Archive for Networking
Top 10 Networking Tips: Networking As A Group
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Have you ever been for a job interview and happily talked about your skills and experience – but wished someone else could talk about how well you did it all?
The same can be true when we talk about our businesses. You may find it easy to explain your product or service, but wish someone else could tell people how good you are at providing it.
Ah, don’t you just sometimes wish you had a “bragging buddy”? Let’s continue our series on Top 10 Tips for Networking by taking a closer look at how networking “in a group” can help grow your business.
Why Do We Need Bragging Buddies?
Networking “in a group” means networking with “bragging buddies,” that is people who can tell others how good we are!
We need bragging buddies because:
- Sometimes it can be difficult to say good things about ourselves – and in Australia, as a nation, we are notoriously bad at talking ourselves up.
- It may in fact sound like bragging to others when we do talk about our achievements, and you may fall prey to their version of the dreaded Tall Poppy Syndrome.
- Fact: Many women have a harder time talking about their own achievements than most men. Take a (female or male) bragging buddy if you fall into that category.
- We need bragging buddies because they offer a level of credibility to the claims we make about ourselves.
- When other people are willing to vouch for us they are vetting us for others.
- When our bragging buddies tell our potential customers about working with us they confirm we really can do what we say we can. And do it well.
In addition, we also need bragging buddies that we network with in a group, because they make us feel good!
The more enthusiastic and positive we feel about ourselves, the easier it is to talk about our businesses. And we all know: customers respond to enthusiasm and positivity.
Who Makes A Good Bragging Buddy?
There are several connections who make good bragging buddies; they can be individuals or groups.
1. Networking With Your Power Teams
Every BNI chapter has groups of bragging buddies already set up. How so?
Because every chapter has Power Teams, groups that are made up of complementary businesses with similar customer bases, but that offer different goods and services.
Networking with people in these complementary businesses means they can extol your virtues to your prospective clients because you have already worked together on projects for the same clients. They can also recommend you to their existing clients.
It’s a win, win, win situation!
Common and great combinations of complementary businesses in Power Teams include:
- Marketing-related professions, such as graphic designers, web developers, marketing strategists, copywriters, events managers, photographers, and social media specialists.
- Real estate and finance-related businesses, such as attorneys, CPAs, insurance specialists, mortgage brokers and real estate agents.
- Wellness-related businesses, such as chiropractors, life coaches, massage therapists, personal trainers and air/water purification businesses.
- Personal services, such as mechanics, errand/delivery services, pet-sitters and travel agents.
So network with your Power Team – be each other’s collective bragging buddies!
2. Networking With Your Existing Clients
The most powerful individuals you can network with are your existing, happy clients.
Networking with current clients is like having a walking testimonial. They lend further credibility to your claims, and give a unique view of how your services have benefited their business.
And for an existing client to be willing to spend their time telling others how happy they are working with you is clearly the best endorsement.
So Where To From Here? Find Your Bragging Buddies!
The first step to networking “as a group” is to start thinking about who your bragging buddies are, both groups and individuals.
So talk to your Power Team and your most satisfied existing clients. Invite them out to a networking event with you.
Applied properly, networking “in a group” will lead to exponential gains for your credibility – and your conversion rate and profits.
Happy Networking – and buddy-bragging!
Get Connected: 5 Top Tips for Online Networking
Posted by: | CommentsThe advent of online networking has meant a huge shift in how we connect with people. While it has not overtaken more traditional forms of networking, such as referral groups (like BNI) and casual contact networking (as Dr Ivan Misner discovered while conducting research for his new book, “Business Networking And Sex”), online networking is certainly great for building relationships.
In light of this, we have put together five top tips to help you get the most out of your online networking.
Remember VCP
In order to be successful in any networking environment you need to remember the basic principles of visibility, credibility, and profitability (VCP).
We do business with people we know, like and trust. Think of online networking platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn as ways to build these relationships, which, just like in the ‘real’ world, you must do before trying to make a sale. Imagine you were at a networking event and a stranger gave you their business card and said “Buy from me!” It would make you not want to buy from them. The same is true online; don’t send someone a message promoting yourself before you have built a relationship with them.
Complete Your Online Profiles
Your online profiles are great credibility builders … provided you take the time to complete them. Most people will read them before deciding whether to connect with you.
Some of the elements you should include in your profile are your:
- Location – people may want to meet you.
