3 Tips to Improve Your Networking Skills
Are you a new business owner who would like to improve your networking skills? Are you looking for strategic collaborators and entrepreneurs to expand your network? Would you like to learn the strategies I use to grow my business across the country?
Amazing CEO is a business consulting firm that accelerates CEOs and Key Executives to scale their businesses and increase their impact. We help leaders across the country to grow their business and reach their ideal clients. A crucial element to their success is effective networking.
You either love to network or you hate it. Either way, you have to do it. We no longer live in the days of “build it and they will come.” It’s more like: build it, market it, network, and they might come! You have to be persistent and strategic in your networking efforts to grow a successful business.
You don’t want to be so entrenched in the daily operations of your business that you neglect your growth strategy. You need others to help you grow your business, attract new clients and make strategic introductions. Entrepreneur Keith Ferrazzi once said, “The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity." Ask yourself, how can I add value to someone I would like to build a relationship with?
If you think in a posture of service and support to grow your network, then people will find a relationship with you to be valuable. The more you give, the more likely you will receive. You never know when an opportunity might present itself where your services will be of need. You need to be prepared with an abundant network. Here’s three tips to help you expand your network:
- Always hand out your business cards. Don’t be that person caught saying, “Oh, I just ran out of my cards!” Granted it does happen, but you always find yourself regretting these moments. Be prepared and ready to network. Leave a strong impression with new contacts.
- Attend industry conferences. Where do you think potential clients are hanging out? Where are your mentors hanging out? Expand your network by attending industry conferences to help strengthen your business and expand your relationships.
- Follow-up with new connections. The power in a sale is always in the follow-up. The power of a relationship is the genuine care for the connection and following-up. Make yourself memorable to new contacts by following-up with a “nice to meet you” message after you have connected.
Follow these three tips and you will be equipped to expand your network. Remember: it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. As cliche as it may be, it couldn’t be more true! What networking questions do you have for me? Leave your questions in the comments below. Otherwise, please subscribe to my YouTube channel here for more business tips.