Three qualities you must master to be an effective networker:
Personal Leadership You must develop the freedom to talk with another without thinking about your needs first. This is so obvious to other people.
Management You must have a system for touching every person you meet. This is an effective follow up system. The “touch” has to be more than how to buy your product. Touching someone is leaving an impression not a brochure.
Productivity You build your activities around the end you have in mind. The most productive people are those who deliberately design their day, week, month and year around the end that they want to achieve.
Before the Meeting Plan The End
Preparing for a networking event…
You must have very clear expectations for the event. Clear expectations allow you test the effective use of your time.
Who do you plan to meet? What do you plan to contribute? What will you do to follow up? Do you have these clear expectations in your mind as you plan your day?
You must know exactly what you expect to accomplish in your business. You need a clear picture of not only the end of the event, but the end of your business.
You line up every activity with how that accomplishes your goal (this is another topic, but you see how important this is right here).
Creating a clear mental image:
Imagine the person you want to meet. Who do you want to meet? Build a profile of that person. You don’t need a name, but you need a profile.
Create an image of you that you will project. Is that image more impressive than your brochure?
Imagine the conversation you will have. Are you listening or talking? What is the last thing you are going to say? What is the last thing you want them to say?
Create an image of your follow up plan. What will be your next step? How will you leave the meeting so you can reach your desired goal?
Testing your results is the difference between a business and a hobby:
Were the people you want to meet at this event? If not, was there a reason for this?
Were you able to connect with them in a meaningful way? Some events don’t make it easy for you to connect on a meaningful level.
What was the last thing that they said? The last thing a person says is usually the most important indication of your future connection.
What is your plan to follow up? Do you plan to test that as well?
Do you think this event justified your time? Not all events will be a profitable use of your time. Choose them wisely.
Were you impressed with the quality of people that you met at this event? You should never be the smartest person in the room.
Were you able to connect to the leadership of the event? Oftentimes the easiest person to talk with is the keynote speaker or the event organizer. What do you gain from them?
Your action is the key…
Think about your end result.
What do you want to accomplish?
Can you picture in your mind the ideal person for you to meet?
What will you say to him/her?
What difference would that make to them so they want to continue the conversation beyond the meeting?
Are you disciplined enough to give value without keeping score?
Have you developed a system for staying in touch?
What priority do you place on the next event you go to?
To whom will you be accountable for these results?