I got many questions recently asking about how to generate business or make money through networking. And I continue to get questions about how to start, or politely end networking conversations.
Instead of simply answering these questions, I’ve decided to do something new and different; something that I hope will be even more useful for you!
I want to provide you with opportunities to actually apply and practice the concept I offer.
It’s one thing to read about how to network better; it’s a completely different thing to *experience* what works for you and what doesn’t. This first-hand experience is what allows you to adapt and refine the networking theories and concepts to fit your particular situation.
So, I’m having a “networking contest”.
This contest creates opportunities for you to practice the following (if you so choose):
- initiate conversations with people you meet for the first time
- politely and professionally end these conversations and move on
- follow up with people in a meaningful and relevant manner
- re-connect with people you already know, but haven’t been in touch with for a while
- make referrals
If promoting yourself or your business is uncomfortable for you, start by practicing promoting someone else’s product or service that you use and love.
So if you find “Effortless Networking” a useful resource, use it as the topic to initiate your conversations with people you don’t know, or reconnect with people you do, offer it as a resource to those who may benefit from it, and so on.
Notice whether talking about someone else’s product or service is easier for you, and if so, why is this? Then start figuring out how to transfer these components when talking about your own business.
You can browse through articles on this website or any networking books that you might have to get information and ideas on how to do all of the above. Or try out *your* personal approach to all this.
Of course, you can simply enter the contest to win the prize and not use it to practice any of these.
The prize is a great book that addresses the question of how to generate new business through networking. The name of the book is “Business by Referral: A Sure-Fire Way To Generate New Business” by Ivan R. Misner and Robert Davis.
I like this book because it presents information in bite-sized chunks and is easy to read. It offers a wide range of strategies and tactics that you can choose from, to network creatively. And it has an appendix full of tools and templates, if you want to systematize your networking efforts. A great reference book overall.
To participate, or for more information about this contest, click here.
And here’s the best part: I’ll run this contest every month for the next 6 months, so you have plenty of opportunities to practice (and win). Good luck!