Networking 101: Here’s How to Do It By Deirdre Dalton-Brodeur, MBA Business & Career Coach Rising Tides

Welcome! Agenda Introduction Discuss Networking –Live Networking –E-Networking Follow-up

What is Networking? Art of Giving Art of Listening Art of Connecting with People $64,000 question: How do we make it effective, comfortable, and fun?

Live or Electronic doLive Events: What do you do when you’re there? –Decide what you’re objective is beforehand –Shake hands and introduce yourself with a smile –Keep business cards easily accessible –Stand near the food where people gather –If you’re shy, have a more outgoing friend introduce you to people –Ask questions of people

What to Do; the Bottom Line Stay Curious - take a genuine interest in people - ask questions Listen to ways that you can help them Be enthusiastic - stretch yourself and talk to more people than you would usually talk to Stay Organized - Keep your contact cards in one accessible place - Keep other people’s business cards in another place

What to Say? Avoid “What do you do?” as your opener Keep in mind the event you’re attending and ask about the person’s involvement Notice your surroundings and create conversation 30-Second elevator speech - Basic Version is: My name is X, I do X, I help X, I am looking for X. And What is it that you do?

How to Find Live Events? NewspapersGym ColleaguesRec Center Trade AssociationsFriends Trade PublicationsFamily BulletinsRadio Leads Groups Chamber of Commerce Conferences

Electronic: “Inter-Networking” There are many different venues to network outside the live arena: –Phone –Discussion Groups –Message boards and Newsgroups – –Chat Rooms and Instant Messaging –Online Newsletters and trade publications

Key: Follow-up! Follow up! Have a plan Have a time table Create a Specific goal or outcome you’d like to see happen with your new contacts Sort by lead, hot prospect, power partner, and other

How will you follow up? At any given moment, you have the opportunity to offer your wisdom, which can come in many forms :  A direct answer  Refer them to a resource, such as a web site, or forward tips from a newsletter  Give them a format or process to work through  Tell them about a book you've read  Suggest an event they can attend  Pass a lead  Give positive feedback about their business  Send them an article, or better yet, one you've written

Bottom Line of Networking You can network live or electronically Give at any opportunity Listen for all opportunities Follow up, Follow up, Follow up

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