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To be a successful network marketer, and earn additional income, you need to be able to network like a pro. Much of this business is about who you know and your ability to reach out, meet new people and build relationships. Being a good networker is all about having the right mindset.
Attend Events with the Goal of Meeting New People
When you attend meetings, events and gatherings, go with the attitude that you will meet new people. It’s easy to stay in our comfort zone and not to reach out and introduce ourselves to people we haven’t met.
However, when you go to events with a networking mindset, you’ll be more likely to make new connections that can benefit your business later. One easy way to do this is to set a goal of introducing yourself to three or four new people before you leave the event. These people can be brand new connections or they can be friends of connections you already have.
Don’t Network to Benefit Yourself First
Lots of people approach networking with an attitude of “what can these people do for me?” or “how can these connections benefit my business?” This is the wrong mindset to have while networking. When you meet new people, don’t think about what they can do for you; instead, focus on getting to know the person and building a relationship.
People are very in tune and if you approach networking this way, they will feel used and as if you are only interested in their friendship when they can help you. On the other hand, when you work to form relationships without looking to gain, your relationships will be stronger and more beneficial.
Work to Create Mutually Beneficial Relationships
When I meet new people, I’ve found that trying to form relationships that benefit both of us is the best way to approach networking. When you work to help others, they will naturally want to return your favor and both of you will feel that the relationship is beneficial.
There are so many ways you can do this, from offering to review someone’s website to offering to introduce a new contact to someone you think he should meet. There are also less formal ways to offer to help someone, like telling a new contact she can call you anytime for help or ideas in an area you specialize in.
Relationships that benefit both parties are stronger and in the end, are more valuable for you and your business. As you network, try to maintain a mindset of finding ways you can help your new contacts, rather than finding ways they can help you.
Be Genuinely Interested in Your Contacts and Their Work
One of the best ways to get into this kind of mindset is to be genuinely interested in your contacts and their work. Ask questions about what they do, their experience and what their business provides. Conversations that aren’t self-centered, but that focus on the other person, industry trends and other topics can help you build a stronger relationship.
Then, as you get to know the person and are genuinely interested in their work, your relationship will grow and become beneficial to you. Maybe this person will become a new client, or maybe she will refer you to someone who needs your services.
Form a Habit of Following Up
Finally, when you have the mindset that you will help others, and won’t form connections by looking for things others can do for you, you need to form a habit of following up with new connections. After you meet someone, send a follow-up email mentioning that it was great to meet and you hope to keep in touch.
You can also use this follow-up method to benefit your contacts. A very simple way to do this is to forward articles, resources and information to your contacts as you run across things that will interest them. A quick note on social media or a short email that says “I thought you might be interested in this,” tells a person you value your relationship and want to help her.
The secret to being a pro networker is to approach it with the right mindset. As you work to start a home based business or become a more successful network marketer, work on your networking skills. Reach out to others, build mutually beneficial relationships and look for ways you can help your contacts. If you would like some one-on-one business coaching in Ottawa, contact me.
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