Business Networking - The Question No One Expects

How many times have you been in a networking situation where the other person talked endlessly about themselves? Or how about where the other person was only interested in pushing their product or service, without even trying to find out if it was a good fit for your business?

What if the other person asked, "How can I help you?" Would you fall on the floor with shock? Unfortunately, this is such a rare occurrence that you probably would. This question is magic, because, when you ask it, it focuses attention on the other person and conveys to them that you care more about their needs than your own. And the funny thing is, when you are focused on helping the other person, they become more interested in you and what you have to offer.

Try it the next time you are at a networking event. If the other person is so surprised by your question that they are speechless, start listing possible ways you could help. Can I introduce you to someone? Do you have some ideas you'd like to talk about? Are you trying to find groups to speak to about your area of expertise? Then be quiet and wait. If they do come up with something, tell them specifically how you can help. If they are unable to think of anything, tell them to give you a call if they come up with something, because you really would like to be of service.

You can also make the same offer in minutes using a greeting card. If you think the other person will be surprised if you ask how you can help face-to-face, imagine their shock when they get a personalized greeting card in the mail with a simple message like: "Hey Mark, I was just thinking about you today. We haven't talked in awhile and I just wanted to see if there is anything I can help you with in your business, you know, like introduce you to someone you've been trying to meet. Give me a call at (phone) and we can chat or meet for coffee. I appreciate you and just wanted you to know that. Hope to see you soon." Even if they don't call you, you can be sure you have made a positive impression.

Networking is about creating and enhancing relationships. The more you communicate your sincere desire to be of service, the stronger those relationships will be. Strong relationships will lead to more referrals and more business. Shock someone today!

Sara Blumenfeld, the Nurturing Networker, educates home-based and small business owners and entrepreneurs how to maximize their connections, consistency, and cash. Want more tips on business networking? Grab our free report at http://www.businessnetworkingmistakes.com

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Business Networking - Business Card Goldmine

So you've been in business awhile and gone to lots of networking events. You collected anywhere from a few to a stack of business cards at each event, and now you have this pile you don't know what to do with. It sits on the corner of your desk, mocking you. "You should have developed a relationship with these people," it says. "Now it's too late," it snickers.

Be of good cheer. Here are 9 things you can do with the snicker pile.

• Hold the pile in your hands and say out loud, "I appreciate all these people who have come in to my life."
• Sort the pile into the following three stacks: people who are in a complementary business (you can easily refer business back and forth to each other), people who are not in a complementary business but who might be a good resource for your clients and friends (plumber, electrician, etc), and everyone else.
• Take each of the three stacks and sort them in to people you know well and people you barely know (You will have a pile of people you know well who are in a complementary business and people you barely know in a complementary business, and so on). When you are finished you should have six stacks.
• Stack of cards of people you know well who are in a complementary business: these people have potential for the greatest number of quality referrals because you share the same target market with them. Send every one of these people a greeting card or email telling them how much you appreciate your connection with them. Ask for nothing-just express gratitude. Three to four weeks later, start inviting them to lunch (individually, or in small groups) to explore how you can work more closely together.
• Stack of cards of people you barely know who are in a complementary business: these people are potential powerful resources for you. Contact each one and invite them to join you for breakfast or lunch (individually, not as a group). Tell them you share the same target market and would like to explore how the two of you could work together for you mutual benefit.
• Stack of cards of people you know well who can be a resource for your clients and friends: contact them and say you would like to send a testimonial greeting card or letter out to your clients and friends on their behalf. Get together and have someone take a picture of the two of you that you will use on the card or letter. Show them a draft of what you want to send out (describing their services) and ask them to make changes or add anything that is missing. See if they can give you a couple short testimonials from other clients to include. Then send out the greeting card or letter to the clients and friends you think are most likely to use this person's product or service.
• Stack of cards of people you barely know who could possibly be a resource for your clients and friends: If the person is in a business not represented in the resource businesses of people you know well, contact them and tell them you are looking for someone in their profession to refer your clients and friends to. Meet for coffee and get to know them and their business a little bit. Refrain from pitching your own business.
• Stack of cards of people you know well who did not fit in the complimentary business or resource group: Send every one of these people a greeting card or email telling them how much you appreciate your connection with them. Ask if there is anything you can do to help their business.
• Stack of cards of people you barely know who did not fit in the complimentary business or resource group: toss the cards.

If you do even some of these things, you will have renewed energy flowing through your contacts, and new business and connections are bound to result.

Sara Blumenfeld, the Nurturing Networker, educates home-based and small business owners and entrepreneurs how to maximize their connections, consistency, and cash. Want more tips on business networking? Grab our free report at http://www.businessnetworkingmistakes.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_Blumenfeld

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Building Relationships and Trust to Grow Your Business

In regard to making money on the Internet, there are no quick ways to get rich. You cannot sign up for a program, place affiliate links, ads, and expect that money will start pouring in. You have to put time and effort into establishing yourself as trustworthy and also build a relationship.

Much of my time has been spent in the military. We learn pretty quickly that we have to build trust and relationships. When you are placed in charge of a mission that could be dangerous, you want people to believe in what you can do. You want them to feel comfortable talking to you, so you build relationships.

