How Creative Are You At Networking and Promoting Your Business/Br

[Power Lunch Club]

Heather, great post, thanks for this...

Originally Posted by Idea15

My first networking event was a disaster...I was withdrawn, nervous, couldn't hold a conversation and made daft small talk. I couldn't run out of there fast enough and had an early glass of wine that evening.

And such a common story....they you hear, 'Ach It wasn't for me'...or I don't do networking.'

Originally Posted by Idea15

BUT, in a way, I had to have that disaster to learn from my mistakes. I now LOVE networking events, love interacting with people, and genuinely love hearing about their businesses.

I was reminded of a great quote when I read that....

"I learn't so much from my mistakes; that I decided to make some more!"

You perservered and got the results you were looking for.

Originally Posted by Idea15

I have an odd strategy: I don't go to networking events to get business. I go to meet people and be myself, and if I happen to get business as a result, all the better.

You don't have an odd strategy, you have the right strategy.

Thanks again,

Kind regards

Gordon
PLC

[davidc]

Bang on Gordon. People buy from people. Names, logo's, straplines, etc are all well and good, but at events it is the people that count 100 times out of a hundred.

[Adventurelife]

Originally Posted by abs

No, we don't live on a remote Highland estate any longer. We live just outside of Forfar in beautiful Angus. No more midgies, too much rain, getting snowed in, no water in winter, no more 2 hour round trip just to go shopping, no more getting stuck in snow drifts and having to walk 6 miles in either direction just to get help. Oh but I miss it!

Seriously, it was fun and interesting when we were younger (and we have got a lot of stories to tell) but we are enjoying "normal" living now.

I agree Gordon, Edinburgh was hectic even when we used to work there, I definitely wouldn't like to be working there now.

Theresia

Theresia

Was that a remote highland estate with you looking after a lot of GWP dogs? If it was I have one of your dogs at home. Lacy she is 10 now.

Small world

[abs]

Yes, that's me, it is indeed a small world. How is Lacy - we've still got her mother and sister.

Theresia

[Neil]

I have got an interesting book on the shelf. It's title is "And Death Came Third". There was a survey done about peoples greatest fears and in order they are 1. Public Speaking 2. Walking into a room of strangers (networking) and Death.

Gordon makes some great points and after 20 years in sales and marketing I am quite comfortable with public speaking and networking. This has been through many years of aversion therapy

I think I mentioned in another post: To be interesting when you are networking you must be interested in the other person. The more you find out the more you make a connection. Remember someone has to get to know you and then trust you and then eventually they might buy form you. It all takes time. Networking events should never be about selling.

It is about building relationships so they will want to see you again and allow you to make a presentation. If you turn them of on the first "date" you might as well forget ever getting business in the future.

I have taken quite a few people to their first networking event and they have been almost scared witless. The thing that has always impressed me is how on the way home they are totally buzzing and go on about how silly it was to be anxious before the event and when can they do another one again.

One other benefit is for people who work mainly on their own it is a great way to socialise with other business people and get out of the office.

Have fun and enjoy it. I have never been to a networking event that is not fun.

This has been brought to you by a hill running Carnegie Harrier, Martial Artist, SCUBA diving, Linguist, Salesman and Marketer who is married to a wonderful Persian, marathon running Business Director and have two rugby playing, running, SCUBA diving and gymnastic sons who love to play computer games, Wii and PS3. As a family we love life and do loads. Our friends next door nickname us the "Yogurt Family"

[Mark Lister]

My favourite definition of networking is "making new friends".

At one of my first events I was feeling rather out on a limb and awkward. I decided to get all coachy with myself and see what I saw. I realised that, more than anything else, I was behaving like I was 14 again and at a school disco. So I decided to approach it like a party! Suddenly it became a lot more fun. I seemed to connect with people a lot better too.

[Idea15]

Originally Posted by Mark Lister

I was behaving like I was 14 again and at a school disco.

You broke out in zits and were grooving to Vanilla Ice?

[Mark Lister]

No. I broke out in zits and pretended I just wasn't interested in grooving.

And thank you VERY much for the Vanilla Ice reference. You were out by at least five years, in the wrong direction - he was well after my time! Donna Summer would be much closer to the mark.

Note to self: always attend networking events with "I Feel Love" playing on the iPod.

[Adventurelife]

Originally Posted by abs

Yes, that's me, it is indeed a small world. How is Lacy - we've still got her mother and sister.

Theresia

She is a fine old lady now, still a nervous dog though even after all those years. One of our other dogs is pretty ill though. Down at Edinburgh Vet hospital tomorrow again with him.

Hope all is well with you. I use VA's several times a year when I have too much on, or when I have to many projects on the go.