Top things to do during and after attending a networking event

Networking is a powerful thing to incorporate in your regular marketing to grow your business. You should make it a priority to attend at least 1 event per week. Think of it as one of the fun aspects of growing your business. It’s a fun mixture of meeting new people, catching up with current friends and colleagues, talking about your business and prospecting for new clients. In some cases, it can be a fun learning experience too if you attend conferences, seminars and similar live events that are staged by colleagues and other experts.

When it comes to networking, making new connections, listening, being clear and open about what you do and following up afterwards is key. So here are some key tips to remember and practice when you network each week.

1. Be sure to have an adequate supply of business cards on hand in order to exchange information with new connections.
2. Wear appropriate attire for the occasion. Looking your best is always client-attractive.
3. When you meet and interact with new connections, ask first about their business before speaking about your own. Show genuine interest, ask for their card and let them know that you may refer prospective clients to them if you know someone looking for services in their expertise/niche.
4. Whenever you get a chance, write down a quick note on the business cards you receive to remind yourself about where you met, or any other distinguishing characteristic to help you remember the encounter.
5. When speaking about “what you do”, be sure to know your elevator speech. A nice concise way to let persons know: what you do, who you work with and the benefits/results clients achieve from working with you.
6. As soon as possible after the networking event, connect with person on Linkedin, Twitter, “Like” their fan page if they have one. In the case of Linkedin, remind them of where you met. And in the case of Facebook and Twitter, like a few of their status updates and RT a status update on Twitter. Then invite them to connect with you by “Liking” your Fan Page as well and following you on Twitter. You can also send a quick email to let them know that you sent them invitations to connect on the various networks and invite them to connect with you as well. If you have a “subscriber offer or freebie” connected to your regular ezine, you may invite them to sign up for that as well.

Some of my best clients have come from employing these tips and will work for you too. Are you already utilizing networking as a key part of your marketing mix? If so, I would love to hear if you have any tips to add to the list above. What’s working for you right now? You can share in the comments below.

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