Transcript Document

Gregg Burkhalter– Digital Marketing Consultant
The Art Of Business Networking
In A Digital World
What Is Networking?
: the exchange of information or services among individuals,
groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive
relationships for employment or business
What Is A Network?
: a group of people or organizations that are closely connected
and that work with each other
Why Should I Network?
• Most business is done these days as the result of
relationships.
• It helps keep your brand “out there” and perceived as active
and viable.
• It gives you the opportunity to help other businesses, who in
return, help you.
• You improve your people and communication skills which will
help you as you deal with your customers.
• What might happen to your business if you don’t network?
Where Should I Network?
• FORMAL: There are networking groups who meet on a weekly
or monthly basis. These groups are either “closed” or “open”
networking. Annual and monthly fees may be required.
• INFORMAL: You can also make valuable networking contacts
at civic, church, school and community events. Everyone you
come in contact with is potentially a networking opportunity.
As a general rule, people enjoy talking about themselves so
your genuine interest in them and their story tends to relax
them (removes barriers) and leads to a nice conversation
where a solid network connection is made.
Formal Networking
Informal Networking
Which Events Are Best For Me?
• Each networking event has its own personality. The more
“structured” events are usually held just before the work day
begins or during work hours. At these events, you are given
the opportunity to do your 60 second elevator speech.
• The more “casual” networking events are usually held after
work (and are often referred to as “Business After Hours”).
These events feel more like a reception than a meeting. You
will not be able to do your elevator speech to this group but
will be giving brief snippets of it to every single contact you
make at the event as you build the networking relationship.
Networking Meeting
Business After Hours
Networking Attire and Etiquette
• You should be dressed neatly in professional attire
appropriate for your particular business or industry.
• Wear a name badge. It should be pinned on your right chest.
• Bring plenty of business cards. Your card should be
professionally printed (no Vista Prints) and contain your
CORRECT contact information along with your company’s
website address. It should represent your company well.
• Plan to arrive a few minutes early for the event and remain
several minutes afterwards to allow ample time to make
connections and building relationships.
You’re Here… Now What?
• Browse the room to see if there are any familiar faces. The
people you know can provide background information on this
particular networking group and can introduce you to some of
their contacts in the room whom they feel you should meet.
• Approach people with the attitude of learning more about
their company to see if you or your network can help them.
Ask open ended questions (not yes/no) and listen to them
intently (don’t fake interest).
• Then tell them about yourself, exchange cards and excuse
yourself to continue working the room. Talk to as many
people as you can without being ‘short’. (Maybe 10 per hour).
The Event’s Over… Now What?
• When you get home from the networking event, you should
review the business cards you received (while all the
conversations you had are still fresh in your mind).
• You should decide how you’re going to follow up with your
new contacts. Will you send them a request to connect on
LinkedIn? Will you drop them an email to say thanks and set
up a one-to-one meeting to learn more about their business
or is a phone call in order. (You should have a sense which is
best for each particular person based on the interaction and
conversation you had with the individual).
Why Connect On Social Media?
• Let your business network know that you have a new
connection. (Meeting one well-networked person can expose
you and your brand to thousands in the business community.)
• Relationships are about helping others first so let your new
acquaintances have access to your network of professionals
by adding them to your social network connections.
• You should stay up to date on your contacts by viewing their
latest activity on your social media’s news feed.
• Promote your new contacts by “liking” or “commenting” on
their postings. This shows your desire to help their business.
One-On-One Meeting
Nurturing Your Network
• You’ve connected, had a one-on-one (or spoken on the phone)
and determined there is really nothing either can do for the
other right now. The end, right? NO! You should retain and
maintain this relationship by reaching out periodically and
staying interactive with their social media postings.
• Your network continues to grow as does theirs so there might
be opportunities in the future for the relationship to expand.
• Continue to make new relationships with the same zeal as
your first connections. Your next new connection might be
the one that sends your business to the stratosphere!
The Future Of Networking
• “Facial Networking” will continue its merge with “Social
Networking”.
• Quality networking in the digital age must include actively
promoting your networking contacts via your (and your
connections) social media channels.
• Likewise, your networking connections should open up their
social media pipeline to promote you and your business.
• The numbers are in your favor when you have a healthy mix
of traditional and social media networking in action.
Planning Your Networking Month
• www.joelslist.com
• www.gwinnettnetwork.com
Do you have any questions, tips or suggestions?
We Need Your Help!
●
If you enjoyed this presentation, please do the following:
●
Like us on Facebook & share our stuff
– Follow us on Pinterest and re-pin our stuff
– Follow us on LinkedIn & like our stuff
– Connect with us on Google+ and share our stuff
– Follow us on Twitter & share our stuff
So, basically, please share our stuff!
●
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
–
network