How to Network in 2023

Networking is easy

So easy that its become complicated in my view by experts who are simply selling How to network packages that get the buyer zilch.

?? It's a 3 step process in my book, turn up, chat and listen, leave and Follow Up.

It has to be said that most people are there to sell and it is rarely about relationships, although it should be. Harsh but sadly true. In my 12 years of business I have seen many a networking organisation come and go.

Some last a long time some leave quicker than a climate change conference attendee jumping on a plane ?

Networking is used for a variety of reasons. Spreading the word about what you do (selling), meeting new people (selling) busy being busy (commercial procrastination) and just skiving but spelt networking. There is of course a very valid meet people to stay sane option as well.

Let's break the 3 parts down a bit.

?? Turning Up

Be on time. Early is better to give you the chance to chat a bit longer and to get the business card in the face routine out of the way. Also gives the others the chance to email you during the event so that when you get back to the desk, office, coffee shop, you have their sales pitch on your computer. Press Delete.

Gives you the chance to find like minded people as in those who are honest enough to say why they are there. ?

Do some research ahead of the meeting if possible. Always good to see how many multi level marketers are going to be there and how many from the same entrepreneurial franchise. If you don't need energy, face cream, health pills, business coaching, real you new you coaching best not go. Harsh but again true.

?? Chat and Listen

Some events will have the dreaded 40 or 60 second round.

You will do 3 of these...the first one will be the one in your head as the introductions come around the room towards you. The second one is the one you deliver, the one you get wrong mostly. The third one is the one you wished you had given and you go over this as the introductions go past you and around the room to the start.

Basically no one really is listening and you could say anything. The best intros are normally the off the wall ones.

?? One good way to get it right is to follow this guideline, it does actually work.

Hello I'm Angus

We work with - business owners across varied sectors

Who have a problem with - getting their marketing and LinkedIn ducks in a row

What we do is - magnetise profiles so they attract the best and repel the rest to get more inbound enquiries that turn into conversations, leads and actual business

So that - you can carry on growing your business

Which means - you have less worry and more leads by working with a credible expert.

I'm Angus and would love to have a chat about your business.

? Helps if you remember to Hand it to Yourself

Picture your hand. ?

Thumb - I work with

First Finger - Who have a problem with

Second Finger - What we do is

Third Finger - So that

Little Finger - Which means

Although this works you will probably forget to do this as you listen to Rory, who has only been in business for two months tell you how his Chakra realignment process earns him 9 figures a month and you'd be mad to not buy it.?

?? Leave and Follow Up

I do like a bit of networking and use it for business but mostly to get out of the house and bit of commercial procrastination, always easy to say you've had a busy day out meeting people. There are some who go to many meetings a week, good luck to them. If it was that good one would have done...

Now you may think I'm taking a dim view of networking here. I don't meant to.

It plays a major part in many a successful business's marketing and development.

I think for the main part it doesn't work

Why?

Your delivery of your intro is poor, you spend all your time telling everyone about what you do and how wonderful it is, you don't listen. You are doing what everyone else is doing. yelling and selling...

??You pin too much hope on someone actually being there that wants your services, this rarely happens.

Networking is a long game.

The biggest mistake that is made is a simple one

There is a poor follow up process or no process.

?? Nothing will catch fire without a spark and someone you have met at a networking event will forget you sooner than someone who has forgotten you at a networking event.

You need to call them, message them, send them something in the post. if you grabbed their attention then do something to keep it. One email is not a telephone call. Two emails and telephone call is not a campaign.

You need a plan, a plan that has steps and what If's.

What if they answer the call? What would you do next? If they agree to meet what should I bring along and say? If they want to know more about the mega three week Brand Buster programme do I discount now, later or never? Do I try and close early or keep them talking?

?? Every big sale starts with a little conversion and is often lost at the start.

If you would like Rory's details for the Chakra realignment programme just ask, happy to pass on his details.

If you would like to know more about what I really do then just ask, although my profile says it all really.

Catch up networking.

#networking #marketing #sales #linkedIn