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Insiders Secret to More Profitable Networking
Do you go to networking events to promote your business or make new contacts? Do you ever get frustrated when you take a couple hours out of your day to go to an event, but don't make meaningful connections? Here's a step by step strategy that has helped me make worthy business connections:
1. At the event make sure to meet as many individuals as possible. Have a short but meaningful conversation with each person you meet there. The goal is not to get a sale, the goal is to get key information.
2. Build rapport, question questions, and gather information. Your goal is not to talk about yourself, although you'll have to do this a little bit. Be an active listener.
3. If you don't have a worthy memory, have a pen with you and jot down a few notes on each business card you pick up. Note specifically what you spoke about.
4. If you find somebody clinging onto you and dominating your time, interrupt politely and say, excuse me, I want to hear more about this. I have a couple more individuals I need to meet. Let's agree to meet later to finish this conversation. This is a worthy way to get follow up appointments by the way.
Now the real magic begins after the meeting.
5. Take all your business cards with notes and go back to your office. Put everybody into your database, and as you do so- send each one of them a personalized greeting card. You do not need to write a novel, just mention what you spoke about. "Dear Bob, it was nice meeting you at the xyz meeting Thursday. It's worthy to meet somebody who has been going to the meetings for over 5 years you can really assist me make the best contacts."
6. Close with a call to action, "Bob, I'd really like to sit down with you next week to talk about how we might be able to do business together. Could you call me at 555-555-1212 so we can set up a time."
7. Mail your cards with a live stamp as opposed to metering them this helps ensure they'll get opened.
After a recent networking meeting I got 2/3rds of the individuals I met with to call me to schedule a follow-up meeting. The biggest drawbacks to this strategy are #1 the time it takes and #2 the expense. Fortunately I have found a solution to both of these problems.
There's a new web service Called Send Out cards that allows you to upload or enter your database, address, personalize and send cards online. The cards are sent with a live stamp and go out immediately. You can even set up whole mailing campaigns where individuals get a series of cards a worthy marketing tool.
The most cost effective accounts are wholesale or distributor accounts. You can send cards for under one dollar, including postage. It beats the heck out of Hallmark for cost, ease of use, and time savings.
I send cards all the time and have individuals calling and emailing me to say thanks. The amount of worthy will you can generate from a single card beats almost any other direct marketing you can do, and probably costs a lot less.
Give it a try at your next networking event.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
J D Moore - Marketing Comet
Send Out Cards
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Keywords:
cards great meet time people send business make networking meeting