Networking is as crucial to your business success as it providing quality goods and services. While it may take a few networking events or follow up meetings with potential clients, the fruits of your labor will eventually pay off.
Business owners are faced with myriad tasks on a daily basis, but you need to make certain that while you’re making your weekly to-do list that you add networking into the schedule. You may say you don’t have time to leave the office, but truthfully, you can’t afford not network. Being a business owner means you will need to perfect your elevator pitch and learn to be comfortable shaking hands and talking about your business.
Here are steps to take to chase away nervous butterflies and make the most of your time at meet-and-greets:
- Know who you want to meet at a particular event
- Try not to leave a networking event unless you have three solid leads with whom you can follow up
- If you know someone at the meeting, ask him or her for an introduction to someone you don’t know. Your networking efforts will be for naught if you only interact with people you already know. Networking is about growing your contacts
Follow up is crucial. Don’t let more than three days pass before you contact the people you met at the networking meeting.