Two Tips for Networking in Person
This week, I wanted to share with you two tips I’ve learned for networking in person.
But first, allow me to give some background on this post. A few years ago, I tried posting a “Two Tips for Tuesday” post every Tuesday. But with homeschooling, keeping house, and building up my freelance writing business, that idea fell by the wayside.
That was then. Life is way different now. And over the past years, I’ve picked up lots of tips for what to do (and many more on what NOT to do!) to work at home successfully. So, I’m jumping back into it. And I’m starting with something many of us home-based and virtual business owners struggle with the most.
Networking. In person.
O.K., I’ll admit it, I don’t do a lot of face-to-face networking. I’ve discovered that my ideal client doesn’t live in my area, and they often don’t attend these events. They’re in their home offices, working virtually like me. I’ve actually found my best clients through social media like Twitter, Facebook, and my blog.
But, once in a while, I do get an urge to connect with my colleagues face to face. So, last summer, I dragged myself out from behind my laptop to do some face-to-face networking with local entrepreneurs. I went to a couple of before-business breakfasts, and also to a seminar on how to network in person.
Before-Breakfast Recycling Networking Events
The breakfast events were what you would expect – we each stood up, introduced ourselves, said a little blurb about our business, then handed out our business cards. When the hour was over, I could barely close my purse because of all the business cards I’d shoved inside.
Cards, mind you, that I fully intended to bring home and dump in my recycling bin. I mean, when would I (or anyone else in my home-based business circle) ever need a cleaning service for an office building? And I wondered how many people who had taken my card out of courtesy planned to do the same with mine.
Networking Seminar – What Doesn’t Work in Networking
Next came the seminar on networking in person. When the session began, the presenter asked us to find a partner and then “network” with that person as we normally would. The whole room was suddenly abuzz with people passing out business cards and talking about their businesses.
After a few minutes, the presenter asked us to stop. Then he asked for some volunteers to talk about their networking experience.
The first big question he asked was, “What did you learn about the person you were talking to?“
You could have heard a pin drop. It turned out that most of the business owners present were so busy giving out as much information about their business as they could, they didn’t take the time to learn anything about the person listening to them.
How can you know how you can help someone if you don’t know what they need from you?
When you’re networking, asking questions is more important than talking about your business.
So, with these experiences in mind, here are my two tips for networking in person.
Two Tips for Networking in Person
Tip #1. If you’re networking correctly, it won’t look like networking at all. Great networking involves asking great questions and listening to the answers.
Tip #2. Only give your business cards to those who ask for them. Remember my purse packed full of business cards? I did come home and recycle most of them, by the way. I know we’re expected to give our business cards to everyone at these events. But think about it. Those little pieces of paper are expensive! And if they’re really interested, they will ask for it.
People do business with people they know, like and trust. When they’re ready to trust you, they’ll let you know by asking for your business card. And then you know your card will be put to good use!
How about you? Do you have any networking stories (horror or super-successful) you can share? I’d love to hear about them!
Any networking tips of your own to add? Please leave them below!
Denise Willms is a freelance writer and virtual assistant, as well as busy mom to two teenagers. She would love to publish your original work at home articles at her article directory, WAHM-Articles.com.
March 17th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Great tips Denise!! Very timely too as I’m really trying to do more local networking. It’s time for me.
My tip: Prepare your sound byte (i.e., elevator speech) and know it well. But more importantly, know how to change it to fit with who you are sharing it with. It can sound really canned if you don’t.
I totally agree on the business cards too. One thing that I have too is business magnets (I get from VistaPrints). People seem to like those.
Thanks! Can’t wait to hear more ideas on this.
Diana Ennen
March 17th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Great tips and Thanks Denise. I’ve been doing networking actively for about a year and a half now and it is so interesting going to various groups to find ones that fit your own sensibilities. I have several great ones now and although small in size, the networking in them is just great.
In large networking scenarios, I have found it helpful to sit back and not be the first one to jump into the network fray when you are partnered up or in a small group to “get to know” each other. It allows you to listen, hear what the others are saying and then tailor your talk to pepper it with helpful suggestions and offer connections for the other person/people in the group.
Offering to introduce that person to someone you know that might be able to partner with your new connection always works to raise your credibility.
Back to editing our next book now and out to a networking group tomorrow night. Best wishes to all of you and may your lives be full of wonder and joy. S>