Time for your annual marketing check up. Use the short survey of Robert Middleton's below to assess your practice development health. Give yourself from 1 to 5 points on each statement. A perfect score is 125 points. Positioning Solution. I have a clearly
Most of us think of networking more as an art form than a product of science. We tend to
think that only those with heightened social skills will ever reap the joys of networking.
Not so.
Networking isn’t just smiling, ... moreThe Fine Art Of Networking
Most of us think of networking more as an art form than a product of science. We tend to
think that only those with heightened social skills will ever reap the joys of networking.
Not so.
Networking isn’t just smiling, mixing, and mingling. You can be just as effective by
taking a position on a committee or volunteering to host an event. Your administrative
skills are as appreciated as your social skills.
The trick to networking effectively is to choose a group or association that is comprised
of your potential clients. If you are a human resource mediator then you should join and
participate in the local human resource associations. Become an active member, take a
position on a committee, volunteer to chair an event, speak at their meetings, manage
their website, write articles for their newsletter, etc.
GET INVOLVED. The more your target knows about you and your service the more
likely they are to contact you and not your competition the next time they need a
mediator.
The goal is to get your name and your service to top of the prospects’ minds.
As an expert networker you will have many opportunities to “touch” prospective sources
of referral. Take advantage of every interaction, of every point of contact.
Give at least four new people your business card every day. It doesn’t matter to whom
you give them, (remember the rule of six-degrees of separation) cab drivers, waitresses,
the postman etc., essentially everyone with whom you come in contact.
Write (and send) four notes or personal letters, handwritten of course, to prospects every
day. This activity alone adds up to over 2,000 contacts per year.
A true master of networking provides as many if not more referrals than he receives. The
good will you create will bring far more business in the long run and establish you as
someone who understands the value of a relationship and the subsequent referrals.
Most importantly - don’t forget you manners. Write thank you cards or letters of
appreciation to those whom you have met in a social setting who are new acquaintances,
who have provided a service, or anyone who can provide you business either first hand
and via a referral.