One of the biggest tenants of selling in today's marketplace is networking. In order to find the right kind of customers and to keep the good customers you have, you have to go where they go, read what they read, and communicate them through every outlet possible.
There are some tried and true networking places and events, and some newer ideas that offer the opportunities you're looking for. Here are some old and new networking ideas to get you started.
One tried and true networking possibility is a civic organization like the Rotary. You're not only networking, you're helping the community as well, and it never seems out of place at a civic organization to do a bit of self-serving pitching and talking about your business. Want to get the most out of a networking opportunity like this? Don't just join. Shoot for a leadership position. It is a great resume builder and you have more access to more people.
Another traditional networking venue is the trade show. A trade show is designed for networking and promoting businesses, and used properly, can be a wonderful place to generate sales leads, make new contacts, and see what the competition is up to. Many people use trade shows are purely social events, but if you actually do the work odds are you'll see a boost in your sales, contact list, and market share.
Country clubs and supper clubs are our fathers' places for networking, also known as "hob-nobbing" in venues like these. As much as we hate to admit it, the country club is still a great place to get to know people you need to know, and plenty of business deals are still made out on the links.
Chamber of Commerce events are still a great place to network. Better yet if you're on the Board of Directors, but if you aren't there are still a number of events you can attend. Most of these events are full of people who are there to do the same thing you are, so your thirty second pitch won't seem out of place.
Nowadays, plenty of cities have social media clubs that meet on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. There will be some young people there that only show up for the free drink tickets, but there will be other people there who are trying to network for their business. You may as well go too, but make sure you have established your Twitter account first.
Many local magazines and journals have events for 40 under 40 and other distinctions that you can usually purchase tickets to attend. Do this. Not only will the event be full of the movers and shakers in the area, you are likely to run into some old contacts there. It is a good way to get the pulse of the local business community, and the people honored at these events are the people you really do need to meet.
Finally, pull double duty by taking a continuing education course for your business or joining an organization like Toastmasters. You'll learn something, plus you'll meet other people who are likely to be up and coming in your local market.
There are some tried and true networking places and events, and some newer ideas that offer the opportunities you're looking for. Here are some old and new networking ideas to get you started.
One tried and true networking possibility is a civic organization like the Rotary. You're not only networking, you're helping the community as well, and it never seems out of place at a civic organization to do a bit of self-serving pitching and talking about your business. Want to get the most out of a networking opportunity like this? Don't just join. Shoot for a leadership position. It is a great resume builder and you have more access to more people.
Another traditional networking venue is the trade show. A trade show is designed for networking and promoting businesses, and used properly, can be a wonderful place to generate sales leads, make new contacts, and see what the competition is up to. Many people use trade shows are purely social events, but if you actually do the work odds are you'll see a boost in your sales, contact list, and market share.
Country clubs and supper clubs are our fathers' places for networking, also known as "hob-nobbing" in venues like these. As much as we hate to admit it, the country club is still a great place to get to know people you need to know, and plenty of business deals are still made out on the links.
Chamber of Commerce events are still a great place to network. Better yet if you're on the Board of Directors, but if you aren't there are still a number of events you can attend. Most of these events are full of people who are there to do the same thing you are, so your thirty second pitch won't seem out of place.
Nowadays, plenty of cities have social media clubs that meet on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. There will be some young people there that only show up for the free drink tickets, but there will be other people there who are trying to network for their business. You may as well go too, but make sure you have established your Twitter account first.
Many local magazines and journals have events for 40 under 40 and other distinctions that you can usually purchase tickets to attend. Do this. Not only will the event be full of the movers and shakers in the area, you are likely to run into some old contacts there. It is a good way to get the pulse of the local business community, and the people honored at these events are the people you really do need to meet.
Finally, pull double duty by taking a continuing education course for your business or joining an organization like Toastmasters. You'll learn something, plus you'll meet other people who are likely to be up and coming in your local market.
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