December Workshop:
Networking can be an effective activity to build new connections and grow relationships with your current contacts. To be successful at networking, you need to do more than just show up at an event and hope for the best. Someone who is successful when it comes to developing business through networking implements a strategy, so that they can be productive when it comes to leveraging their networking activities into new business.
Below are the top tips to effectively generate new opportunities from networking events:
1. Set goals: Before attending the event, set specific goals for what you want to achieve from the event. Goals could include outcomes such as meeting certain people, developing relationships with potential strategic partners, or finding new business opportunities.
2. Dress appropriately and bring breath neutralizers (gum/mints): Dress professionally and appropriately for the event. Remember that you are representing yourself and your business, so make a good impression.
3. Bring business cards: Make sure to bring plenty of business cards to hand out to people you meet. In addition, bring a pen or pencil so that you can make notes on the back of the business cards you collect. After each conversation, make sure to jot notes on the back of the card so that you will remember the conversation the next day. For those who don’t like to carry cards, make notes on your mobile phone or in your CRM to help you with your future follow up.
4. Be approachable: Smile and make eye contact with people. Look for groups of people standing together and approach them with a friendly introduction. Ask permission to enter the group and start the conversation. Don’t be the person who is forcing their business card on everyone within the first ten seconds of conversation.
5. Listen actively and be curious: When talking to people, listen actively and ask questions to show your interest. This will help you build relationships and learn more about their businesses. This will also help you to customize your elevator pitch to the people you are speaking with when you introduce yourself.
6. Develop an effective elevator pitch: Have a prepared response when people ask what you do and who you want to meet. Discuss the problems that you solve for your clients and paint a picture describing a good prospect or client. When you finish describing what you do, end with an open-ended question to engage the person or people you are talking with.
7. Follow up: After the event develop a follow up plan. All your follow up should take place within two business days of the event. Identify which people it makes sense to follow up with. Make a call or send a personalized email or LinkedIn message thanking them for their time and scheduling a time to have a follow up conversation.
8. Attend regularly: Attend networking events regularly to build relationships and stay connected with people in your industry. This will help you strengthen relationships and stay up to date on industry trends and opportunities.
Networking effectively is a valuable skill that can enhance your sales efforts. If you are interested in a free consultation to determine if Polin Performance Group is the right resource to teach you how to network and grow your business, please click the “book a consultation page”, email us at evan@polinpg.com or call us at 215-970-2360.
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Polin Performance Group provides proven strategies to increase sales, maximize performance and increase revenue for your B2B business. Our Business Development Services include Sales Coaching, Sales Training, Sales Consulting and Process Development, Workshops, and Fractional Sales Management.
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