Each time I started a mastermind group I’ve had a majority of women sign up immediately. When a woman starts a project other women are eager to contribute or lend their support. I recently joined a group of women on Linkedin that started a “FaceBook Fan Page Exchange’. Within just weeks the exchange became viral and hundreds of women joined the tribe.
Helping each other is more natural for women than for men, who usually prefer to work on their own. If you look at networking organizations you will find a group in almost every industry: women in video, women in communication, women in writing, Women Empower Network of Executive Women, ewomen Network, Downtown Women’s Club, Women’s Business Mastermind, Women Helping Women Mastermind, Women Prosperity Network, just to name a few.
If you search Women networking groups on Google you get 1,720,000 results, on the other end, I don’t know that many groups or organizations, which emphasize that they are exclusively for men entrepreneurs. Most groups are for both or specifically for women.

Why women are more committed to working with each other? It is probably because they don’t see each other as competitors, but as offering complementary services and because working with a group is much more fun. Many women have a ‘mothering instinct’, always ready to protect others as their own. Women are more likely to remember things like birthdays or anniversaries and will be more willing to send a greeting card, which shows that they care about others. Women take care of their businesses as they take care of their family.

Women owned businesses tend to offer services and products to help others to facilitate their own lives. As a coach when I create a product or program my goal is to help my clients make more money, spend less time working, and help them with more than just their professional lives. I help them with their personal lives providing tips on how to spend less time working, so that they will be able to spend more time with their family or friends, while in their professional lives they are gaining more clients and prospects.

I have been doing a lot of partnerships and joint ventures in my business for years, 95% of them are with women, it comes more natural and I know that lots of women feel the same way.

Want to learn some strategies to grow your business, doing partnerships and joint ventures with other women entrepreneurs? Download my free audio “Networking Mastery Secrets” at http://www.networkingmasterysecrets.com/

Implementing the right social media strategies and online presence will allow you to go from a local status to an international status.

Authoring a book can give you another level of exposure and it will be easier to contact the press or magazines to be featured. A press release announcing your book tour can alert local print and TV channels in every city you will be speaking. If you don’t like public speaking you can opt to be interviewed on radio stations across the country.

Using all media available today, and creating a buzz around your product or service, create credibility and attract more clients to you and you will never have to chase clients again. Plus as an expert, people will be more than happy to pay for expert services and you can increase your prices to your worth. Wouldn’t you like to enjoy a whole new list of new clients knocking on your door?

Thanks to my exposure through social media during the past few years, I have had interviews published in various magazines in the US, France and Canada. I participated in two book marketing compilations in India. Then went on to become a columnist for two business publications. I have also been interviewed by a few TV stations. All of these contacts have pursued me through social media!

Without an effective online presence, I would never have had such exposure which made me into THE international business consultant.
So how effective is your social media online presence?
Need help to become an expert and boost your online presence, turning your online visibility into profitability? Download my free audio “Networking Mastery Secrets” at http://www.networkingmasterysecrets.com/

You may have heard this before: it takes 7 additional actions to get a new client than to get a repeat client. It makes you wonder why people don’t follow-up with their clients. It is even more crucial to follow-up with your actual and former clients than with new prospects. Your clients bring you 80% of your revenue. Why would you want to concentrate your time on people who only bring you only 20% of your revenue? I am not saying that you have to neglect your prospects, but make sure to continue to build the relationship with a client after the sale. Treat your clients as you would a long-term friendship, because you want to keep them for life.

How should you build the relationship with your clients?

Follow-up with your clients on a regular basis, a minimum of once a month but better yet every week. Let them know about updates to your products, services or your general business. If they like you and trust you, the next time you will launch a new product they will be more willing to purchase it. If you don’t keep them informed, how can they know you have other products or services that can help them if you never mentioned them. It is not their job to learn more about you or keep track of your updates, but your responsibility to be on the top of their minds, so the next time they will be ready to buy, they will buy from you instead of buying from your competitor.

Statistics show that 20 to 30% of your clients will ascend to a higher product price on their own if you give them the chance. And about 50% of them will buy again if you give them the opportunity and let them know about your other products or services. Communication and consistent follow-up are not options, they are necessities.

