Networking Survival Guide

A Survival Guide To The Economic Downturn

When people buy your products or services they want to be guaranteed that they will get what they asked for. Even more so now because more and more people, whether consumers or business owners, are watching their cents…who can afford to throw away money in these times? People also want to be sure that if they recommend your services to others they can do so confidently, after all they want others to be able to trust their own recommendation.

Why business networking is a critical investment for growing your business

Many business people shy away from investing in any sort of marketing activity when times are tough, however these are the times when you probably need to invest the most. Whilst business may be hard to find right now, if you have kept your profile high, when people are read to buy, you will be foremost in their minds. It is also about survival of the fittest…and part of keeping fit is to ensure you continue to market yourself.

But it is important that you don’t waste money and that you choose small business marketing activities carefully and here are some reasons why business networking is one method you need to should seriously consider.

Business networking is all about developing your contacts and even more crucially building relationships with those you want to influence. It is absolutely not about presenting a sales pitch to everyone you come in contact with, instead over time getting to know people well enough that they get to know, like and trust you enough to either do business directly with you or refer your services to others.

Whilst there is an increase in the amount of online business networking that is now undertaken, there is no substitute for face to face networking where people can a real sense of who you are and how you operate.

A massive proportion of business results from personal recommendation…but in reality people will only recommend you if they do actually trust that you can deliver…afterall their own recommendation is at stake.

What business networking does is dramatically increases the process of personal recommendation, that is as long as it is done effectively.

So how do you develop trust when networking?

• The first thing to remember is that trust isn’t something that develops instantaneously…it is built up over time so patience is required.

   

   

   

• Get to know people and show an interest in them – building rapport is the foundation for developing strong relationships and this is only achieved when you have an absolute desire to enter their world and really understand them. Find out about their business and establish what help they might want from you. You might be able to offer them some free advice or put them in touch with contacts that they are seeking.

   

   

   

• ‘Be yourself’ when out there meeting people. Don’t try and put on an act…be honest! The most effective networkers I know are those who are natural and don’t try to put on any pretences. Fail to be yourself and be assured that people will see through your mask, one sure fire way of halting that trust before you’ve even started.

   

   

   

• Always deliver on your promises whether this is to follow up with them with an email, introduce them to someone or if you have been asked to provide them with a quote.

   

   

   

• Keep confidences – sometimes people are prepared to share information with you intended for your ears only. Make sure you respect this privilege.

   

   

   

• Never talk negatively about others behind their back…think what messages this will send out. People will start to assume you will talk the same way about them.

   

   

   

• Finally do an outstanding job .If you do business it is absolutely critical that you meet or better still exceed expectations. Seek verbal feedback to find out how you’ve done – if it’s great then ask for your clients to spread the word and if you haven’t look to remedy the situation. If you do, then think what this will do to developing true trust in you.

About the Author

Louise Yates provides free advice on running successful business networking events and getting the most out of business networking events

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