Networking is about reaching out to your peers and building relationships. It is becoming too common a mistake that people only try to reach out to find business leads or sell products. It is a matter of course that ones' business is a major driving force behind building up their networks but it should not be your only purpose.
There are 7 factors, that when brought together successfully can greatly increase your abilities to successfully reach out and broaden your base of contacts. There is no one factor that is more important than another, but learning to combine them effectively will assist you in mastering small business networking and also generate a higher level of quality business leads. The central aspect of the 7 factors is the necessity of working on and individual basis and the relationship, the rest will drop into place.
Networking for Business Leads - Personality
When you first approach someone to begin a networking relationship you need make sure that you will communicate effectively and openly - that means being authentic. Show that you're enthusiastic and genuine while expressing real interest.
Networking for Business Leads - Body Language
It is an effective and complimentary way to show that you're interested to listen carefully and ask appropriate questions during the conversation. To stay engaged let your contact have the floor, show interest but let them talk . People enjoy talking about themselves and by letting them you allow them to build the bridge from their end. Maintaining an air of real interest is an important way to foster a business relationship. Try to leave your other problems at the door and focus on the contact in front of you. Don't discuss other clients because sooner or later your contact will wonder if you are talking about them with other people.
Networking for Business Leads - Focus
If a conversation starts haring all over the place it can be hard to remember it. Find some points of interest in what your contact is bringing up and try to keep the conversation focused on these things. You can then expand the conversation and explore it a little bit.
Networking for Business Leads - Connection
During the conversation you'll likely come across topics of interest. Grab those because those a strong connection points. This flows back to the point of Focus. When you find a topic that resonates with both of you (or everyone in the conversation) use that to cement the relationship for a better chance at building good business leads
Networking for Business Leads - Visualization
Whether you think it's new age babble or you read about it in a scientific brief about neural plasticity positive visualization does work. Human beings are unique in the degree to which we can influence our own thought process by thinking. When you visualize confidence and imagine yourself being confident and successful you will start to carry yourself differently. Much like the story "Catch Me if You Can." where the fellow used mainly confident banter and attitude to convince everyone he was an airline pilot, you can also influence peoples reaction to you by presenting an air you visualize yourself possessing.
Networking for Business Leads - Invitation
Even if you don't want to immediately offer a meeting or make business proposals right away you should follow up relatively quickly. The follow up is an important part of cultivating business relationships. You can invite them to a formal or informal lunch, maybe coffee or just a casual meeting to keep the door open.
Author Resource:
Referral Vault offers business owners with unique opportunities to leverage their brand and build lasting relationships through Washington DC Business Networking groups. Discover how you can gain targeted Washington DC Business Leads in your market today.
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