Your raving fans are the people who will spread the word about you, your services, and about how you were able to solve their problems, and they will make other people gain interest. You want to cultivate these clients. Some people like you so much that they will follow you, show up at organized events and live conventions, like a fan will follow his/her favorite singer in a concert. The testimonials that these clients are able and willing to give you can then be used on your website. A third party review makes a bigger impact on your prospects than you telling the world that you are the best in the business. Ask if they would be willing to give you their testimonials via video. I am sure some of them will be happy to do so as it also gives them exposure.

Your clients are willing to do a lot for you, but how can you show them your appreciation?

There are numbers of ways to thank your clients for being loyal to you. First, a simple way is to send them a thank you card when they purchase your product or program. I still remember a few years ago, when I received a thank you card for one of my coaches, a couple of weeks after I purchased his program. I was so impressed that he actually took the time to write the card, put it in an envelope, put a stamp and mail it. It seams very simple, but how many people are really doing it? Then he sent me a birthday card, then a Christmas card. Don’t stop working with people who treat you like one of their personal friends. You feel special that they pay so much attention to you that you definitely want to continue to work with them and learn from them.
Call after a couple of weeks or a month after they have purchased from you, to make sure that they got the maximum of your products, and see if they have any question or ask how you can continue to help them.

Try sending a gift for their birthday or some other occasion (not as a thank you, but just to show that you care). Offer a special discount on your other product or service, which will not only give them the opportunity to learn about this product, but to take advantage of the special price.

Set up a customer loyalty program. Each time they will refer you clients, they will get points or credits and at some point, they will be able to choose a gift. This is the same concept that the credit card companies use with their rewards programs.

Offer an affiliate program. They will get a commission each time they will refer you a client, which is another great way to thank them for spreading the word about you.

Be creative and find ways to show your appreciation to your clients. This will make a big difference between you and your competitors. Simply showing your appreciation will attract more clients. More of them will stay with you for longer and they will refer you to like-minded people.

Using appreciation is a win/win situation. You are happy, your clients are happy, and you won’t have to chase clients anymore, they will come knocking on your door.

In just 5 minutes you can buy a domain name for $10 a year, sign up for a hosting company for $10 a month, start your blog for free and start posting to promote your products or services.

You don’t need a fancy blog, you just need good content. It is always ideal to have a fancy design or a custom made website, but in the meantime there are so many free themes and templates available today that you will probably find one that you want without investing a dime. You can always invest later on a customized design.

The only thing you will really need to start is a squeeze page or landing page and a blog. You can invest on a website later. Signing up to social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Twitter and others are free and get you exposure, allowing you to reach new friends, prospects and clients. Your friends are some of your greatest allies. With your squeeze page, blog and profile on various social media sites you can start promoting your business or services right away. Build your list of targeted potential clients and make sure to follow-up by email. To follow up most efficiently you will need an autoresponder starting at $15 a month. You now have most of your marketing tools in place for less than a $50 a month.

Once your online presence is set up, you will need to face the world and attend networking events. Select the event that caters to your target market. Otherwise, you will be paying to attend events that will never result in clients.

The one marketing tool you can’t skimp on is your business card. Even if you are on a meager budget do not print your business card on your own. It won’t look professional at all. Remember, you only have 10 to 30 seconds to make the right impression so don’t ruin those precious seconds with a haphazard business card. If people see that you can’t invest a few dollars or a few hours of your time on a professional representation of yourself, they will not invest, trust or do business with you.

There are plenty of resources online that offer 250 business cards for roughly $30. I don’t suggest that you buy more than 250 cards at a time, because you want to use the back of your cards as a promotional tool also, and change the message on the back on a regular basis. Last but not least, don’t try to do everything on your own, because you will end up doing very little during the day and not having enough time to promote your business.

Having a virtual assistant, even when just starting off, will help you tremendously. If you hire somebody even just for 5 hours a month to start that’s 5 hours you can concentrate on your core business instead of on paperwork. You can check online on Craigslist for example to find a virtual assistant for $10 an hour. Don’t see this as an expense but as an investment. The $100 that you will invest in your assistant will allow you to bring a lot more money since you will have more time for your clients.

You definitely can start your business on a shoestring, but be careful, this is just a temporary situation, if you want your business to grow fast, you will need to invest more at some point, in material, a new website, nicer promotional marketing tools as postcards or brochures and last but not least in continuing education. Only 10% of small business owners invest in classes, programs or coaching programs to take their business to the next level. If you are not ready to reach that goal at some point, you won’t run a successful business but just a hobby.

