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“How to Choose A Networking Venue”
Summer is a good time to evaluate last years networking
and make plans for those venues that start again in the fall.....
by Linda Conn ‘Your Business Coach’, VictoriaBusinessTalk.com
Watch for the next topic: “How to Choose A Graphic Artist”
Do you struggle with
- why do I have to go to Networking events when all my business
comes from referrals?
- why should I continue to go to a networking venue that has
never brought me a new client?
Business people who seek networking venues are challenged
by....
1. - making themselves attend a networking venue even
when they can't see any solid business coming from regular attendance.
You will quickly run out of steam for networking if you are
looking for a measurable 'return on investment'. We recommend
you do some research on the topic of relationship marketing
to understand the best that networking can offer you. We invite
you to listen to the free 1/2 hour audio at Part 2 #3 www.victoriabusinesstalk.com/teleclass_free_audio.htm
'What is Relationship Marketing' - hard-to-track,
messy-to-test, difficult-to-justify...Now the good news: It
absolutely works! It's hands down the most effective marketing
strategy on the planet. (Micheal Katz).
2. - just how to describe themselves when asked or
if they have the opportunity.
There are many resources on how to craft 'an elevator speech
or audio logo'. I believe the best formula is this: Have a one
line opener that you use first whenever you have the chance.
Try to make it sound fresh and not memorized. The next line
can be tailored more to the person or the group and the 3rd
line should give an example, paint a picture of you working
with someone similar to your audience. If you still get more
time, take it back to the listener and ask questions about THEIR
specific problems - any more and YOU may be talking too much!
3. - finding the best networking venues to invest their
money and time.
Finding the right networking venues is a challenge and we invite
you get a free copy of 'Networking Venue Revues' for
Business people in the Victoria Area found at www.victoriabusinesstalk.com/archive.htm
You can also find association and club listings at the public
library and watch the events section of the daily newspaper.
When you find one networking venue you enjoy, ask the other
attendees what else they belong to. You may find you enjoy the
same ones they do.
I recommend at least 3 venues a year. Be careful what you choose.
Are you going to enjoy a 7 a.m. breakfast or an evening meeting?
You will be budgeting your time and money - you will want to
get involved as much as you can.. so perhaps start with a budget
for dues and events and a 'budget for that time commitment’
too!
We don’t always attend venues to find our ideal clients - sometimes
we have other motives for our particular choices in a year.
Consider some of these:
- meeting new faces in new places?
- getting involved in a favourite Charity
- or a Professional industry Associations
- or Business Support Groups like clubs or a chamber of commerce
How about a venue chosen For Fun - or one
that is part of a hobby?
Will you choose a venue based on your customer demographic
or your industry interests? How about simply for social
value or to enhance your companies credibility
and image....?
Whatever reasons you have for choosing your networking venues,
'If it isn't fun, if it becomes a chore, it is time for a change'.
Summer is a good time to evaluate last years networking
and make plans for those venues that start again in the fall.
Is this the year you consider an executive position or is this
the year you phase out of a past membership?
Summer is also a good time to 'freshen up that spiel'
or what you say when you describe your business. The world of
business is changing. We can no longer hold the floor at a gathering
by just describing the features and benefits of what we offer.
Change your perspective from "Here's what I do" to
"What do you need?" The networker of today understands
personal and relationship marketing.
Remember...Relationship marketing is about building
close relationships over time - and that has to include networking!!!
by Linda Conn ‘Your Business Coach’, VictoriaBusinessTalk.com
Watch for next topic: “How to Choose A Graphic Artist”
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