Bring People Together!
Bring People Together!
Great networking introduction tips.
Just about every month, I go to a minimum of two networking functions. These are regularly scheduled events where approximately half of the people go each time and the other half are new people coming and going. You would think that the regulars would be getting a steady stream of business from these networking functions. However, what I discovered is that while many people go to the same events that I do, few of them get the same number of customers or business. I believe I’ve discovered why.
When you leave the mixer, your work is just beginning. I recently sat down with an unemployed corporate efficiency expert. He was on a job search. He said that following the mixer at which the two of us had met a couple of days earlier, he sent out a bunch of thank-you cards to the people he met at the mixer. I was surprised and so I clarified if he actually sent out thank-you cards. He corrected himself and said, “Well, no. I sent out thank-you emails.”
This is one of the biggest reasons why people don’t get as much business as they could. They are simply not memorable. Think about how many emails you’ve gotten in the last week. How many of them can you remember? Now, think about how many handwritten, thank-you notes you received in the last three months. You can probably remember all of them — assuming you received any at all.
I make a point of sending a personally, handwritten, thank you note to every person I meet for the very first time at a networking mixer. When I get their business card, I always check to see if there is a mailing address. If there isn’t, I just say, “I’ve always make a point of sending a personal thank you note to everyone I meet for the first time at a mixer. May I please have yours?” They always give it to me.
Still, there’s another step that most people skip: Making introductions. If I know someone who the new person would benefit by knowing, I send an email introducing both of them. The format is very simple. The subject line says, for example, introductions of Ted Brown and John Fredericks. I explain how long I know each person and something they might have in common with the other person. I list their contact information and I make specific instructions on which one should call the other. I also ask the call receiver to make time for the caller and then I wish them both good luck.
When people see you as a connector, I guarantee you that your referrals and revenue from networking contacts will start to go up significantly.
"Networking is an investment in your business. It takes time and when done correctly can yield great results for years to come." - Diane Helbig
(This excerpt is taken from my seminar entitled Survive and Thrive V: Ramping Up Referrals.) I encourage you to click here to register for my all new Survive and Thrive V: Ramping Up Referrals seminar. On Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 9 AM to 12 noon Eastern Standard Time Melhorn Manor in Mount Joy, PA. This event will also be available through live streaming.
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