Tag Archive for: networking

Networking On Instagram

 

There are many ways to grow your networks, connect with others and do viable business while building quality relationships. Networking does not have to be in person but can also be done via internet, apps and other online avenues. Social media, in particular, is a tremendous way to engage with individuals, groups, companies and associations. But, like with other online platforms, savvy networkers need to learn how to make the most of their networking efforts.

Listed below are helpful tips for creating, fostering and growing communities for networking success.

Hashtags

The use of "#" are critical for Instagram efficiency and effectiveness. Once you have set up a profile, link and other information, consider brainstorming hashtags which resonate with your brand. These labels can help you connect with like-minded individuals who share your interests, skills, passions etc. It can also create trending topics which allow you to be searched and discovered. It is recommended to post with at least 8 relevant hashtags.



@ Sign

The use of "@" are equally critical for using IG to its maximum proficiency. This feature allows you to include others in your post. This activity can make your posts to not only go viral, but tap into other networks to further connect. Choose individuals, companies and organizations which can benefit from your posts, find value in your content and are able to repost to their followers / community.

Visuals

Last but not least, it is important to make your post engaging whether they are short or long. Include eye-catching photos, interesting video clips, graphics and designs to appeal to your viewers. This is an opportunity to not only be creative but promote your brand and unique identity.

Follow these instructions to master the art of networking via IG. Connect with others, grow your networks and continue to add value.

Author, Chi Chi Okezie is owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Atlanta, GA. Learn tips, tactics and techniques from the Champion Networker! Visit the SN Official Website: http://www.snseminars.com to read excerpts of her books, sign up for her newsletter, register for events and classes or visit her blog!

 

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Smart Ways to Use Your Business Card

Successful networking is "all in the cards" with these 4 strategies.

Your business card is one of the most valuable networking tools you have in your quest for increased referrals. Can you envision a reality where 20 to 30 people in your word-of-mouth marketing circle carry your cards and have them ready to hand to prospects they're actually qualifying for you? I certainly can, and am excited every time I hear someone say, "Let me give you my friend's business card; oh, and by the way, may I have him (or her) give you a call?"

The business card is the most powerful single business tool--dollar for dollar--you can invest in. It's compact, energy-efficient, low-cost, low-tech, and keeps working for you hours, weeks and even years after it leaves your hands!

Some of the things your business card does is:

  • Tell people your name and the name of your business
  • Provide prospects with a way to contact you
  • Give others a taste of your work, style and personality
  • It can be so unusual or attractive or strange or charming or funny that it sticks in the memory like a great radio or television ad
  • It can be reused, as it passes from person to person, giving the same message to each person who comes in contact with it

The two main functions of your card are to gain business from the person you give it to and to get your name out to other people with whom the first person comes in contact with via referrals. With that in mind, let's take a look at the most effective ways to use your business cards. (For a complete look at how to make an effective business card, read It's in the Cards).

Make Your Cards Accessible in Every Situation
In short, don't leave home without them! It's a great idea to keep a small box of your cards in your glove box, just in case you find yourself in a situation where you need more than you've carried in your pocket or purse. In addition to my jacket pocket, I tuck them away in my briefcase, wallet and computer bag, just to make sure I never run out.

Keep an eye on your supply. The time to reorder is before you're in danger of running out.




In addition to being sure you have your cards on hand, be sure that your networking partners always have your cards. Check with them regularly to see if they need more, and be ready to provide them with whatever quantity they say they need in order to promote you.

Seek Situations to Exchange Business Cards
There are many opportunities in which you can pass on your card to prospective clients and customers as well as referral sources you wish to develop. Some are obvious; others are not. Whenever you have a one-on-one meeting with someone new or someone you haven't seen for a while, give her your business card. At mixers and social events, be sure you have plenty of cards when you go in. These are good places to extend the reach of your network.

Conventions and trade shows are another great venue for exchanging business cards. The vendors at the trade shows are anxious for you to take their card--don't make that a one-way street. Be sure you give them your card as well.

When you visit a non-competing business that might attract the same people you would like to have as customers, ask if you may leave a supply of cards to be handed out or made available. In most cases, a business that's complementary to your own is always looking for a networking partner. An example would be a sports nutritionist leaving a stack of cards at a martial arts studio. Be creative and consider even bringing your own cardholder to leave out.

International meetings and events can provide an opportunity to give out your business cards. Consider having your card printed double-sided, with English on one side and the language of the host country of the event on the other side.

