Hi everyone,
How are you all and oh yes, Today, I will be continuing the remainder part of the 2 part – successful networking post.
Like I mentioned earlier, I picked this method up recently and it’s nothing major really, but it’s definitely a method to help build relationship and there are 3 steps
These are:
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
First Step – What is your name?
Yes I know, it a really simply question, but knowing somebody’s name is vitally important and whatever you do, make sure you make a mental note . By that I mean, would you be annoyed if I forgot your name? So to reiterate, whatever you do, try and remember the name too.
You’ll be surprised to know that there is a lot of power contained within a name. Why? When you address someone by their name, it engages them into a conversation with you, you get their undivided attention and they pay more interest to you as well. It not only shows you respect them, but it makes them feel special too. It’s like and imagine the scenario, John meets Debra from a seminar meeting 5 years ago, They only spoke for like 2 mins and since have never got in touch.
However, tonight, fast forward 5 years later, at the new seminar meeting, they bump into each other, Debra doesn’t remember John, but then, John back then was a youth, early 20′s who looked like a 16 year old and now he’s like 6ft 2″, handsome young man, who looks rather successful. He looks at Debra and say Hi Debra, and Debra is startled that this stranger know her name. Obviously at this point, Debra maybe quite intimidated and so of course, John needs to introduce himself and remind her of the seminar meet 5 years ago.
What this has done is that John has instantly elevated Debra to feel not only embarrassed but special too at the same time. Of course, it also means John has just captivated her undivided attention and has engaged her into a general conversation about past times, current situations etc…..
The point is that: name is very important.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
Second Step: What do you do? or specifically what do THEY do?
Once you have established somebody’s name, you need to find out what they do? See what they are interested in etc… The reason is hat whilst they are telling you all this wonderful information about themselves, you are building a relationship with them, they feel like you are interested about them, and at the same time, if possible, you need to also think about where they can fit into your network, or do you know anyone who would be interested in meeting them and seeing what they do, and if you know somebody that you think would benefit from them, or would be interested in what they do, then slip in a word or two about it, explaining how you could put them in touch etc…
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
Third and final Step – Who is your/are their ideal customers and clients
That’s right, find out what your newly met friend ideal customers are? Or what exactly does the service or product the offer would cater for i.e. target recipient. If they describe their ideal customers and it relates to yours, that’s fabolous, you could be looking at a possible JV with them, advertising something to each others customers lists, or work on a new project/deal together etc… The possibility are endless.
However, if they describe their perfect customers which are completely to the opposite end of yours ideal customers group, but you know somebody who may benefit, again explain to them that you know may be of interest to them.
And that’s it really, networking is really that simple, 3 simple basic questions that are not only a great conversation starter but also good for networking.
So, get out there, memorize these: “to-ask” questions and expand your network. Seriously, everyone one of you out there has a 199% better chance that I have at this networking business, the reason?
Everyone of you out there is either more handsome, taller, or prettier looking that I am. Oh and you don’t have a squeaky voice or horrible looking teeth like I do too, so yeah, get networking and don’t let it be an obstacle for you.
Until Next time
Nigel
