Maximising The Power Of Networking | It can be a great business tool ... |
 POSTED BY ALISON MEAD ON 23/09/2019 @ 8:00AM
Many of us realise the power of networking and how it can bring in new business, but how can you make sure you make the most of going to those meetings?
Networking can be a great business tool, but you must remember to follow-up! copyright: kasto / 123rf
It's always important to remain at the front of people's minds, so I thought I would share some techniques which really seem to work. When people need Sage or Xero support, my networking goal is to have them think of me.
"We all return home from networking meetings with
a handful of business cards!"
As soon as I can, I enter the contact details of who I have met into our contact management database, with a brain dump of who the people are and what sort of business people are looking for. I include which meeting we met at and when. This means I remember who I have met, and I can easily put people in touch with each other if relevant.
Next, I will send an email out following up on any promises I made in the meeting, putting people in touch with each other or passing on useful information. In this email, I also remind people who I am and ask if they would like to receive my monthly e-newsletter. I don't assume everyone wants my newsletter, and ask people to opt-in as I know how annoying unsolicited email can be.
This two-pronged approach of recording the details of meeting people, with a timely follow-up, ensures that I stay at the forefront of people's minds. It also helps me to measure the success of the meetings I go to.
This week I had a call from a company wanting an upgrade of their Sage accounts; they had got my details from their IT services provider, who in turn had heard about me from a local firm of accountants.
I was able to look up in my database where I had last met someone from the accountants firm, and send a personal thank you. It turns out I had met them right back in February this year at a meeting in Towcester, and they had been receiving my monthly e-newsletters. I am sure that is why, when they were asked for an expert in Sage 50, they thought of me.
By acknowledging the referral and thanking them I will hopefully be thought of again when a similar situation arises!
So, make sure you too become a 'good networker' and make the most of the time you spend going to meetings. You never quite know where that next referral is going to come from. If you are a novice networker then take a look at this post from my friend Liz Broomfield who is an editor, writer and proof-reader from Birmingham, It's called Networking for Newbies.
"Would you like to know more?"
If you'd like to find out more about networking and maybe come along to one or more of the events I visit myself, do give me a call on 01604 420057 or click here to ping me an email and let's see how I can help you.
Until next time ...
ALISON MEAD
More about Alison Mead ... |  | Alison loves bookkeeping and supporting bookkeepers. She has been helping clients to be better bookkeepers in Sage 50 for over 24 years and has been Xero Accredited in accounts and payroll for a number of years too.
She specialises in a very unique hand-holding method of training, helping bookkeepers and business owners to use their accounts software as and when they need support in setting up and producing their invoices, reports and financial information.
Alison combines her role at Silicon Bullet with her Forever Living network marketing businesses and is often to be seen at business networking meetings as she likes to keep busy.
You know what they say: if you want something done well ask a busy person!
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