Podcast Episode 18 – 5 Critical Steps to Create Business Relationships Through Networking

In this episode, I give you the action plan that so many of you have been asking me for.  Here it is…The 5 Critical Steps to Create Business Relationships Through Networking.

Here is the outline that goes along with this episode

1.  Have an agenda- Have a pre-planned idea of who you are targetting and why.

2.  Identify the following individuals

• The “Obvious” – People who clearly and personally need your product or service.


• The Potential “Partners”  Those individuals who serve the same or similar market.  You have a clear potential to refer business back and forth to one another.


• The Influencer – Those well connected people that will help you because they can.  Keep in mind that:
  
  
  
  • The Influencers in a group might not be the really likeable, funny or charismatic ones.  Being fun is not enough to be considered influential.
  
  
  • Influencers seem to hold others attention
  
  
  • Influencers work hard to truly connect people
  
  
  • Influencers are involved in the community.  That “community” can be an online or offline community.
  
  
  • Influencers understand the value of social media and they have an adequate following on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and hte like.
  
  
  • Influencers promote others more than they promote themselves.
  
  
  • Influencers might have fun but are also “appropriate” especially online.
  
  
  
  

3.  Connect

• Try to have a memorable conversation at the networking event.


• Be “normal.’  Be yourself.


• Listen to what your target individuals have to say in their introductions.

4.  Follow Up

• Via email – DON’T SPAM!


• Written thank you notes


• Social Media


• Newsletter – DON’T SPAM!

5.  Meet with those individuals OUTSIDE of the networking venue

• Be up front about why you want to meet


• Don’t make it sound like a date


• Meet in an office or a public place


• Meeting can include a simple coffee, a phone call or skype!
  
  

  Business Tip of the Week

  
  

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Thank You!

Directory – Thank you to those individuals and companies that have shown their commitment to this effort and want to advertise their business on this website.  You can find those individuals in the Directory.

This podcast is on iTunes and every day people look for podcasts to listen to on iTunes.  The best way to get find on iTunes is by having lots of 5-Star Reviews.  Your reviews mean EVERYTHING to me and I appreciate them so much.  The following individuals provided some reviews since the last podcast and I am so grateful.

CBKS

AshD1214

AshD1214 mentioned this episode in her review.  It’s one of my favorites too.  Give it a listen.

If you leave a review, I’ll mention you in the podcast too!

Sponsor

I am over-the-moon about this sponsor because it is the PERFECT fit for this community.  Audible is an Amazon company and a company that provides it’s customers with audio books.  I’ve been a member of Audible for years.  I love to read, but I also love to listen to audio books.  I can entertain myself and learn new things while I drive, when I’m folding laundry, when I’m cooking, whatever!  I can’t do that if I’m reading…only when I’m listening and Audible is the company for audiobook.

Audible has been so gracious to offer this community a free trial and a free audio book to new customers.  I would suggest picking up The Go-Giver as your free book because  it is essential listening (reading) for people that want to networking.  I’ll be going over that book in a future podcast episode so you’ll want to have read or listened to it if possible.  But you can choose ANY Audible book you choose for your gift from Audible.

Click below for your free trial and book of YOUR choice.

If you prefer to read the Go-Giver for whatever reason, here is a link to the book on Amazon.

Let’s keep this conversation and learning going.

Do you have a question or tip of your own?  Add it below.