Work & Finance > Marketing & Promotion

Fourteen Ways to Succeed through Networking
By Francine York

Feel like you need more contacts to expand or start your business and don't know how to make those important connections?  There's an easy answer to your dilemma - drink coffee!!!  No, not in your kitchen; but at the myriad networking opportunities for women in business as well as those wanting to start a business.  Men: this is for you too.

So, what is all the hullabaloo about Networking? The most important thing you should know about the concept is. It works!  All those business cards floating around can sometimes find their way to a person/business that needs you!  Some examples from my limited sphere: 1- I networked with a person who sells insurance; after talking with her, I decided to ask her to give me quotes on my homeowners and auto insurance.  She saved me $500.00 per year! And she got a new client.

That's the great thing about networking. There's a give and take, a Yin and Yang. You get a new client; and sometimes, you become a new client. Another person I networked with had products I was interested in buying and I had advertising opportunities she needed. Voila. A perfect match! And on and on.

Morals of the story:

1. Always have plenty of business cards with you.

2. Make sure your biz cards reflect who you are and what you can offer others; if not, make up new ones!

3. Make sure the cards are up to date and have your current email address, web site and phone #.

4. If you can afford it, there are many inexpensive promotional items you can have imprinted to give out at these events.  (Such as: magnets, pens, pencils, key chains etc.

5. Attend as many networking events as you can; many are free or low cost and take place either during the day or in the evening.

6. Try to utilize the services / products of those representatives you have met; remember, they might do the same for you.

7. Write notes on the back of the cards you receive so that you can remember who the person is and what he/she does etc.

8. At most networking events, attendees are permitted to bring flyers, pamphlets and free samples.  Make sure you ask first!

9. Some events allow people to donate a door prize; consider that as another means of "spreading the word".

10. An essential element of networking is to follow up a day or two after the event; call, send an email or write a letter to everyone you spoke with and remind them who you are and what you can offer them.

11. Don't be intimidated by speaking to strangers; everyone is there for the same thing.to find clients as well as finding services/products that they can utilize.

12. Part of networking is to join as many organizations and groups as possible; some of these will allow you to come to networking events for free at least at first.

13. Network by placing your card in any "fish bowl" that allows it.

14. Last, but not least, keep drinking that coffee! Remember, you don't schmooze, ya lose!!

"Network continually -- 85 percent of all jobs are filled through contacts and personal references." -- Brian Tracy

"It's not who you know. It's how well you maintain your Rolodex(R)." -- Patricia Fripp

"Make a list of 200 prestigious, influential, and powerful people with whom
you want to work, play, grow and do business." -- Mark Victor Hansen

"Networking is simply the cultivating of mutually beneficial, give and take, win-win relationships. It works best, however, when emphasizing the 'give' part." -- Bob Burg