6 Ways to Boost Your Networking Skills
Networking is an important skill every entrepreneur or business minded person should have. It involves relating with people in order to do business with them later. For one to grow his business, he needs to improve his networking skills. It is one of the easiest ways to get customers for a product. A good networker is also a marketer. To check your networking progress, you need to put yourself in the shoes of those you talk about your business with. You have to take into your ability to interact. One that can easily flow with people wouldn't have much problems talking to people about his business.
Your business card should your passport. You never know who you are going to meet when you leave your home, so it best to have it around every time. For shy people, business cards can help you do the talking most times. You can just leave the card and say, "check it out when you are free."
Use of social media. Most business inclined individuals have social media accounts these days, so you can reach out to them. You ought to have accounts in some of the top social networks, if not all. Also you need to be active, not just having an account that never comes online. Regular use of social media accounts - by means of posting and interacting can get you some loyal followers.
Events. Anywhere there is a group of people would be a fine place to market yourself. Try to attend events, especially those you can find like minds. If you attend an event, try to avoid sitting with regular faces. Meet new persons, so you can increase your outreach. If you spend money to attend an event, try to get the best out of it. Every penny should count.
Do not be selective. Interact with everyone. You may end up discussing with someone that doesn't need your services, but this one can help link you with someone that does. A friendly smile is always appreciated. This way the people you interact with will not easily forget you, they will remember you for something.
Make plans with goals in mind. When you give someone your business cards, you should have some expectations. If you promise to call to explain better, do. Keeping your promises shows the kind of business man you are. So you have to prove to be someone worth dealing with.
Talk about your accomplishments. You do not actually need to make it sound like you are bragging or arrogant. Simply stating some beautiful jobs you did in the past, could be a fine selling point. It will stirr up the interests of those you are discussing with.
Thanks for coming around, would appreciate your feedbacks...
I like your point about "not being selective." You never know who you are talking to. Some of the most success people I know don't really look like the stereotypical successful people.
Yeah, it's not good to judge a book by its cover.
Good article @jaff8
I would like to add 2 more points about networking at events.
I'm not too okay with being selective. Being selective could make a person miss out on a mouth-watering deal.
I think we both might be right. It comes down to the goal you have in mind when going to that event :)
I love a person who disagrees with me! That's when you can start seeing other points of view and really broaden your perspective about the subject! Thanks
@jaff8, thanks for the tips, I really learnt something there.
On the last tips, it is very important to tell others of your success story as that always serves as a motivation to your prospectives.
THANKS FOR SHARING
I'm glad you learnt something. Yeah, that's like talking about accomplishments, it makes other keen to keep the discussions going.
thank you boss
thank you jaff for the good advice on networking thank you
With love,
harj : ) xoxo
Abstract artist
(My latest artwork is "Government")
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