You have no idea what people can do for you, if you ask them to help you. And it all boils down to the fact of how generously have you networked with them, over the time you partnered with them. Despite the fact, there are so many marketers avoiding this simple, straightforward practice. Whatever may the reason being, there has been no condolences to me, as to why people resist networking, knowing sales and marketing can be so cost prohibitive and where networking provide such great returns for a small monetary investment.
Business Networking – Where does it Start – Your Target Market?
So let’s say if you choose a networking group that focuses entirely on your target market, you are likely to be in a group of people who are a lot like you. It definitely sounds good, doesn’t it? Well it actually is not. Reason, this shall limit the size of your network, and the diversity as well. Never assume that someone belonging to different industry or social group or target market you can’t know or do business with, as you never know who they know.
Networks tend to form naturally among clusters of people who like and know each other. But for a solution of a powerful network you would like to know different kind of contacts. Diversity is the key in a referral group.
Unusual ways of Starting Usual Relationships
Trade shows and conferences are not the only places to find and build valuable relationships. Let’s check out some unusual places to start, build and develop relationships. Did Golf surprise you, wait until as we reveal some more out of the order places to talk business with – Gym has been the new craze!!
• At Sporting Events:
Sporting events like day care facilities create an instant common ground to strike conversations with prospective customers. Walk early and scoop out the scope with the crowd.
• The Bar:
Well old, new, young, on moods and off moods everybody shall hit this place once in a while and no matter with due course of passing time they shall become your continued set of start networkers.
• Over the Flight:
A couple of hours on a plane over the flight present a rare opportunity to be a little quiet, put a little thought behind your approach, an in flight chat could yield great business efforts.
• Over to the kids:
For a parent, few decisions are more important that their child’s educational or day care facility. That level of like-mindedness creates a community of parents that feel very connected to each other. A lot of facilitation centre assists to create convenient connection through social and business interactions.
Take it, Give it back
When you create a strong referral network, you’ll want to able to give lots of referrals to them as well. You’ll need a wide sphere of influence within which you have sustainable credibility, so as they need things in their life, you can refer them.
It’s not the breadth of networking that matters, it’s the breadth and depth of the relationships that are most important.
Sources:
Linda Mentzer is a published author and senior marketing manager for an information management company that has helped sell thousands of software products on a global scale. With over 11 years of experience in electronic marketing techniques, Linda has authored articles for several leading business journals, worldwide.