I have found that in my online business that I also have to build relationships. I choose to do this by being an active participant in social networks. I have built a network on MySpace, Yuwie, Facebook, forums, Squidoo, and other social networks. I learn from everyone else, much the way I do in the military. I get better each day because the people around me are getting better each day.

I enjoy starting groups and submitting articles to forum discussions. It helps me to stay motivated and it allows me to pass on knowledge that I have learned. In fact, one of the techniques that works best for me is writing articles like this one and getting them published on other people's websites using article syndication tools and software found online.

I have found that articles help me to be able to build relationships on the social networks, because I am participating. I think it's more respected for someone to teach something and contribute. With an article, I can do that and I can always place a link to my websites and programs.

It's this understanding that can separate you and make you unique. If you are willing to practice the fundamentals of your business faithfully and consistently, you will be destined to succeed on a high level. Nothing is easy and you can't succeed without relationships with other people. The trust you build will help you be more successful at obtaining success in your business.

Think about this carefully and become committed to building a network where you are proactive and participate. YOUR commitment to to establishing relationships will help you grow your network. Do this and you can be on the road to be rich in integrity, relationships, and your business will grow.

Copyright (c) Desiree Richardson Desiree Richardson, of Rich and Rich Home Opportunities and Entrepreneurs has helped people on several social networks to advertise their businesses. She works to network and get people working together to promote their business. Subscribe to our Home Business Tips Newsletter for FREE today http://richandrich.ning.com Sincerely, Desiree Richardson Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Desiree_Richardson

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Essential Elements of a Business Card

To promote their business growth, many organizations enter into alliances, joint ventures, or contracts. For this purpose, entrepreneurs build contacts with all those vital components to promote his business. A businessperson undergoes a frenzied schedule to attend several meetings, press conferences, presentations, seminars and many more events. A business card is one of the common things that exchanges hands during these occasions. Here comes into play the role of a card for business purposes.

The card for business is one of the promotional materials to encourage the business growth. Presentation of the card in businesses matters a lot when an entrepreneur presents his card to his counterpart. A shabby looking card will not create any effect on the mind of a viewer.

A card should be attractive and elegant in appearance. First is the quality of the paper to make the card. The quality of the paper should be good. You should use a fine quality that makes the contents of the card appear unique. The distinctive presentation of the card makes a reader or a viewer grasp the details with ease. For this reason, the printing ink and other contents should appear faultless and lucid.

Using your company's logo is essential, as this carries the corporate identity of your business. One should make enough space on the card for a logo. Graphics are also useful if they are necessary and related to the nature or goal of the company. Unnecessary stuffing of the graphics will make a card appear scruffy. Simplicity can bring elegance to a card.

Use of less pictorial and textual details will enable a viewer to grasp the important information more easily and retain these details. Simple design can render a professional appearance to a card, which also reflects your business. You can use short and crisp captions that can hold a viewer's attention. If you use colors, they should also match the shade of your logo or should reflect the nature of the business.

Many genuine companies offer services for making a business card. You can also opt for business card software available in the market that makes a user aware of the latest trends in card designing.

Edgar Paul a successful author and online marketing strategist. Written many articles on various topics and this time around with article on business card software like business card maker, design business cards, business card designer,creating business card, business card software etc.

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Create an Outstanding Elevator Pitch

Everyone has been told that they need to have a great elevator pitch, but how many of us really do? It is worth the time to sit down and develop one- and practice it. You never know when that once in a lifetime opportunity will happen so you want to be ready to knock someone's socks off.

To create a great elevator pitch, ask yourself the following questions.

- What affect do you have on those that you have relationships with?
This is not about offering a product or a service. It's about how you really have impact for those that you serve. Be honest. And, don't be too modest. You bring a lot to the table. Otherwise, you wouldn't be successful. Create a list and figure out the top things that make you outstanding.

- How do you accomplish goals for those that you serve?
List the unique attributes for yourself or your organization that make clients want to do business with you over and over again. Put yourself in your customer's shoes and figure out the most important reasons why they choose you over someone else.

- In what way does that change the life of the person or company that you serve?
Clients need to feel appreciated, confident, and secure in their business decisions. Decide what you or your company does that helps them feel this way.

Take all this information and create an elevator pitch. Make it short so that you can say it within thirty to sixty seconds. And, write it in a way that makes them want more. Following is an example elevator pitch created for LOI International.

We are the ultimate marketing "relationshippers" for visionary companies that love to play "what if" while maintaining a laser-focus on maximizing their potential. We do that not only by planning and implementing traditional communications efforts, but by also creating original ways of connecting clients with the different personalities and resources they need to reach. What that means for you is an assurance that your marketing is aligned with your revenue potential in a way that spurs contagious success. I would love the opportunity to provide you with more information. Would you prefer a phone call or email

Lauren L. Darr is the President and Founder of DIY Mmarketing Communications, a brand of Lauren Originals, Inc. She has over 20 years experience in working with companies large and small on their marketing efforts. Her passion is working with small businesses and entrepreneurs to create successful marketing campaigns. You can get a FREE report by Lauren, "The Top 3 Pitfalls of Marketing and How to Avoid Them" at http://www.diymarketingcommunications.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lauren_Darr

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