Thursday Thoughts: Networking 1-2-3, Plus 1
Everybodyâs doing a brand new dance now â and I donât mean The Locomotion. I mean Networking!
Networking has become such big business that itâs hard to keep up with all the possibilities. No matter where you live, you can attend many regularly scheduled networking events that weâre all familiar with such as Chambers of Commerce, Rotary, Lions Clubs â all about business but not structured too much â or BNI (Business Network International), which is very structured.
Then there are some really good local ones in southeastern Mass. and Rhode Island that just came to life a few years ago such as 4th Monday Networking (which I co-owned with Bob Salvas for a couple of years), 6 Degrees Networking, Womenâs Business Network (WBN),  South Shore Womenâs Business Network (SSWBN), and Mass. Professional Networking.
Business pros flock to these events, confident in their ability to SCORE big by finding great clients and contacts. They cheerfully pack their jacket pockets and/or briefcases with business cards, handouts, toys â all to attract people to themselves and persuade those people to BUY!
Sad to say, many go home time after time without having made a sale and finally quit networking, convinced it doesnât work.
But it does if we know how to work it.
Here are three tips that can help you make the most of networking events.
I can hear you now: âBut if I only put my first name on the badge, no one will know what I do!â Well, you could start a conversation, couldnât you?
But the biggest reason for just your first name is that you do not want people leaning in THAT close to your body to read a business card on your chest or shoulder. Talk about invading your personal space . . .
He suggested that we collect cards, talk to others about THEIR business, and focus on helping those people make great connections. It makes us stand out from most of the others at any event. And of course we make an even stronger impression when we follow up with an e-mail that has our contact info in our signature. (You do, don't you?)
And hereâs the âPlus 1,â an idea that I learned from Dr. Ivan Misner, founder of BNI, an organization I was a part of (as a member and director) for over 10 years:
Networking is about farming, not hunting. Plant seeds, nurture them, and youâll reap the harvest.
I wrote this in February 2015, but I think it's even more necessary today due to the phenomenal rise of social media. Many of us have forgotten how to act with real, live people, and it's costing us lost sales and clients.
Sarah Elkins figured that out last year, creating the first annual No Longer Virtual (NLV) event, held in February 2017, for many of us connected on social media. It was marvelous to finally meet others whom we'd only written to or maybe talked with!
Are you a successful networker? Do you have a tip to help others?
*****
Thanks for taking the time to read this post. If you learned something, I hope you will . . .Â
Find it relevant and/or share it, so your connections can see it and perhaps learn too.Â
Comment, so you can be seen by my connections. You never know who would be interested in YOU! (Ask Deb Helfrich how well it worked for her!)Â
**********
***********
Do the associates in your company look and sound as smart as they are? They would if they could take one of my Brush Up on Your Skills workshops right where they work. If your company hires outside experts to teach any topic to its associates, I would appreciate your sharing my posts and website with your Human Resources or Training Manager.Â
Are you a member of an association or other group that is looking for a speaker for one of its meetings? There are many communication-based topics that would create a lighthearted and interesting presentation.Â
Articles from Susan đ Rooks, The Grammar Goddess
View blogYes, of course I made the word up! · But it occurred to me over the past week that we really need to ...
Aha, and you thought I wouldnât keep up my end of the bargain to return to the Tuesday Tricksters fo ...
I just got a new subscription to Time magazine, something I hadn't had in years. Thanks to a friend ...
Related professionals
You may be interested in these jobs
-
Shop Helper 1st And 2nd Shift
Found in: SonicJobs Direct Apply US - 5 days ago
Direct apply
Aerotek Cambridge, United States Full timeSHOP HELPER NEEDED ON 1ST SHIFT $18/hr- $20/hr · ENTRY LEVEL JOB OPPORTUNITY · Description: · Will be cutting bar stock, doing basic inspections, loading parts on pallets, and staging material for the machinists and welders · Skills: · production, Material handling, Metal finishi ...
-
Lobby Ambassador
Found in: beBee S2 US - 4 weeks ago
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center Nashville, United States Full timeAdditional Information Open availability required · Job Number · Job Category Rooms & Guest Services Operations · Location Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, Tennessee, United States VIEW ON MAP · Schedule Part-Time · Located Remotely? N ...
-
Travel Nurse
Found in: Talent US A C2 - 1 day ago
Ventura MedStaff Geneva, United StatesVentura MedStaff is seeking an experienced Long Term Care Registered Nurse for an exciting Travel Nursing job in Geneva, NY. Shift: Inquire Start Date: 05/07/2024 Duration: 13 weeks Pay: $1394.9 / Week About Ventura MedStaff: · Founded in 2018 and located in Omaha, Nebraska, Ven ...
Comments
Susan đ Rooks, The Grammar Goddess
6 years ago #6
And that amazes me, Paul \! I can't remember a time when you weren't here on social media! It seems as though I've been learning from your posts since my first days on LI, and I started in December 2014.
Susan đ Rooks, The Grammar Goddess
6 years ago #5
Absolutely, Aaron Skogen! It would be such a pleasure! Any way I can help, I will. I'll send you my landline number in a private message, OK?
Joyce đ Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee
6 years ago #4
Heard about Hemingway Editor. I might try that, too. I'm such a creature of habit and loyalty. I find it hard to break from paths I have created for myself. I read Hemingway a bit, but his lack of commas irks me. Wonder, at times, how he got away with it. I remember the days when I tried what I thought were stylistic excursions only to come to the conclusion I was simply breaking the damn grammar rules.
Joyce đ Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee
6 years ago #3
Grammarly, Aaron Skogen. Grammarly. Great aide. Picks up the most obvious and lets you make the decisions.
John Rylance
6 years ago #2
Pascal Derrien
6 years ago #1