In the journey of life, we often encounter storms that challenge our resilience and determination. One such storm is the challenge of expanding our network and cultivating relationships. This article delves into the strategies and techniques that can help you navigate this storm successfully.
To broaden your network, you need to identify the right places to go, the right networking groups to join, and the amount of time you can dedicate to networking. Seek advice from your existing network about their networking strategies. Consider joining groups like alumni clubs, industry associations, and social clubs that align with your personal hobbies and interests.
When attending networking events, make the most of your time there. Be friendly, engage in conversations, and show genuine interest in others. Remember, the goal is not to sell your services, but to build rapport with the people you meet. Collect business cards and make notes on them to help you remember important details for future interactions.
If you feel nervous about meeting new people, prepare a list of conversation starters related to industry challenges, business trends, and other relevant topics. Always end the conversation on a positive note, offering your assistance and exchanging business cards.
This is where most people falter, and thus, where you can gain a competitive edge. The key to reaching your full potential lies in consistent follow-up with the people you meet. Many people attend networking events, collect business cards, and then fail to follow up, wondering why their network isn't growing.
To succeed, you need to understand what you're selling and to whom, and then commit to selling it repeatedly, often to the same person. Most sales are made after the fifth contact, and only ten percent of people have the persistence to make that fifth call. Therefore, out of 100 competitors, you're only competing against ten. Your success will depend on the effectiveness of your system for maintaining contact with potential business referrals.
Here's how to cultivate your relationships:
After networking events, you'll have a stack of business cards from people you've met. Instead of just filing them away, write a short, handwritten note to each person you'd like to develop a relationship with. This note could express your interest in their ideas and suggest a future meeting to discuss potential collaborations.
About two weeks after sending the note, call the person and suggest a meeting to explore potential business referrals. Keep in touch with your contacts every two months or so. This could involve sending them an article of mutual interest, inviting them to social functions, or suggesting a lunch meeting if you haven't seen them for a while.
Over time, you'll develop a sizable network, and maintaining contact systematically will become essential. Establish a routine for performing a set number of networking tasks each day. For example, if you have 200 contacts and want to touch base with each one every two months, you'll need to contact five people every day.
The key to successful networking is regular and consistent contact with your network. Over time, these contacts will become a rich source of referral business, and your business will grow exponentially as a result.
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