Do you want to learn more about how I attract clients with networking and social media? I have just recorded a 60-minute audio Networking Mastery Secrets.
Download it free here www.networkingmasterysecrets.com.

1. Social media – You’ve heard about it but are you using it at its maximum? Maybe you already have profiles on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. Are you using your exposure on the sites to promote your product or service? Post daily and communicate to your network about your business, participate in discussions, join groups, answer questions and don’t forget to always include a link to your website. Over time, your participation will show you as an expert in your field and adding your link on each entry your will drive traffic to your website and help you build your list with targeted people. Be careful not to overwhelm yourself or get stuck socializing the whole day away. 15 minutes a day can be enough to get an effective edge via social media. Don’t waste your time spending hours to get the same results you can get in just a few minutes.

2. Blogging – Do you already have a blog? Check blogger.com or wordpress.org where you can create your blog in less than 5 minutes. You can even customize your blog to fit your business image and branding. Try to post every day if possible or at least a minimum of 3 times a week if you want to attract customers and get a high ranking on search engines.

3. Write articles – Write 300 to 500 words to give valuable information to help people solve a problem while show casing your expertise. Post your writing on articles directories for a better exposure and use your articles in your newsletter, blog and on your post on Facebook and Linkedin profiles.

4. Create partnerships – Contact people that you know and trust, who have the same target market as you but are not your competitors to create partnerships. You promote them, while they promote you and you both earn money by doubling your list of potential targeted people. You can organize a seminar or teleclass together, this will expose yourself as an expert to their list!

5. Follow-up, follow-up – You probably have a bunch of business cards somewhere on a drawer or on your desk from people you met last year at networking event. Did you use those cards in anyway to build your network and grow your business? For sure if the cards stay in your drawer you won’t get any business or referrals from those people. Pick–up the phone, call them to learn more about their business, ask them how you can help them. Give them advice, resources or referrals. Meet them for a coffee, contact them on a regular basis with a phone call, a greeting card, send an article of interest, send them your newsletter, or connect them with other people. Track what you do to make sure you are always in communication with them.

Done on a daily basis just these 5 strategies, which only take a few minutes a day, will help you build your network, grow your business and won’t cost you a dime. The key to success is consistency. You will have to repeat these steps throughout your days. Create your marking plan for the year and stick to it. Fasten your seatbelt and watch the results, because 2010 is a new year , a new decade AND a new you.

If you like this article, and want more networking tips, get my free e-course “15 Ways to Maximize Your Networking Secrets” and Free Audio “Networking Made Easy” at http://www.networkingmasterysecrets.com

Biba F. Pedron, Business & Marketing Consultant, founder of Biba4Network, also knows as “The Connection Queen”, helps solo-entrepreneurs to maximize their networking results and reveal proven strategies to attract more clients and double your business with simple but effective networking system. Biba is the author of “Start Your Dream Business Today! The Proven 11 Steps to Start and Grow Your Own Business”. And “Power of Networking Secrets” a program teaching you step-by-step how to turn more networking contacts into business boosting clients in 7 simple steps.
]]> http://www.womenandbiz.com/2010/02/01/5-simple-affordable-smart-ways-grow-network/feed/ 0 http://www.womenandbiz.com/2009/11/12/close-reaching-goals-year/ http://www.womenandbiz.com/2009/11/12/close-reaching-goals-year/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:30:51 +0000 Biba Pedron http://www.womenandbiz.com/?p=537 How to reactive your network during the holidays.
The year is almost at an end – if you haven’t reached your networking goals this year, reactivate your skills during the holiday season.

Can you believe it, we are already in November! The year past so fast and there are only two months left to achieve your goals. I guess that like most solo-entrepreneurs, last January you wrote a long list of goals for the year; new things you would be excited to do, new strategies you planned to implement to get plenty of new clients and grow your business.

It is ten months later and it is time to take stock. Are you on track with your goals? Are you half way there or did you get caught in your routine and forgot all about those goals? Did your goals change since you last evaluated?
It is not too late; you have two more months to go. Don’t be overwhelmed by the holiday season. Yes, most people who do not have businesses centered on holiday goods and services slow down for the holiday season, but it is the perfect time to give a last boost to finish out the year on a high note.

