business owners to make sure I want to work with them and that we are a good fit for each other. I interview them just as if they were coming to work for me. I make sure they are not the type of a business that will want me to push it to the limit to where my ethics and license may be put on the line. If I ask them questions about some aspect of their business or personal life and they squirm with the answers then they might actually not be the right client for me and my business.
You might ask why do you spend the time interviewing them? Well I do this because during this process of networking I actual enjoy this time to start to build that relationship. I will be sure that once I perform an accounting or tax service for them that they will be on my sales team whether they know it or not. They will be so impressed with the service I give them that they want to give me a referral based on my relationship with them not just because of my ethics and integrity.
This process I start with them is based on Business Network International (BNI) VCP process in order to grow your business clients. I totally agree with this process and have built my business to 95 % of my business clients based on this networking technique. If you are ever in the State of NM and would like to visit with me please email I and we can schedule a time to chat.
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
I think of it as net enjoy. You might say wow you are twisted!!. I laugh and say yes I am at different times of the year especially during tax season when sleep is an option. I am the type of person who likes to have everything set and organized but when it comes to networking to build my sales force and customers. I take my time to get to know the business owners to make sure I want to work with them and that we are a good fit for each other. I interview them just as if they were coming to work for me. I make sure they are not the type of a business that will want me to push it to the limit to where my ethics and license may be put on the line. If I ask them questions about some aspect of their business or personal life and they squirm with the answers then they might actually not be the right client for me and my business.
You might ask why do you spend the time interviewing them? Well I do this because during this process of networking I actual enjoy this time to start to build that relationship. I will be sure that once I perform an accounting or tax service for them that they will be on my sales team whether they know it or not. They will be so impressed with the service I give them that they want to give me a referral based on my relationship with them not just because of my ethics and integrity.
This process I start with them is based on Business Network International (BNI) VCP process in order to grow your business clients. I totally agree with this process and have built my business to 95 % of my business clients based on this networking technique. If you are ever in the State of NM and would like to visit with me please email I and we can schedule a time to chat.
As always if you have any questions or comments please email me at rondazaragoza@gmail.com. I will try and reply to your question within 24-48 hours of receipt.
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