Contacts at a Distance
Whenever you communicate with someone in writing, send a card if it's appropriate to the occasion. Enclose several cards in every packet of sales material you mail out. Along with your thank-you note to the businessperson whose referral brought you a major contract, include a business card to replace the one she gave away, plus several more.

After any telephone call in which business was discussed, follow up with a letter outlining the main points of your discussion and include one or more of your cards. E-mail is a great way to follow up, but a letter will actually allow you to include your business cards.

Special Tricks of the Trade
When giving out your card, hand-write something on one copy, such as your cell-phone number, a secondary e-mail address, etc. This will give that particular card a greater chance of being held onto. Be sure you give a couple of "clean" cards to that person, as well, and ask your new friend to pass one on to a potential customer.

After you get someone's card and have ended your time with her, make notes on the back of the card to jog your memory about something special that'll help you remember her. Don't do that in front of her, or you run the risk of making the impression that you are "forgetful." If you need to record information immediately during your discussion, such as telephone numbers or other data not on the card, use one of your own cards. You don't want her to think you view her card as scrap paper upon which to take notes.

At a restaurant, leave your card with the tip and write a personal thank-you note on the back or pay the highway toll for the Mercedes behind you, and leave your card for the driver!

The main thing when handing out your card is to keep in mind what an effective tool it can be. Take maximum advantage of its full potential. And never, ever, be caught out without it. And if you need a referral to a great graphic designer and printer, contact me--I have just the card for you!

Dr. Ivan Misner is Entrepreneur.com's "Networking" columnist and a New York Times bestselling author. He's also the founder and chairman of BNI, the world's largest referral organization with thousands of chapters in dozens of countries around the world. His latest book: Business Networking and Sex: Not What You Think.

 

Networking Tip – the Elevator Pitch

Successful individuals are first, last, and always salespeople. They are constantly selling themselves and their ideas to

investors, management, co-workers, vendors, and even their families.

An opportunity to sell yourself and/or your ideas can come up on the subway, in the checkout line at the grocery store, after your yoga class - just about anywhere. To be ready to make a useful connection at any time, it's a good idea to be prepared with a short (one minute is ideal) self-promotional speech.

Known as an "elevator pitch" (because you can deliver it in the time it takes for a short elevator ride), it is meant to engage the interest of a potential contact/prospect.

Aside from introducing yourself and what you do, the elevator pitch has three important components:



1. What you can offer the other person

2. What you can offer the other person... and

3. What you can offer the other person

As with any sales pitch, make sure your "offer" is about the benefits it has for the listener. The goal is to convince the other person to want to do business with you.

Practice is crucial to delivering your pitch in a concise and effective manner. Write it down. Read it out loud. Commit it to memory. Then, while looking in the mirror, practice, practice, practice. Remember, one minute is the length you're aiming for, so don't forget to time yourself.

Here's how to deliver your elevator pitch to a likely contact/prospect:

  • Have your business card in an easily accessible place.
  • Make eye contact and smile.
  • Introduce yourself. Ask the individual what he does for a living. Now... it's "show time"!
  • Present your pitch - with enthusiasm - in one minute.

Author Bob Cox is co-founder of the first TV shopping network and the author of The Billionaire Way.

Listen to Robert's Power Surge Message next Wednesday and you'll quadruple your chances of meeting all your goals this year. Join over 700 ambitious Early to Risers who receive his inspiring, motivating and energizing advice every week as bona-fide members in ETR's Total Success Achievement Program.

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When Networking Doesn’t Work, but Real Connections with People Do

Last week’s blog about networking events not working, got me thinking about the word ‘networking’ itself. I have often thought it a rather unfortunate choice of word for a people skill deemed so important in business. Whilst you may hear that ‘networking’ may help you to run your business successfully, this word really doesn’t convey the power of people and strong relationships in business.

Indeed ‘net-working’ can at times seem slightly contrived and manipulative especially when people only start to network because they desperately need new customers or a new job. Whilst stop-start networking activities also can also add to the feast and famine syndrome in business, networking itself may be unsuccessful when speed seems of the essence. Frequently people simply fail to grasp that good relationships just cannot be rushed!

>>> read more

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Anyone can improve the way they are perceived in the market place through networking and public speaking.

