No need to shy away from business networking if you know how to do it properly. Business networking is a skill and in its most advanced form it can truly be considered an art in itself. There are some simple steps of how to learn basic business networking skills and I think that you will find them very easy to do. Nothing complicated here. I don't believe Sales as a profession should be complicated or stressful and business networking can be not only an effective means to help build your leads list, you can have lots of fun doing it!
There are many places and scenarios that you can utilize networking skills but these twelve steps of how to learn basic business networking skills will apply primarily to the typical prearranged business networking event. As you learn and practice each step you will be able to transfer your new skills into any other networking situation.
- Get Details About the Networking Event in Advance Before you attend a business networking event make sure you know the agenda in advance. Some business networking events may include appetizers and refreshments, but not all, so be sure that you have a meal before you go as it is hard to be energized about meeting new people and be your best if your stomach is empty. Also, inquire ahead of time if the host issues a list of attendees and if they do be sure to request one. Read through and study it so that you have an idea of who you want to connect with while you are there.
- Dress Appropriately and Arrive a Few Minutes Early At most business networking events the attire is business casual unless they state otherwise. Your appearance should be as polished as when you go to work or better because good first impressions make a positive impact. Wearing a dark colored blazer jacket is a good choice because it has pockets for pens and business cards and also because a name badge is more outstanding on the lapel of a jacket. Whether you are right or left handed, it is proper to shake hands with your right hand so wear your name badge on your right side so that there is a direct line of vision to it when you extend your right arm to greet someone.
- Bring Your Business Cards and Something to Write With Business cards are a must at a business networking event. You may even want to consider printing separate business cards specifically for networking events although this is not necessary. Also, bring more that just one pen to the event -- bring a few because you are sure to meet someone there who needs a pen. It is not uncommon that someone forgot to bring one, or they lost theirs or the one they had ran out of ink! Supplying someone with a pen can be a great way to be remembered and also a terrific way to say hello!
- Have Your "Opener" Prepared If you have not created your own opener yet, now is the time to do so. Always make your opener is short and sweet and practice your delivery so that it is causal and natural. Remember, the skill you want to develop here is to focus only on connecting with people and making new business relationships and not to try and sell anything.
- Decide in Advance How Many People You Would Like to Meet You can stress yourself out at business networking events if you try to do too much. You really can only comfortably meet about five people in the time you have at most events; sometimes a few less and sometimes a few more. So, decide in advance how many people you would like to meet and try not to exceed that goal.If you rush from person to person then you will have lost the idea that you are there to develop new relationships and this is done at a slower pace because relationships are built on trust; trust takes the time to get to know someone.
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