Building Relationships over time is central to Networking

This week, we have a 'guest blogger' - Dave Clarke, CEO of NRG Business Networks. Dave writes...

I spoke to someone earlier this week whom I had met previously at his first networking event. I asked him how it had been and he said he didn't think it was for him as nothing had come of it. I meet many people who seem to think that a single appearance or one-off appearances in different groups is enough. The phone will ring continually, your inbox will be full of orders and you can sit back and relax. Yeah, right!

The normal rules of building relationships apply. Think of it like making friends. It takes time. Often being in the same place without even talking for the first few occasions. Good networking groups will shorten the time that it takes to get to know the other members, but it takes commitment to the group & not just one or two visits. The purpose of your first couple of visits should be to assess whether the group is right for you and your business and whether you are right for the group.

Once you find groups that are right for your business, commit your time to attend regularly and build those relationships.

- Make contact with other members
- Find things in common
- Get to know people and follow up
- As they get comfortable with you they will be ready to meet 121
- When you meet 121 find out how you can help
- Educate people about youself, your business and your needs
- Do things to help
- Make introductions
- Build your reputation & personal brand
- Go out of your way to advocate others

Then guess what? Good stuff happens to you too.

Dave Clarke is CEO of NRG Business Networks. Tel: 08454 080639
www.nrg-networks.com
http://business-networking.blogspot.com

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All the best with your networking and marketing!

Regards

Nigel
www.nigeltemple.com
Tel: 01628 773128

Founder of The Marketing Compass
the small business marketing mastermind group