Networking is NOT about making sale

Nobody goes to a networking event to be SOLD something. To the contrary most people attend networking events with the hope that they will meet a potential prospect or client. They want to make a sale!
How many times have you attended a networking event or business function only to find yourself cornered by a zealous “salesman” recounting the incredible value of their products and services and trying to persuade you that, even if you are not currently in the market for what they have to offer, you should take their card and call them when you, or someone you know, is in need of their particular brand of widget!
Perhaps you have even found yourself – with your Yellow Pages AD firmly fixed to your forehead touting the worth of your products and services to anyone willing to listen.
It is this “sales pitch” mentality which has given Networking such a bad reputation. Nobody likes being on the receiving end and most small business owners also dread doing it. After all most small business owners also hate to sell.Worse still if everybody is there to sell and nobody is there to buy then the likelihood of achieving a WIN WIN outcome is slim indeed.

But what if - instead of looking for potential clients at networking events, you were to start looking for other business owners who share your target market and who might be interested in working with you on a WIN WIN referral program, joint venture or other strategic alliance?

Which would you prefer to meet -
1. A potential client
2. A potential strategic alliance which may result in tens, hundreds or even thousands of potential clients for your business?

If you answered the second one you are on the way to becoming a SMART Networker and the people you meet will be happy to network with you because a good strategic alliance means a win for everyone.

To learn which businesses would make great strategic alliances, where to meet them and how to go about identifying ways that you can work together visit Networking World today so you can start networking SMARTer, Not Harder..

Maximise Your Networking Group Membership

Many business owners and business development managers start their networking strategy full of enthusiasm. They join a number of networking groups, show up a few times, perhaps even get a few leads, then they get busy and their networking falls by the wayside.

SMART networkers join two or three groups and then implement a consistent plan to ensure that they maximise the benefits from each membership.
Here are our 10 top strategies for maximising your networking group membership.
1. Show up – be reliable
2. Arrive early and leave late
3. Invite guests and introduce new people to the organisation
4. Volunteer – help the organisers
5. Take on an official role
6. Help connect other people who may be able to help each other - be a yellow pages not a yellow pages ad
7. Donate products and services (door prizes, raffles etc)
8. Offer to be a speaker or at least an MC
9. Offer to write articles, reviews etc
10. Send thankyou gifts and notes of appreciation.

Want to find networking groups to join and networking events to attend? Networking World has over 1400 groups listed around Australia and a comprehensive calendar of networking and business education events.

SMART Networkers Join the Right Networking Groups for their Business Needs!

How many times have you attended a networking event where you had absolutely nothing in common with anyone there? Perhaps you service the corporate market and you've found yourself in a room full of home based business owners (or vice versa). Perhaps everyone is there to socialise and you want to make business connections. Or perhaps there were just too few opportunities to meet other people at the event. Read on for 5 top tips for finding and joining the right networking groups for you…

Here are our 5 top tips for joining the right groups:

1. Know what you want to achieve - what are your goals and objectives? - Different types of groups will suit different goals.

2. Be aware of your personal strengths and weaknesses - if you are a self confessed introvert avoid cocktail party type events and look for groups that run events with a structured process.

3. Know what you can commit - what is your budget? How much time can you commit? Do you have restrictions on when you can attend?

4. Research a number of groups thoroughly before making a decision.

We suggest that you ask the following questions:
a. Where do they meet?
b. When and how often do they meet?
c. What is the cost?
d. What are the time commitments?
e. Are there any membership requirements?
f. What kinds of businesses/people attend?
g. How many people attend?
h. What happens at a typical event?
i. What are the group's objectives?

5. Before you commit to joining a group attend at least twice (if they won't let you do that then perhaps you shouldn't join them). Ask other people in your profession or with similar goals to your own what benefits they have gained from membership. Make sure that you feel comfortable with other group members.

Looking for networking groups to join or events to attend?
Networking World is Australia's most comprehensive directory of networking opportunities for small business owners.