- Work history – including company names, positions, and job descriptions.
- Hobbies and interests – to create the ‘I’m like you’ factor.
Think Before You Post
Remember VCP. Before you post photos of drunken nights, think about how they might affect your business relationships. Keep these things for your personal profiles and check your privacy settings. Remember, the internet is permanent: once you put something out there, it is there for good.
Get Active and Contribute
When you go to a networking function in the ‘real’ world do you sit alone in the corner? Of course not. So when you are online, make sure you join groups and be part of the conversation. You get the greatest value from online networking when you contribute. Just as Givers Gain® works offline, givers do gain online, too.
Connect Online and Offline
If distance allows, you might like to meet up with people you have met online. Similarly, when you meet someone new in person, stay in contact online as well. Both keep the connection going, which is just what networking is all about.
Try some of these tips – and let us know how you go at social.media@bni.com.au!
Natalie Alaimo is the National Social Media Director for BNI Australia. She also runs social media training business, Natalie Alaimo International, teaching entrepreneurs how to leverage the power of social media to generate an avalanche of clients. Visit her online to download a FREE copy of “The 9 Essential Tips to Social Media Success”.
Work it, Baby! Top Tips for Networking
Posted by: | CommentsHave you ever been to a networking event where the goal of everyone around you seems to be to collect as many business cards as quickly as possible? Wouldn’t it be better to connect with people rather than just collect their contact details?
Yes! In October, we started our new series on networking, following the huge number of requests to cover this topic. This month we’re looking at working the room.
But what does ‘working the room’ actually mean? Here are a few points to keep in mind for doing just that.
Working The Room
As small business owners and members of BNI, we know that referrals drive business. In fact, for small business owners like us there is no greater endorsement than a personal referral. And what is the best way to help people make personal referrals to you? Meet them!
So working the room is simply meeting people and connecting with them.
Look For An Opening
But there are often more people than we can actually meet at networking events. How do we know who is open to meeting us?
Have a look at the picture below. Which people would you walk up to?
Open Groups
Some of the people in the picture are standing in open groups, often called ‘Open Vs’ because of their shape. Just like the letter itself, V-shaped groups allow people to talk while leaving an opening for others to join in. And as we know, the more people who join the group, the more opportunities we have to connect with them.
Sorry We’re Closed
Some of the people in the picture are standing in closed groups. They have their backs facing outwards and there is no space for people to join. Closed groups repel others, which means no opportunities for connecting.
Are You Lost? Can I Help?
There are a few ‘lost’ people in the picture, standing alone. When you see a ‘lost’ person, remember the fundamental BNI maxim: Givers Gain®! The person may be feeling nervous or alone. Give them your time and attention. Join them and start a conversation: you never know where it might lead.
Connecting With The Connectors
Standing in open groups and approaching people who look lost, are two good ways to become better networkers. Another strategy is to connect with the connectors.
What does this mean? Connectors are people who know hundreds (even thousands) of people. They are the ones people mention first, and whose names come up time and time again. Connectors are people who have built huge networks, through meeting and helping people. They can provide you with a link to a great range of people, ideas, and information.
Keep an ear out for people saying, “You know who could help? So-and-so, they know everyone!”
But don’t stop at meeting connectors, become a connector. The easiest way to do this is to help people, to recommend an IT specialist to someone who needs help with their computer, or a great architect to someone renovating their house. Over time, people will come to you for suggestions, which means you will also be front-of-mind when they need the services you provide.
So, when you are heading to your next chapter meeting or business-networking event, make sure you arrive early and leave late so you have time to work the room.
Last month, we launched our “Networking Tips” section that brings you the hottest tips around making the most of your time at BNI meetings and other events. No matter whether you still have your networking training-wheels on or are an old hand at making solid connections: our suggestions are tailored to be easily implemented. Simple, practical and proven tips like this week’s “Arrive Early, Leave Late” will make your networking even more effective.
The Early Bird Gets The Worm
The trendy partygoer’s bible dictates arriving late to be the fashionable thing to do, to ensure the place is already buzzing when you arrive. But… who creates that much-envied buzz?
Correct – those clever people who know that starting a conversation among the first-to-arrive means you already have made valuable connections before those fashionable latecomers turn up.
As any Top Networker will tell you: be unfashionably early – it pays off.