And death came third

by Andy Lopata , Peter Roper

It has often been said that the two key skills for any business in the 21st Century are an ability to communicate a message - and a hungry market to communicate that message to. Now, for those outside of the corporate world, the best way to achieve these two objectives is through networking and speaking to groups.
Andy Lopata and Peter Roper have written a really handy book on how to achieve this. But the book is more than just a guide to the shy and anxious. In a very simple way Andy and Peter have explained how anyone can improve the way they are perceived in the market place through networking and public speaking.

Read more ...

or check it out at Amazon

Chutzpah 101: How to Approach Top Dogs to Sell Speeches, Sponsorships, and Products

with Ron Karr, CSP
Ron KarrWhat if you knew how to get the attention of top decision makers? How to entice them to engage in conversation, then engage your services? Would your life — and bank account — be different if you could speak directly to those who hold the purse strings, versus going through lower-level gatekeepers?

Ron is an über-salesman. He knows how to get to decision makers through strategy, courage, persistence, creativity — and chutzpah! He’ll share techniques he’s used to get to Steve Forbes, Cathie Black (CEO of Hearst Publications), Tim Ferriss (bestselling author of The Four-Hour Work Week) and many more. He’ll discuss how to adapt what he’s done so you can apply it to your situations.

You will learn:

  • how to avoid the most common mistake that prevents speakers from reaching their targets
  • the proper etiquette for networking power brokers
  • the key to leveraging relationships
  • how to create an enticing value proposition for each top dog
  • how you can generate so much conviction that you can’t not make the call — you have absolute belief you can help him/her
  • how how to uncover your prospect’s hot buttons and wrap your offer around those
  • the best ways to get through to the top decision makers

Get it all here

Networking: Wing it and you’ll flap in the breeze

It is the inevitable topic of conversation at a networking event: Tell me about your job.

When I explain my life's work -- teaching leaders to achieve their dreams through powerful public speaking -- my conversation partner often shrugs and says, "Oh, I could never deliver a speech. I get too nervous."

My response: "What do you think you are doing right now?"

Make no mistake, when you network, you are delivering a series of mini presentations. If you don't know how to put your best foot forward in these business-critical situations, you can forget about building your business or advancing your career.



Master networkers realize that attitude and preparation are vital ingredients for success. How do these pros set themselves up as winners in the networking arena? Let's examine a dynamic dozen techniques:

1. Target carefully the events to attend. Networking is a strategic endeavor. Attend gatherings that make sense for your business or career aims.

2. Craft a 15-second elevator speech. Tell people how you have helped others and, by extension, how you can help them.

3. Arrive on time and stay late. Take advantage of any pre-event time dedicated strictly to networking; this is where business gets done.

4. Don't stand in a clump of people you work with. You want new customers or a new job, right? Spend time with new acquaintances who may hold the key to your dreams.

5. Use a firm handshake and solid eye contact. First impressions are critical. Get maximum benefit from your nonverbal tools.



6. Be prepared for basic questions. Think of the times you have encountered people who stammer when confronted with softballs like, "What's new?" or "What do you do?" Have a meaningful answer on the tip of your tongue.

7. Carry a thick stack of business cards. How frustrating is it to make a solid connection, then not be able to follow up because the person's business cards were left back at the office?

8. Get others talking about themselves. I like to remind myself that I have two eyes, two ears and one mouth. Use them in proportion.

 

Related: Networking On Instagram

Smart Ways to Use Your Business Card

 

9. Limit your conversations to five minutes. If you make a positive connection, agree to meet over lunch or coffee at a later date.

10. Steer clear of the buffet table. Food between your teeth, garlic breath and no free hand to shake. Need I say more?

11. Position yourself at a traffic choke point. This raises the odds that people will have to make eye contact and -- gasp -- actually start a conversation with a stranger.

12. Follow up quickly. A brief e-mail, call, or my favourite, the handwritten note, works wonders to solidify your new contacts.

A note of caution that will contribute to your healthy attitude: Networking does not mean selling; it means relationship building. You are in for a letdown if you assume immediate results. Deals are rarely sealed at networking events, though many are born there.



One more piece of advice: Don't be a spin-your-wheels networker, frantically racing to gather as many business cards as possible. The master networker realizes quality trumps quantity. One or two solid connections are far more valuable than a dozen meaningless quickies.

Successful business leaders understand that networking revolves around a healthy attitude and plenty of preparation. That sounds like a perfect prescription to develop your next client or career move.

Ed Barks is President of Barks Communications and author of "The Truth About Public Speaking: The Three Keys to Great Presentations." Phone: 540/955-0600 Web site: www.barkscomm.com