Networking: Powerful or Petrifying?

At the beginning of the year many business owners consider ways to increase sales. One way is to attend networking events such as the local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, or WOAMTEC (of which I am the West Volusia Florida chapter director!)

But what if you are petrified of networking? How can you turn networking into a powerful, positive experience? Following are some tips to help you go from petrified to powerful! Once you understand apply these tips and understand networking dynamics you will reap the rewards of a powerful, positive experience.

Here’s how to get started…

The most important question to ask yourself is:    "What is my intention for attending the meeting?"  Why do you want attend? What do you want? What is your goal?  Is it to let others know about a special you are offering? Is it to meet some new people? Is it to connect with someone whose services you need?  Set a clear intention/goal for each and every meeting you attend.

Once you have determined your intention you need to prepare your 60 second introduction (elevator speech). Almost every networking event allows for the attendees to introduce themselves. Knowing what you are going to say will help you feel less nervous. You can create variations of your introduction by answering each of these questions:

      1. What is a tip you can offer?

      2. What is a special you are offering?

      3. What sets you apart from your competitor?

      4. Who do you love to work with?

      5. What problem do you solve?

      6. What is the key benefit of your product or service?

      7. What is a recent example of a positive customer experience?

      8. What props could you use?

If you answer all these questions you will eight variations of your introduction!

  

Now that you know what you are going to say you need to practice. Fear of Public speaking ranks higher than the fear of dying! Practicing and following these tips will help alleviate your fears.

       1. Consider that you are having a conversation with your closest friend and act and speak naturally. Other attendees really do want to see you succeed. When you feel comfortable it makes everyone feel comfortable. 

       2. If you are extremely nervous pick one person in the room you already know and speak to her. If you don’t know anyone pick the friendliest face you can find. Yes, there will be at least one friendly face.

     

Once you have set your intention, perfected and practiced the versions of your introduction, and moved beyond your fear of public speaking you must understand networking relationships take time. Most people don’t get married on the first date, right? Well just like dating, most people will not do business with you the first time they meet you. It takes time to build a relationship and develop trust. Don't expect to walk out of a networking event with five new customers. Most likely that won't happen. Your goal is to make connections, get to know people, and have people know you. There is a saying that goes like this, “It is not what you know or who you know, it is who knows you!” Here’s why… Did you know the average person knows 250 people? If there are 15 people in a meeting who each know 250 people you can potentially increase your exposure to 3750 people just from the 15 persons in the meeting! That’s the power of networking!

When you consistently attend networking events, act naturally (not petrified or pushy), spend time getting to know the other members and letting them know you, and share valuable information you will no longer be petrified and will soon reap the powerful, positive rewards of networking!