Arrive Early
No-one wants to be the first one on the dance floor. But have you noticed how once the first person starts grooving, everyone else who has been too shy until then suddenly starts flocking along with that person who broke the ice?
The same principle works for networking: arrive early and be the leading connector.
As one of the first people to arrive, you have the chance to welcome new arrivals in a warm, inviting manner and – like a host – introduce people to each other. Your fellow early starters will naturally gravitate to where groups are forming, because no-one likes to be left standing alone. They will be keen to join your crowd.
Immediately your status within the group is that of a leader, and your credibility has grown alongside your visibility. In contrast, those “fashionable” latecomer types will find it much harder to break into already established groups like yours, stand out and connect.
Leave Late
Your early start at the BNI meeting or networking event will mean that you have already connected well with many visitors, members or fellow attendees from the beginning. And during a conference there are perhaps lunch and other breaks during which you can ensure you mingle with different people.
But don’t leave until you have completed your networking goal.
Ensure that you stay as late as needed to allow enough time to meaningfully interact with those people whom you may not have had a chance to talk to earlier in the day – but who could be valuable connections.
Think Beyond The Event
If you arrive early and leave late, you are highly accessible and visible. Not only will your credibility with other participants soar – but the event organiser will also notice you.
Whether that means that you are being approached to serve on your BNI Leadership Team, or the organisers of the networking event or conference you attended see a future speaker in you. Either way you have achieved your goal of being remembered for future referrals.
You made the most of your networking time…. Mission accomplished!
What’s Your Networking Story? Let Us Know!
Visibility and credibility are essential to getting referrals, making lasting connections, and growing your business.
We hope this week’s networking tip inspired you to try “arriving early & leaving late” for yourself at your next BNI meeting, conference or networking event.
We’d Love to Hear from You… Let us know at social.media@bni.com.au
what positive changes you experienced by arriving early, and leaving late.
Surviving the Networking Jungle – Our Top 10 Tips for successful, fun networking
Posted by: | CommentsWhether you are just getting your networking L-plates or are a contact-building buff, there are always new resources you can tap into to make your networking successful, fun, and a rewarding time-investment.
Be Visible, Be Trusted. And Be Successful.
Connecting, building trust and relationships with other professionals, industry contacts, your BNI peers, and other referral sources (and of course existing and potential clients) is fundamental to any business’ success. The potential for additional business momentum and income from building a “tribe” and trusting network is enormous.
Stroll Through The Networking Jungle
To get the best enjoyment and return on investment from your time spent business networking, you may want to create a few new habits that build on your existing networking strengths.
We would like to share our proven 10 Top Tips to successful networking with you, so that every business function, networking event and BNI meeting will be valuable, enjoyable, and a great experience for you.
Armed with these tricks of the trade, you will be ready to go and breeze through the (previously perhaps a little daunting) networking jungle!
The 10 Networking Tips You Can’t Do Without
Over the coming weeks we will delve deeper into each of these recommendations, plus share more networking ideas with you – to give you even more tools to grow your networking muscle.
- Arrive early – and leave late. Welcome new people, be warm and open.
- Work the room. Spot the connectors, open groups and “lost” people.
- Network as a group of complementary businesses or with those who use your services. Network with a client – a walking testimonial source, and a great way to forge a closer bond with your client.
- Be prepared. Bring a lot of business cards, and any marketing material. Wear a name badge with your own and your company’s name.
- Listen. Givers do gain, while hard sellers, who talk only about themselves, are seen as rude and pushy. Give the first referral, if you can.
- Have an objective. Be specific about the referrals and connections you are looking for. Have a good elevator pitch ready that matches your audience and goals.
- Create “VCP”: be Visible, Credible, – and reap the Profitability rewards. Trust takes time to develop, so network regularly.
- Be Consistent. How do you present yourself, how are you perceived? Match your appearance to the occasion – and your business. Ensure your online presence is consistent with the real-life “you” and business.
- Say thank you. It’s not only the polite thing to do, it will also make your referring contact feel appreciated, and it encourages future referrals.
- Follow up after your networking event! Your reputation (and that of your referrer) and conversion-rate hinge on this perhaps most important of all networking tips.
Our networking pointers are of course not all there is to successful, profitable and fun networking. But with practice, these first steps will see you go a long way in establishing a great business network, and trust. And that visibility and credibility are essential to getting referrals, making lasting connections, and to growing your business. So, which tip will you try out on your next networking quest?
