Networking to market your business

Networking to market your business -

If you do not want to make cold calls and you do not have a full bank account for advertising then consider networking to market your business.

meetings - regular business networking meetings will give you business friends, some business referrals in the long run and depending on the group some education to help you grow your business to the next level.  If people buy from someone they know, they like and they trust then this type of networking can help you market your business.

tradeshows - small business tradeshows are a networking opportunity that also has some marketing opportunities to purchase a booth / table.  Having a booth / table means that people come to you to network which can sometimes make it easier to network.  It gives you a chance to show off / display what you do.  Networking at event like this also gives you a safe way to network - you can visit all of the tables.  They want to talk to everyone.  Talk to them to find out what they sell and only after they ask what you do should you tell them.  They paid for the chance to have a table and you are a participant.

networking events - these events can have from 15 to 50 people.  Everyone attends these events in the hopes of selling their product or service.  First strategy is to listen to the other person and then you will get the chance to promote yourself.  In many cases, you can start a business relationship with someone at an event like this.  You may go home with many business cards but only a few strong leads or opportunities to have coffee and continue to build business relationships.  The good news is you now have business cards that you can follow up on - phone them!  Ask them if you can send them your newsletter.

large networking events - these events have over 100 people.  I suggest having a few different goals -- 1) I want to go home with 30 business cards 2) I want to meet 3 people that we schedule a coffee meeting and 3) I want to help at least 3 people so they remember me later.  Trying to get all of the business cards means that you will not get time to shake any hands.  Trying to have long conversations with people means you only meet one person.  Try and balance your time.

To help find business networking meetings and events -
www.businessconnectionexchange.ca
www.biznetworknews.com
www.thenetworker.ca

To book a business consultation to discuss your networking needs call Cheryl at 647-287-0320.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
Social media - twitter / linked in / facebook

Network For The Future

Network For The Future

When you network, if you are focused on results today you will usually be disappointed. If you network and focus on the future then you will make many more contacts and build better business relationships and in the long run get much stronger results. Networking can be the fastest and least expensive way to market your business but you need to focus on the future.

- talk to people to find out what they do
- tell people what you do (do not only talk about them buying from you)
- listen for things that others need and see if you can help them
- tell people how they can help you -- can they listen for a new client? Can they watch for places to post free articles? Can they suggest a group that needs a speaker?
- remember that most people need to meet you and / or get information from you at least 7 times before they buy from you.

Business Connection Exchange is hosting a tradeshow and networking event on Wed. June 8th in Mississauga. Come and practice your networking. Be sure to bring at least 100 business cards. www.business-connection-exchange.ca

To improve your networking skills, call Cheryl Rankin at 647-287-0320 to schedule a coffee meeting.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca

Holiday Parties

Holiday Parties -

No matter what Holiday Party you are invited to, you need to be ready to network. "What do you do?" is your chance but an unprepared person will waste the chance.
- keep it short
- do not offer your business card until you are asked for it
- try to peak their interest
-best if you tell a story about a successful client

Business Connection Exchange is hosting a Holiday Party for business owners on Dec. 2nd. It is open to members and guests. Everyone is welcome! For details check - www.business-connection-exchange.ca ...earlybird prices have been extended.

If you need help finding events that sut your business, call me.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca

No time for networking?

I was telling someone about the business networking lunch that I am going to be chairing starting on October 3rd and their reaction was "I do not have time to network". Wow! I was impressed - too many clients to network - well actually no they do not have too many clients. They are too busy looking for clients to network.

I put on my trainer/teaching hat and decided to explain why I network --- here is how it went...

How often do your clients purchase your product or service based on your initial interaction? Never. Ok then, do your clients need to trust you and know you a little bit before buying from you? Definitely!

When you attend a networking event regularly you get the chance to safely develop a relationship with many other business owners. As their trust in you develops, they may consider buying from you. The best part about the repetitive nature of networking comes when the person trusts you enough to put their own name on the line and give you a referral.

To take full advantage of networking - tell people who your target market is and what types of things they should listen for. If you hear someone say - I have no plan then I want you to have them call me at Fit For Business.

Even though it takes awhile to start generating leads, connections and/or referrals; it is totally worth the effort. If you need any help in setting up your networking plan, call me and we will sit down and talk about it over coffee.

The group that I will be chairing on Wednesdays at lunch is Business Connection Exchange - Toronto Downtown. We meet on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 12 - 1:30pm; Town & Country Restaurant, 190 Queen's Quay at Sherbourne, $15 / buffet and free parking.

If you are available on Wed. Oct 3rd and/or Wed. Oct 17th, then please let me know and get it in your schedule. Make time for networking and in the long run you will save time searching for clients.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
fitforbusiness@rogers.com
www.fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.blogspot.com