Networking and Dating by Ludwina Dautovic

Networking and dating are a very similar transaction; you don’t ask your guy or girl to marry you on the first date, so why then do people expect to make a sale or gain a new client the first time they meet? Effective and productive networking is about building relationships and ‘win win’ scenarios.

To ensure that your networking is highly effective consider my top ten tips:

1. Don’t look for one client or one customer; look for databases. Consider this – isn’t it more productive to create a ‘win win’ scenario where you can both market to each others lists?

2. Do not assume that because you have their business card that it is instant permission to directly market to them.

3. After taking their business card, make a small note on the back that will jog your memory the following day i.e. red jacket, wants to receive the newsletter etc

4. Don’t waste your time having coffees or lunches with people simply because they called and asked you to. Instead, have a phone chat about what might be possible and then decide if it is worth taking it to the next step.

5. Don’t become a member of any particular networking group unless there are huge benefits and a variety of people who attend. It is better to attend a variety of events so you get to meet a broader group of people.

6. Volunteering at events helps you to raise your profile to the group. i.e. on the door, product sales etc.

7. Give as much of yourself as you can. Become known as a powerful resource for others. People will remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, etc. This keeps you visible to them.

8. Remember people’s names. This sounds really obvious but it’s amazing how many people don’t do this. Think about how impressed you are when a person remembers your name.

9. Ask people who their ideal referral or customer would be and see if you know anyone who you can refer to them.

10. Follow up – The majority of people do not follow up after an event. Here are my tips for effective follow up.

For database collection and permission based marketing:

a. Enter all the details in an excel spreadsheet

b. Send an email to everyone asking if they would like to stay in contact with you

c. If so, ask them to not reply to the email to indicate they have agreed

For possible JV’s or Cross promotional activities:

a. I play a game called ‘what if’ as it enables you to come up with a myriad of ways to support each other

b. Offer to write articles for their website, blog or newsletter

c. Offer a product or service they can use as a giveaway to their database

d. Do an event together and utilise both databases e. Add each other’s info to your websites

Happy Networking!

Copyright Ludwina Dautovic 2009

Small Business Help | The Red Tent Woman | Ludwina Dautovic | Red Tent Radio

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This article was written by Ludwina Dautovic is the founder of The Red Tent Woman, a national business network supporting small, home based and micro business owners. Ludwina is the host of the Small Business Global Podcast show - www.RedTentRadio.com. She is also a multi-award winning business woman and a highly accredited business coach.

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