20 Ways to Effective Networking & Build Your Business

20 Ways to Effective Networking & Build Your Business

Options for effective networking are many and varied in the business and non profit world, and a coherent strategy is more important than ever. When you read this article, circle four or five ideas that make the most sense to you – and implement them in the next 10 days.

1. Establish realistic goals before you attend a meeting. Meaningful conversations with 2 or 3 people are frequently a goal for me.
2. Respond to a networking quiz to assess where you are and how difficult networking is for you.
3. Learn from the 10 myths of networking.
4. Write down the 10 things people should know about you.
5. Study business cards. Look closely at the card, and make notes to remind you of the date, event, what you discussed, and any follow-up action you need to take.
6. If you meet someone that you have previously met, learn and record 1 or 2 new pieces of information about them – family, interests, recent travel, etc.
7. Visit and experience networking groups, especially if you are starting out, that fit your schedule. There are groups that meet in the morning, over lunch, and in the evening.
8. Reach for a leadership position in a civic group such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions or another group. You will meet city and community leaders and learn about local happenings.
9. Become actively involved in a committee in your local chamber that plans or develops events. There may also be an ambassadors committee which welcomes new members. I ran the Small Business Council and launched several new programs for business owners through 2 local chambers.
10. Work for a local non profit cause that is important to you. You are giving back, and you will be visible at their annual events.
11. Develop a list of 50-100 types of professionals you need to know to expand your business or organization. Systematically work to meet them.
12. Attend meetings of trade associations where you will meet or see them, even if you only can make it once or twice a year.
13. Check the Sunday papers for coming events in various towns.
14. Call people you know who are written up in the papers and congratulate them. They are flattered and glad to reconnect.
15. Teach a course at a local university. This positions you as an expert, and you will learn from the process.
16. Read a new book on networking every year and save them as references. Power Networking by Sandy Vilas and Donna Fisher (19920 was a meaningful one for me. Make Your Contacts Count by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon (2002) is a recent comprehensive book on the subject.
17. Join or set up a mastermind group with your peers that meets at least monthly. I set up a 4 person group of members whose businesses and interests overlap, and we are adding a fifth member.
18. Set up your own networking group and make it unique. I have a group that meets with leading entrepreneurs, authors and speakers in the area.
19. Engage in a debating society to sharpen your mind and meet people in a different setting.
20. Learn and grow by participating in a spiritual group that meets weekly. Sharpen your focus to define your calling and mission in life.

It is important to continuously work at Networking as part of your professional development. Make it a discipline that is “fun” and challenging. Who can you meet? How can you work together or add value to their business or practice? What is your leadership strategy for non profits? Encourage a give, give and give philosophy to help others. You and your business will be paid back abundantly.

Send me your thoughts and comments. What has worked for you?