Take your list back out, check it twice… No really, check each goal and rate it from 1 to 10 to see how far you are from achievement (1 being not started and 10 being complete). Select the 3 that rate the most and concentrate on those only. What could you do to reach those goals by the end of December?

What ever your goals (whether they be to get more clients, create new products, start a marketing plan, etc.) they are all related to your network. You can have the best product in the world but if you don’t have clients you have no business. You get clients simply by building your list and your network which is filled with people who like you, trust you and will work with you or refer clients to you.

How did you focus your networking this year?

How many events did you attend, how many business cards did you collect, how many follow-up meetings did you schedule, and how many new clients did you get from your networking efforts. It is time to look back on what happened since the beginning of the year. Take this opportunity to organize and update your database and formally enter your contacts on software like Act, Outlook, or simply Excel. Even if you if you are not technology savvy, make sure to take all the business cards you collected off your selves or shoes box and create a database to set up a concrete follow-up system.

How can you reactivate all of your contacts and implement your follow-up system?
Send a greeting card just to say “Hi.” Important: don’t try to sell anything, you are here to build a relationship, not to do a sale pitch. Ask them how you could help, it is ALL ABOUT THEM NOT YOU. A couple of weeks after the card, give them a call to invite them for a drink or a coffee to learn more about their business. Invite them to join you at holiday parties. Listen to what they say and take notes to find out what you can do for them. Then write your notes down to use them later in your follow-up system.

If you know that their birthday is coming up, send them a birthday card. People always like nice attention and the fact that you remember personal information about them. The recipient will be impressed and you will be number one on their list when they will need your service or will have a referral for you.

Send a Holiday card, if it is the one action you will take by the end of the year, don’t miss this opportunity. Even if you didn’t see them or spoke with them for months, it is the perfect time to reactivate the connection and come back to the top of their mind. Don’t forget to put them on your follow-up system so by next year you won’t be months without keeping in touch with them on a regular basis.

Use the last two months to effectively implement your follow-up system, if you don’t have one yet, so you will be ready to start the next year as a successful network. This strategy will give your more time to work on your marketing plan or to promote your product or service and grow your business.

The advantage of having a follow-up system in place, is that you work on it once, then your system is doing the work for you, telling you what to do with all of your contacts and when to do it. That will free up a lot of your time.

Need help to reconnect with your contacts and/or set-up your own follow-up system? Check my program “Power of Networking Secrets”, I will walk you through my step-by-step proven follow-up system, and will show you how to keep in touch with your contacts on a regular basis (even years from now) without worrying about attracting new clients every day.

About the Author

Biba F. Pédron, Business & Marketing Consultant, founder of Biba4Network, also knows as “The Connection Queen”, helps solo-entrepreneurs to maximize their networking results and reveal proven strategies to attract more clients and double your business with simple but effective networking system.

Biba is the author of “Start Your Dream Business Today! The Proven 11 Steps to Start and Grow Your Own Business”. And “Power of Networking Secrets” a program teaching you step-by-step how to turn more networking contacts into business boosting clients in 7 simple steps.

To receive her free e-course “15 Ways to Maximize Your Networking Secrets” and Free Audio “Networking Know How” visit http://www.theconnectionqueen.com

Attracting new clients in this economy can be a challenge. You need to be creative and change or adapt the way you get those new clients.
You heard it before “if you always do the same things, you will always get the same results.”

I have a simple, easy to implement strategy you can use to see instant results:
Package your product or service to respond to your market without the obstacle of price. Lots of small business owners struggle to sell their products because they are afraid or unconformable speaking about price. I can relate, I was one of them few years ago.
When I started my French consulting business, helping French people start their businesses in the US, at first I didn’t really know how much to charge for my services. I could not price compare because no one else was offering the same service. I decided to start with a price of $99 based on my assumption that people wouldn’t be willing to pay more. During my consultations, when asked about price, I would shyly state the price of $99, but quickly state that if that was too much, there was still room to negotiate. Surprisingly, even though I thought the price was very low, I was struggling to get clients. Then with the help of one of my coaches, I learned to become more confident. I was a sales person selling other people’s products for years, but for the first time I had to sell my own services and it was a completely different story.
I was offering services that would save them time and money so if I could package my services the value would be understood. And if the value is understood, I have to speak about price. That is exactly what I did and I raised my fees from $99 to $1000 within two years. And today my higher priced package is around $10.000 and I have absolutely no problem getting clients.

