Network Your Way to Success- 12 Tips to Jumpstart Your Business


Lots of people network but few reap the rewards of zeroing in on their potential when it comes to networking. Here are some tips to help fill the gap between where you are now and where you can be.

1- Be Generous- Give without expectations and you will be surprised at how it returns to you. It may not come from the same source but a new client, referral, or opportunity will show up because of your efforts.

2- Be Consistent- As in marketing, the more consistent your networking efforts the more productive they become. Jay Conrad Levinson of Guerilla Marketing stated, "I hate to admit this, but mediocre marketing with commitment works better than brilliant marketing without commitment."

3- Know & Clarify WIIFT- When creating your introduction clarify who your target market is and "what's in it for them". Sell benefits. Verizon sells wireless phone service but sells it when you believe they never stop working to fill your phone service needs. "Can you hear me now?"

4- Get Involved- Getting involved puts you in a consistent position of visibility.

5- Be a Powerful Resource & Advocate for Others- Expand your network and be an advocate for others. Use your networking resources to hook up people you know with others. What goes around comes around.

6- Learn the Needs of Others then Help Fill Those Needs- Can your business fill their needs? Who do you know who can? Either way you have a win/win situation.

7- Build the Know- Like- Trust Factor- Building relationships is more important than collecting lots of leads. Think quality vs. quantity. Connect deeper vs. on the surface.

8- It's More Important to Receive Business Cards than Hand Them Out- This puts you in a position to be able to follow up.

9- Consistently Follow- Up- It's not enough to have a network. Follow up and continue developing your relationships and network. Have a good reason to follow up or ask "how can I help you?"

10- Develop Advocates- Build relationships with Centers of Influence who connect with your ideal client or customer. Offer incentives for referrals or provide great benefits.

11- Be Curious- The 6 Degrees of Separation Theory states that we are only 6 people away from finding out anything we need to know. Be curious and you will be surprised at what people, resources, and information are at your finger tips.

12- Develop You- You can grow your business as big as you can grow yourself. Start there!

To shift into action choose one tip to focus on for a week and see what new results come your way. Then try on another and so on. Before you know it your networking efforts will be paving your way to success. Starting Now!

Copyright 2004 © Beth A. Tabak, All rights reserved.

Beth Tabak is a Business & Life Coach, columnist, & owner of Starting Now. She is 100% committed to coaching small business owners and professionals to grow beyond limits, and create the business and life they keep thinking about. Free informative classes, resources, ezines, and more at http://www.startingnowcoaching.com







Related News



REGIONAL BUSINESS NEWS: Agridata awarded ... Anchor Marketing ... - Grand Forks Herald

REGIONAL BUSINESS NEWS: Agridata awarded ... Anchor Marketing...
Grand Forks Herald, ND -Nov 21, 2008
Anchor Marketing, Grand Forks, was awarded a 2008 American Graphic Design Award by Graphic Design USA, a national news magazine for graphic designers and ...

Global job losses hit local marketing units - The Australian

Global job losses hit local marketing units
The Australian, Australia -3 hours ago
RETRENCHMENTS in the Australian branches of some US ompanies, combined with staff freezes and cuts, are limiting marketing job opportunities. ...

Local retailers counting on regular shoppers, not pricey marketing ... - Beaumont Enterprise

San Diego Union Tribune

Local retailers counting on regular shoppers, not pricey marketing...
Beaumont Enterprise, tx -11 hours ago
Many are opting not to tackle expensive holiday marketing campaigns to boost store traffic during the holidays, and instead said they are relying on regular ...
BLACK FRIDAY GUIDE: ONLINENewsday
Holidays have retailers boxed inMinneapolis Star Tribune
all 123 news articles

Does Your Marketing Measure Up? - CRM Buyer

Does Your Marketing Measure Up?
CRM Buyer -4 hours ago
By Brian Gilbert How do you know if the marketing spending you're doing is getting traction? CEOs need to ask the tough questions of their marketing heads ...

Anheuser-Busch's sports marketing chief to retire - CNNMoney.com

BBC News

Anheuser-Busch's sports marketing chief to retire
CNNMoney.com -Nov 17, 2008
NEW YORK (Associated Press) - The vice president of global media and sports marketing at Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. will retire at the end of the year, ...
Will Anheuser-Busch InBev burnish the Budweiser icon?St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Peacock names AB’s US business leadersBizjournals.com
Sports Marketing Guru Tony Ponturo Leaves Anheuser-BuschCNBC
Wall Street Journal - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
all 638 news articles

HBO Laces Up Marketing Gloves For PPV Bout - Multichannel News

Multichannel News

HBO Laces Up Marketing Gloves For PPV Bout
Multichannel News, NY -11 hours ago
“We have an unprecedented marketing effort,” said Arum, adding that “you only can do this level for a mega-event but for these blockbusters this effort is ...

Nonprofits can be considered for free marketing services - Pensacola News Journal

Nonprofits can be considered for free marketing services
Pensacola News Journal, FL -9 hours ago
Through the GoodWörks program, Ideawörks will award a year's worth of marketing services to a small local nonprofit that needs to build awareness of its ...


Marketing Webinar to Help Businesses in a Downturn Economy - 42 ... - PR.com (press release)

Marketing Webinar to Help Businesses in a Downturn Economy - 42 ...
PR.com (press release), NY -19 hours ago
Upcoming webinar focuses on practical marketing. Despite the downturn economy, California based marketers Laura Lowell and Jennifer L. Jacobson are ...

Saturday Interview Hoping to Sell the Emotion of Love (and Rings) - New York Times

Saturday Interview Hoping to Sell the Emotion of Love (and Rings)
New York Times, United States -Nov 21, 2008
While these are especially gloomy times for retailers, Mr. Goldberg says his company’s marketing campaign, which focuses on the emotional aspects of its ...

Big Brand Marketing for Small Businesses - PR Web (press release)

Big Brand Marketing for Small Businesses
PR Web (press release), WA -8 hours ago
Album creative studios tailors big brand marketing for small business owners in Orange County. Affordable brand marketing and online marketing are essential ...