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How To Network Your Way To Success for the Home Based Business
By Lorraine | June 18, 2007
“Successful people do not achieve success on their own, they surround themselves with a well-developed, sophisticated support network. In a world that grows more complex and more competitive each day, networking is necessary not only for survival but for high achievement”…excerpt from the best-selling book “Masters of Networking”.
Running a home based business can be isolating, so it is very important to make the effort to get out and network with other business people. Not only is it good for you socially, networking is an excellent way to brow your home based business by meeting potential prospects.
Observing many people when I’m out and about attending various business related functions, I’m convinced that so many of them do not realize how powerful it is to make the effort to meet others and network. Particularly those people who have a home based business can feel challenged having to force themselves to interact more.
Networking is great for your home based business … if you do it right and have a system in place to follow up.
Secret No. 1
The successful networker always carries their business cards with them. They have stacks of cards in their diary, purse, wallet, all bags…briefcases, laptop, handbag, car and office.
Before they step outside the front door in the morning, they check they have their business cards.
They know their card is a crucial promotional tool and ensure that the information on it clearly says what they do, has all their contact details and the design is attractive. The super successful networker likes to stand out from the crowd and will have a card that stands out too. Often they’ll have a photo of themselves on it and information on the back stating what they specialize in.
Secret No. 2
When you meet the superstar networker they will ask you questions about yourself and your business and they will genuinely LISTEN TO YOU. They will focus their attention on you and maintain eye contact. They will ask you for your business card and offer you one of theirs.
Secret No. 3
The successful networker will write on the back of your business card where they met you and a couple of key points about you, so they remember who you are. They may do that immediately afterwards or later that day.
Secret No. 4
The superstar networker may provide you with a contact to help you and will expect nothing in return as they know what goes around comes around.
Secret No. 5
The successful networker will have a follow-up system. They will enter the details of the relevant contacts they have made into their database and communicate with those people within a couple of days. They’ll ring or send an email, card or letter saying it was great to meet you, include information of the goods/services they offer which may benefit you. If they sent you information they’ll FOLLOW-UP usually by phone a couple of days later.
Secret No. 6
The successful networker knows that the power of networking is in building relationships. They will stay in touch with you via an occasional letter,email, phone call or newsletter.
Get Connected And Get A Serious Return On Your Investment
Never underestimate how powerful networking is for your home based business. It works if you work it. I know because it has played a huge part in the success of my own business.
Unfortunately many businesspeople waste their time, energy and money attending events because they don’t know how to network effectively to get results.
They usually take your business card, promise to get in touch and never do! Or they get back to the office with a handful of business cards and throw them in a drawer, never to be seen again!
Now you can learn how to make the most of your time and money and learn from the people who specialise in this area.
Global Networking Specialist Robyn Henderson is a living testament of how powerful the skill of networking is.
Both Robyn and I have recognised that so many people would benefit from knowing not only how to network but how to manage their time so they can be far more successful from their networking efforts and get a serious return on their investment.
In response to this need, we’ve produced a brand new product entitled “Get Connected” - Timesaving Techniques for Serious Networkers see www.office-organiser.com.au
The Final Word
Make the most of your opportunities in the future, avoid the isolation of running a home based business, learn how to network effectively on an on-going basis and you will see the dramatic impact it will have on your business.
Topics: Success Strategies |
June 19th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Great stuff Lorraine! And I’ve just tagged you. See http://vadirectory.net/blog/?p=197 for the details.
Regards,
Kathie Thomas
July 10th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
business cards is good for offline, but why just pass out your card to people that will not be interested? example going to a food store and passing out your card, there maybe a slim chance that no one will even bother with it
but go to a networking convention there will be aa more high ROI than at a food store
July 10th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Hi Ian
There’s far more to business than giving out cards. You need to build relationships.
There is a real art to networking effectively and turning connections into business.
Have a look at http://www.office-organiser.com.au/Products/Supercharge-Your-Networking-Skills.php
Regards
Lorraine
November 27th, 2007 at 5:34 am
Hi Ian,
One of the mistakes people often do is to distribute business cards the moment somebody is introduced or comes across without getting to know whether the other person is interested to relate to you!
I read somewhere that you need to address the new person with his name quite often during the conversation and also see whether he does so. This makes one to remember the name. If that person doesn’t call you by name, remind him to do so and make him do so!
Try to be the first to request for his contact number and start noting down his name in your small diary - this shows you are giving him importance. Then see if he gives his card. If he gives, you reciprocate. Later on, call him 3 or 4 times on the phone and see if he remembers.
I got a lot of response to my home based business lensonly by responding to my guests quickly - many have come back to again post comments! Just see:
http://www.squidoo.com/makingmoneymadeeasy