5 Networking Mistakes Most People Make
Mistake #1: Selling People try to sell at networking events because that is what they think they are supposed to do. Or they are under pressure from a sales manager to make something happen. Or they don’t know what else to do. Yes, networking is a way to find prospects. Your sales can be improved by your networking activities (if that’s one of your goals). Trying to sell by giving people your product or service pitch at a networking event? That is an absolute turn-off. Mistake #2: Bad Introductions Is your introduction all about you? Is it longer than two minutes? Do you launch into it before you know anything about the other person? You have only a few moments to make a first impression, but your opening has just created a self-absorbed image of a poor networker. People don’t want to know what you do; they want to know what you can do for them. Don’t make a bad impression with a selfish introduction. Mistake #3: Inconsistency It takes time and repetition to build a business networking relationship. One visit to a networking event is not enough to do anything except maybe get lucky and pick some “low hanging fruit.” And yet, people go somewhere once, introduce themselves, and then decide it wasn’t worth their time because they “didn’t get anything out of it”. Consistency is a likeable trait that shows you can be trusted. Don’t be a sporadic networker. Mistake #4: Handing Out Business Cards If they don’t know what else to do, people think at the very least that they should hand out their business cards. They walk around with their card in their hand, offering it to everyone they speak to. That isn’t networking, it’s advertising. Don’t even bother to give out your card… unless they have asked. Mistake #5: No Follow up Dr. Jeffrey Lant popularized the concept that you (or your message) need to be seen or experienced 7 times before you or your marketing message makes an impression. Most people meet someone once, take their card and never contact them again. They don’t have a system to follow up. Then they wonder why people don’t remember them, their name, or what they have to offer. They lose out on beneficial relationships because they didn’t follow up with someone who might have become a friend. Don’t leave new contacts unconnected. While these are mistakes that most people make in networking, you can avoid them. Look at your habits and the way you think about networking. Watch and learn from people who seem to be attracting great contacts and business. Learn more about the positive ways to interact and you’ll have a powerful network in no time. MeetingWave's core mission is to help you meet new clients, alumni network and how to make friends Online. Disclaimer: Article submitters are solely responsible for the content of their articles. ArtiLib can't be held liable for the contents of the articles. Report Abuse | Browse By Category |
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