From Visibility to Profitability – step #5
Goals for Networking
Networking is an essential part of “word-of-mouth” marketing and as such needs planning! Aside from social interaction, turning up to a networking function without a plan is a waste of time and money.
So what should your plan include?
1. The number of new contacts you plan to make
2. What your priorities at the function will be
3. How you will turn these contacts into relationships
For me I aim to make 5 new contacts at any networking event. I set that number because I know I have time to develop them into valuable relationships and referral sources. There is no value at all in winning the prize for the most cards collected……. as if there was such a prize! After all do you really have time to properly follow up on 25 or 50 contacts? And what level of exchange did you have when you met those people? The key here is quality, not quantity.
Next I have a plan – a step-by-step plan – for my follow up. I have yet to meet someone who has a better one. More to the point, mine produces results….. and business!
My goal with this plan is to create TOMA – top of mind awareness – with my contacts. I want to be the 1st person they think of when a need arises for my services. I want to stand out from the crowd, not blend in with it. Can you say you are “top of mind” with your contacts? Given that your follow up plan is probably the same as everyone else’s then you probably can’t.
The plan is detailed in the July 14th edition - 5 Sure Fire Steps to Million $ Relationships!
It is laid out and easy to follow so it only remains for me to wish you “good networking”!