Why?

I know the exact value of my experience and what I can offer my clients. I don’t have to promote my services, my clients are doing it for me. Testimonials have much more value than any ad in a newspaper. Plus I found a way to do consultation without ever mentioning price. I offer a 30-minute free consultation, to study the clients’ cases, and give them information on what to do and how to do it. During those 30 minutes, the new clients get a chance to know more about me and the services I can offer; they can see that I know what I am talking about and that I am their problem solver. In fact, I was in their shoes a few years ago – a foreigner starting a business in the US. I worked my way through with success and taught hundreds of people to do the same and I can teach them exactly what to do. At the end of the consultation, when they ask me for my price. I don’t mention any number, I just tell them that I will send them a report with all the steps they will need to start their business, including the various packages I offer.

We do not discuss price during the first consultation. If I haven’t heard back after the consultation, I wait a couple of weeks and then call back and ask if they have any questions about the report, or additional questions about their business. Once again, I still don’t mention any price. They have already received the offers; they know the cost of my services and are ready to start the process; and they realize during the free consultation the value of my one-stop-shop service, and how much time and money they will save by having me guide them.
If you speak about the price right away, you may lose clients because of the fees, therefore, change the way you present your services. If you offer various packages, your potential clients will always find one that fits their needs. If they don’t have a big budget, they will get the basic package, and if they want more they will take or upgrade to your premium or silver or gold packages.
The most important is to attract them to your funnel, and have various products or services to upsell and bring them to the next level, which means more money for you and more products for them.
Using this strategy, you never have to mention any price, so you can concentrate more on the value that you are providing. If you are passionate about your business, you won’t have any problem explaining the value and the benefit of working with you.

Repackage your products or services and make at least three different offers so that the price will never be an issue again. By using this strategy, I don’t have to take my shy voice, and I don’t negotiate any of my prices anymore. I know about the value of my services, and I am very confident about them. If someone does not see the value, they are not the right client for me. Read my article “The Power of NO to Attract More Clients” to learn how to attract only the right clients for your business, even if you have to say no and refuse clients some time.

To learn more strategies like this one, on How To Turn More Networking Contacts Into Business Boosting Clients In 7 Simple Steps check http://www.powerofnetworkingsecrets.com/

About the Author

Biba F. Pédron, Business & Marketing Consultant, founder of Biba4Network, also knows as “The Connection Queen”, helps solo-entrepreneurs to maximize their networking results and reveal proven strategies to attract more clients and double your business with simple but effective networking system.Biba is the author of “Start Your Dream Business Today! The Proven 11 Steps to Start and Grow Your Own Business”. And “Power of Networking Secrets” a program teaching you step-by-step how to turn more networking contacts into business boosting clients in 7 simple steps.

To receive her free e-course “15 Ways to Maximize Your Networking Secrets” and Free Audio “Networking Know How” visit http://www.theconnectionqueen.com

I started my sale career in 1984 as a sale representative for a famous French appliance supply company. For just under two years I managed their booth at the Galleries Lafayette in Paris. That was long time ago and so many things have changed ever since. But that is another story.

I started working with absolutely no sales experience. Previously I studied law for two years, but didn’t really liked it so ended up taking the first job I found. No one taught me how to sell, but the brand was so famous that I didn’t really have to work hard. People came to the booth, I explained how the product worked and it sold itself. I had some competition, but because of the brand recognition I was always the one with the biggest sales number.

After my first sales job I became a sale representative for an office supplies company. This time I had some sales training. Although, selling pens, pencils, papers or inks is really not complicated. My clients were corporations; they needed and used supplies every month. I just had to visit them on a regular basis and take the orders. It was so easy that after about a year after I built my clientele, I was working only 4 hours a day, 4 days a week and the money was pouring in.

A few years later even though the money was great, I got bored to being a sales rep. I wanted more responsibility and I wanted to focus on something that interested me. I became the sales manager for a smaller company where I felt I could make a difference. Since this company was smaller and had more competition and didn’t have the extensive advertising budget I had been accustomed to, I had to work harder. Even though I had to work harder, I realized that everywhere I went, people were always telling me the same thing: they liked my style compared to other sales people, because I never tried to push a sale but always advised them on what they should order.

