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Do Your Own PR has gathered together a team of experienced business authorities to bring you their expert tips on getting publicity for and growing your business.
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Networking cliches - but are you one of them?
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By Paula Gardner of Do Your Own PR.
It’s been a long time since shoulder-padded yuppies “worked the room” with their slick business cards. And we’re all glad that those days are over.
Today networking is a much more relaxed and informal way of meeting new contacts and friends, learning about what makes other people tick and investigating to see if you’ve got common ground, whether that is a business referral or the name of a fantastic osteopath who “fixes shoulders”.
Today conversation at a networking event is just as likely to be about the latest bestseller or celebrity scandal as it is about work. It’s about connecting as people and finding out if you would like to do business with each other. And if not business, then you may be just as likely to offer business advice or the name of a good printer who can make your brochures look divine.
To some extent the pressure is off. But there are still people out there who just aren’t comfortable with networking, yet.
Or those who make it uncomfortable for others.
We’ve put together a list of some of the common faces you may see at a networking group. In fact, you may even be a little like one or two of them. But, just like any good networking host, our aim is to help, so we’ve also pointed out ways to avoid succumbing to the common mistakes. Hopefully they will help you enjoy and make the most out of your networking.
Nervous Newbie
This poor lad is out for the first time, having read that networking is the thing to do. He has a plastic carton of brand new business cards palmed in one hand and a nerve-strengthening drink in the other. He’s not quite sure how to join in so hangs around nervously on the edge of a group that seems to be having a thoroughly good conversation. Unfortunately, he’s just out of earshot so he doesn’t know what it’s about and misses the signals, laughing about three seconds after everyone else.
Advice for Newbies:
There’s nothing wrong with being nervous. In fact walking up to a two or three people and announcing that it’s your first time here and would they mind if you come and say hello is a great (and honest) way to break the ice. Keep the business cards handy – one pocket for yours and one for those you collect. Finally, watch the booze!
Party People
Party people look like they are having fun. Darn it, they are having fun. They’re laughing with their mates, getting stuck into the nibbles (they’re the first to the table) and leaning forward to have conversations so obscure no one knows what they’re on about.
But watch a party person closely and you’ll see that they hardly move from the same spot all night and they rarely talk to anyone new. What’s the point? They could be out having a fantastic meal together and avoiding the lukewarm wine and dry canapés!
Advice for Party People:
Spending time with your friends isn't a bad thing. If it is what gets out out of the office and out there networking then it's a great motivator. But make the effort to mix and meet someone new. Tell you mates that you're going to mingle for half an hour and that you'll catch up with them later. That way, you'll get both your networking and your socialing done at the same time.
Tunnel Vision Talkers
A Tunnel vision talker has never heard of the idea that networking is an exchange. Instead a tunel vision talker moves straight from "hello my name is" into their usual sales patter, regardless of whether you have expressed an interest or not. They don't seem to notice the subtle signs that people are not interested (eyes glazing over, snoring, people downing their drinks in one go so that they have excuse to get to the bar) and sadly never quite understand why their networking efforts never result in any real success.
Advice for Tunnel Vision Talkers
Forget all the trendy talk about elevator pitches and 60 second summaries - just for the moment. Instead, spend some time listening to others and asking them about what they do. Read some books on body language and take the time to watch other people talking and learn to read conversational sides that show whether the other person is really listening to what is being said. Do this right and you'll be such a great listener that everyone will want to talk to you..and stay in touch with you.
Moaning Members
Every group has one of these, It's the person who always complains (loudly) about coming along ("I'm not convinced that it's worth the fee/I never get any business out of this/networking is just a waste of time") and yet they continue to turn up. And then wonder why everyone tries their best to avoid them standing next to them. Sometimes moaning memebrs come across other moaning members and the whole thing turns into a bit of a moaning clique.
Advice for Moaning Members
We all have our resaons to moan, especially when business is going through a quiet phase, but whining and whinging will do nothing for your credibility or popularity. So, stick a smile on your face and get on with it. Or stay at home until you're in a better mood.
If you sgare any traits with our stars then I hope we've given you some ideas that will polsih and refine your networking skills. And, if you do spot a nervous newbie do be kind enough to go over and break the ice.
Meanwhile, if you would like to brush up on your networking skills and learn how to fovus your efforts in the places that are right for you, then do check out our networking ecourse on the ecourse page.
Back to more articles on promoting your business
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| Posted: 06/11/2004 16:47:32
Last Updated: 22/01/2005 11:48:20
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