Doing Networking with purpose
The other day I listened to Casey Ebehart , the Ideal Networker. His tips on networking are really valuable.
MyBIZNet - Your Worldwide 'Business Networking' site. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
And networking is something that you need to do to grow your business.
One tip he gave yesterday, may make a significant difference to your networking.
The tip – go to connect and find out the needs of others not to find clients and make sales.
His tip was to identify the key people at the events. Your goal is to collect their business card, rather than to give them your card. You want to find out what they need so that you can connect with them after the event.
And the key poeple?
First you need to meet the speaker first. Why, because the speaker is often off in the corner and no one is talking to him or her. As a presenter, I know this is true. People who come up and exchange with me before the event, usually get mentioned in my presentation and that is great publicity for their business.
Next meet the organizer. This person who knows who is who and will help you identify key influential people at the meeting. Remember your goal is to connect rather than sell at an event.
And finally, you want to meet three other people. Casey called them Yappers. These are the people who are talking most. Often these are people who really need to connect and are unafraid of meeting people but are often the ones who have few connections because they are so busy talking that they never listen to others.
You then put these people into your networking plan and follow up. You are still about connecting and helping them network.
This connecting is the secret. When you help people fill their needs, you will fill your needs.
He had more tips but this one is perhaps the one of the most important lesson.
Go over and listen find out more about Casey.
Who you know and who knows you is important to your success so learn how to network.
Have fun learning to network. It will make a difference to your business. And tell everyone below who you need to meet and know and we can look at getting you introduced to them.
Roberta
Passionate, Purposeful Presenter
How important are printed letterhead and brochures
Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Any printers who read this blog – no apology offered here.
New businesses need to plan to spend their money carefully.
And massive brochures and letterhead when you open your door MAY use up capital that will be needed when the business owner has a better idea of what they should be presenting.
A new business needs a GOOD color LASER printer and QUALITY paper. They are essential business tools.
When will you get printed letterhead and brochures? In today’s world, I believe printed materials (aside from your business card) are needed in the following circumstances
- A snail mail (posted) material run larger than 500 people
- A trade show needs quality printed brochures and materials
- Your are a speaker or presenter to a crowd larger than 100 people
And if you get brochures and letterhead printed, you need an electronic copy. All quotes, invoices, letters, messages sent electronically should be on a template IDENTICAL to any printed form you use, right down to the colors.
Your brochures are items that you will modify regularly.
When most new business owners produce their first brochure, they find within the first month at least 3 changes they would like to make to the brochure. And your brochure is easy to change if you produce an on-line downloadable PDF for you and your clients.
Printing of letterheads and brochures has changed. You need them but you may not need them in the same way as a business did 5 or 10 years ago with today’s tools. And managing printing is environmentally GOOD.
As a start-up or young business, think carefully before you print letterhead and brochures.
Roberta
Simplifier, Presenter, Mentor
Business Stationary- Your Business Card
Image by EEPaul via Flickr
A business card is still a critical part of any business person’s portfolio despite with all the Smart Phones and QR codes today.
You may need to get a brand specialist to help with you create a distinct image. Find a good graphic artist to get your logo done. A wow factor is important.
While cards that have shapes or can be die cut into different patterns and shapes, when you start in business, they may be an unnecessary expense.
Your business card needs to provide the following:
- YOUR Name so people can call YOU
- Your Business Name so people know you are serious about doing business
- Your Phone Number(s) – at least your mobile number so people can get in touch especially in an emergency (they are running late for a meeting).
- Your email Address – ideally one associated with the business name and not a free one (hotmail and gmail are not professional but Google can give you a business email address for a small fee)
- Your MAIN Business Webpage – use a different card for different webpages or sales messages.
- On the back of the card – 3 key benefits for your buyer to use your business. This can be in additional to a tagline or mission statement.
- Business logo
Nice to have but Depends on your buyer:
Always use both sides of a business card. Leave a space on the card to write something as people will look at a card a second time if there is something handwritten on it.
Use color, texture and something that is distinctively yours.
And when you get a business card from someone, write down the date and event at which you met the person. You will find this really valuable when you are looking to reconnect in the future.
Think outside the rectangle.
Give business cards that make potential buyers take a second look. Make it easy for buyers and suppliers and referrers to add your information to a database.
And make sure your card says CALL ME!
Roberta
Simplifier, Presenter, Mentor
Maven Connect
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Guest Blogging with Jon Morrow