In 1998, I started my own business, this time I was not selling a product, but services – my telemarketing services. I had to find a strategy to show the differences between my services and my competitors. I kept the same strategy: advise, but never push a sale. This perspective works because customers don’t feel pressured; they know I’m confident and that I’m capable of getting the job done. My job is to promote their businesses. The clients understand I will use the same strategy promoting their products and will get the same results. Clients will buy their products because of the way I was presenting them and not pushing them.

In 2003, I started my second business teaching clients how to grow their businesses by networking and organizing events. Once again, I didn’t have any networking training when I started but I learned how to adapt my previous business strategies to get the same results. To this day, this is exactly what I do, I advise people instead of selling to people.

I teach people how to use proven strategies to attract clients instead of chasing clients.

Don’t try to sell your product or service. Promote your free offer instead. What goes through your mind when you go to a networking event and someone that you just met three minutes ago tries to sell you something; You don’t like it, right!  You don’t know the salesman’s reputation, product or service and no one referred him to you. You can’t rely on testimonials about the benefits of his goods or services as you haven’t had time to check. So think about it when you are the one tying to sell to others. It has the same effect, they don’t like it.

On the other hand, if you offer a sample of your services to your new contacts or prospects; if you offer them a free report, free CD, or free consultation, they have time to get to know you and your products, who you are, what you do, how you do it. They have time to check your references and decide if your product or service is right for them. They will be very confident with you, or they will refer people to you, because they know you and trust you.

I have 25 years’ ’sales’ experience, but I’ve never liked to sell. I inform, guide and teach people about the products or services I have to offer. I much prefer to have people coming to me to buy my products or services than trying to push them or to beg them to buy my services. The level of relationship is very important; it is crucial.

Once you have set up your free offer, don’t expect people to buy from your the next day. You need a follow-up system to keep in touch with them on a regular basis. You must continue to deliver free advice, for example: articles, free tips on your newsletters to further build the relationship. Show people what you can do for them and people who can use your product or service will begin to purchase within few weeks, or few months but for others it might take a few years. People will buy from you when they will be ready, and when they will need your product or service – They won’t buy just because you want them to buy. If you have a follow-up system in good working order, clients will buy from you instead of from someone who doesn’t communicate with them on a regular basis. Keep your customer base informed over and over. It is your job to keep reminding people about your services and not their job to remember about you and your business. Try it. Promote your free offer to bring people into your marketing funnel, build the relationship and you will attract a lot more clients.

Need help attracting new clients?

Then get a copy of “Power of Networking Secrets”.

I’ve outlined each strategy step-by-step, so you too can implement them right away to get results.

I’ve included a workbook with an assignment after each strategy, just follow the program one step at a time, so you won’t get lost and will attract more clients.

You can get yours at www.powerofnetworkingsecrets.com

Biba F. Pédron, Marketing Consultant, founder of Biba4Network, also knows as “The Connection Queen”, helps solo-entrepreneurs to maximize their networking results and reveal proven strategies to attract more clients and double their business with simple but effective networking system.

Biba is the author of “Start Your Dream Business Today! The Proven 11 Steps to Start and Grow Your Own Business”. www.startyourdreambusinesstoday.com

To receive my free mini e-course “15 Ways to Maximize Your Networking Secrets” and Free CD “Networking Know How”
click here www.theconnectionqueen.com

Summertime is usually a downtime for business but you shouldn’t stop networking. Take advantage of this quiet period to be creative and network in a different way by reactivating your contacts.

Since there are less events and people have more free time, use this opportunity to invite people for a social happy hour or join groups that you never joined before. It’s a good time to explore new opportunities to meet new people in new environments for new leads.

One of my favorite places to invite people for a summer cocktail when I was in New York was the Terrace at the Metropolitan Museum. With its great view and ambiance, it’s a great place to reactivate your connections. If you play golf, tennis or run in the park, invite people to join you. If you attend free concerts in Central Park invite a group of people and introduce them to each other. Have your own party or plan outdoor events or organize “Me Time” at the spa. These are some of the creative ways to take advantage of the relaxed pace of summer and connect / reconnect with your old contacts, prospects or clients.

Very often social meetings will lead to business contacts because everyone, for once, won’t try to sell anything. Remember that everything doesn’t have to be about you or your business and it’s more important to be memorable and give the right impression. When you invite people unexpectedly and don’t try to sell them anything but instead, ask them how you can help them, the return on your networking time will be ten times more efficient.

A good networker is a good listener, so LISTEN and take mental notes to find out how you can help others (then write your notes down to use them later to follow-up). Do they need a specific contact or resource? Is their birthday or their kids’ birthday coming up, take not of the date. What if somebody mentions that his birthday is in two weeks, and two weeks later he receives a birthday card from you, this is one of the various opportunities to follow up. They’ll be impressed you’ll be number one on their list when they need your service or have a referral for you.

In addition to attending events and parties, summertime is a great period to track and check up on what happened since the beginning of the year. How many events you attended, how many business cards you collected, how many follow-up meetings you scheduled, and how many new clients you got from your networking efforts.

Take this opportunity to organize and update your database, formally enter your contacts on softwares like Act or Outlook, and set up a concrete follow-up system. Send a note card to say “hello” or “happy summer” or to invite them for a drink or to your party. Send postcard mailings with a marketing message, run a special offer or send a coupon or a special discount. Re-activate your contacts in one way or another but do it now! September it will be too late, everybody will be busy again and you’ll go back to your routine.

Need help to reconnect with your contacts and or set-up your follow-up system? Just give me two hours, and I will reveal 10 simple ways to reactivate your contacts so you can get tons of new clients by September.
Schedule your session to reactivate your network during the summer NOW

After spending the last four years organizing business networking events, I still don’t have the answer to why some people go to them.
The only goal for most people who attend networking events seems to be to collect business cards. They have the feeling of a great event if they come back home with 30 or more business cards.

How many of you follow up with everybody after each event?
How many people who you met follow up with you?
When I train people on networking, either one-on-one or in a group and ask those two questions, I usually have the same answer.
“Oh yes I follow-up, I send an email the next day”. My next question is, “What do you do after this email?” and the usual answer is, “Well, nothing, because I don’t know what to do next”.
So what is the purpose of spending two to three hours at a networking event and pay $20 to $50 each time, if it is just to go and say hello to some people who you will never contact again. Repeat the process two to three times a week, and this is a big waste of time AND money.
I recently attended a business expo, and, of course I met a number of people. I didn’t take everybody’s’ business cards, only the ones I had an interest in. I also spoke with the owners of two different booths, because they had a product I was interested in purchasing. I asked all of my questions, explained why I needed the product, gave them my card, and asked them to contact me to close the sale after the expo. This was a very easy sell for them, but guest what? None of them followed up with me or even returned my e-mails. Well, they both lost a sale, because I didn’t find them to be very professional.
I guess that if they didn’t follow-up with me, chances are that they didn’t follow-up with other people either. So what was the purpose of having a table at this expo?
What is your goal when you attend a networking event? Are you trying to get new contacts to buy your product or service, or do you give the opportunity for people to get to know you, as the first step of your networking system?
People are always surprised in my training when I say that I never try to sell anything during an event. One of my secrets is that my business card mentions, “The Connection Queen”, which usually gets me lots of comments and questions:
“How do you speak with strangers?”,
“How do you introduce yourself without being pitchy?”
“How to you leave people if you are not interested in what they are doing?”, and so on.
My only purpose is to listen to people, see how I can give them a contact, a resource, or some advice. It shows them my expertise without selling anything, but offering them to participate in my free e-course, “15 Ways to Maximize Your Networking Results”, to get the answer to all of their questions. Offering them my free e-course is a way to get them to sign-up for my weekly newsletter and get a chance to know me, trust me, and later, buy my product or service when they are ready.
I attend networking events to build a long-term relationship with people, not to collect business cards or to sell anything.

So why do you network?
Try to think of your strategy for a moment. Test different approaches; stop selling and start implementing a follow-up system. You will get much more results and will attract your ideal clients, and only your ideal clients, the ones who really appreciate your services. Clients who like and trust you, clients who respect your knowledge and experience, and, very importantly, clients who will work with you in the long term, will refer you to people like them. This means more ideal clients.