The Nuances of Networking

Mention the word networking and you usually either get a "where and when" response or a look of "not me!" For the latter, a networking event may be synonymous with a root canal. But it doesn't have to be painful. Unlike things like parenting, which you learn only when you become one, you can learn how to network.

To start off, rather than looking at networking as something you "must do", it helps to think of it as a tool to help you grow business. That is, actually, what it is. It's meeting people?. talking, sharing, discussing. It's not going to a function where you know you'll be uncomfortable and passing out all of your business cards. Nor is it seeing how many cards you can collect.

So let's simplify it. Let's take networking and break it down to its basic components..or what I'm calling nuances.

1. Networking is about meeting new people and building your network.

It's not blatant selling. In fact, the "in your face" salespeople are not good networkers. They turn people off.

2. Lighten up.

Stop thinking of a networking event as something you're forced to get through. Instead, think of it as a chance to meet interesting people in a comfortable environment with good food and drink. Take some of the pressure off.

3. You're not being graded on this.

People are not there to see whether you're doing a good job or not. They don't care.

Networking events present opportunities to build your network. Period.

4. Learn from the pros.

There are people who love to network and do it regularly. You probably know some. They write books and newsletters. They build websites on networking. Visit their websites and read their books.

5. Feign interest, if necessary, until you feel it.

Twelve step groups teach you to "act as if?" Try it. Act as if you're enjoying yourself and you may find that you are. Sometimes it's just getting over the fear of something new.

6. Think of what you have to gain versus what you have to lose.

If networking didn't work, why would there be so many networking events? Things don't succeed if they're failing. There must be something to gain if so many people are attending these functions.

7. How are you building your business?

100% of my business comes either from client referrals or networking. It's a lot cheaper than placing ads or running commercials. All you need are business cards. You don't even have to hire anyone?. although if you do hire salespeople, you'll want to make sure they can network as part of the job.

8. Networking adds value.

How? Because growing your network helps your customers. And being able to help your customers adds value to your services. The more people you know, the more contacts you have for services and goods. This helps you become a resource for your customers and colleagues. My clients know they can call me for just about anything, and I'll probably be able to help them. If I didn't network, there'd be no way to do this.

9. Networking helps you learn and grow.

Small business owners, especially, can become isolated. It's important to stay active in your business community and in your industry. You need to be current on what's going on that affects your business. You need to stay on top of trends. And one of the easiest ways to do this is by networking?joining organizations, chambers of commerce, networking groups?attending events, lectures, seminars and workshops.

So, if you've been avoiding networking, now's as good a time as any to give it a try. You have nothing to lose and a lot of potential business to gain.

Copyright © 2004 Rickey Gold & Associates

Rickey Gold & Associates is a small, hands-on, Chicago-based marketing communications firm which focuses on helping clients identify, entice and sell to their target markets.

http://www.rickeygold.com
rg@rickeygold.com
773.348.4973

---

Google News Updated : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:34:03 GMT Sports of The Times Giants Leave Door Open to a Burress Return - New York Times Washington Post Sports of The Times Giants Leave Door Open to a Burress Return New York Times - 1 hour ago By WILLIAM C. RHODEN On Tuesday, a day after Plaxico Burress was hit with two counts of illegal weapons possession, Jerry Reese, the Giants’ general manager, broke the news to Burress: He was finished for the season, suspended without pay and fined. Report: Pierce will testify before grand jury FOXSports.com Pierce Reportedly to Testify to Grand Jury Washington Post Sports Network - The Chattanoogan - New York Daily News - TurnTo23.com all 4,418 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:20:44 GMT Rice satisfied with Pakistan's anti-terror stance - The Associated Press guardian.co.uk Rice satisfied with Pakistan's anti-terror stance The Associated Press - 31 minutes ago ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan's leaders know what's at stake after the terror attack in Mumbai and have acknowledged their duty to evict terrorists and prevent future attacks, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday. Video: Rice in Pakistan to Push Terror Probe AssociatedPress Protesters in Mumbai have chanted anti-Pakistan slogans BBC News Christian Science Monitor - Wall Street Journal - International Herald Tribune - AFP all 4,568 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:02:38 GMT Franken's campaign protests 133 mystery ballots from Minneapolis - Minneapolis Star Tribune guardian.co.uk Franken's campaign protests 133 mystery ballots from Minneapolis Minneapolis Star Tribune - 1 hour ago only concerned with a fair vote count when it benefits his numbers. That so many voted for this ignorant fraud in my beloved home state is … read more a source of great concern to me. Coleman campaign withdraws 650 ballot challenges The Associated Press Franken Demands 'Immediate and Intensive' Search for 133 Lost Ballots FOX 9 News TPM Election Central - Economist - Hawaii Reporter - Post-Bulletin all 872 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:11:30 GMT Hutchison takes step toward run for governor - USA Today The Associated Press Hutchison takes step toward run for governor USA Today - 1 hour ago WASHINGTON (AP) (AP) - US Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison took the first formal step Thursday toward a run for Texas governor, setting up what was already becoming a bruising Republican primary battle in 2010 between her and Gov. Hutchinson files to form exploratory comm. Bizjournals.com Kay Bailey Hutchison edges toward governor's run Dallas Morning News The Associated Press - CQPolitics.com - Abilene Reporter-News - News-Journal.com all 292 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:06:53 GMT Health Buzz: State Health Rankings and Other News - U.S. News & World Report eFluxMedia Health Buzz: State Health Rankings and Other News U.S. News & World Report - 3 hours ago Vermont is the healthiest US state, while Louisiana is the least healthy, according to the 19th annual America's Health Rankings report, issued by the United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association, and the Partnership for Prevention ... Washington Ranked Tenth Healthiest State KUOW NPR Florida slips in health survey Bizjournals.com InjuryBoard.com - Hawaii Reporter - FierceHealthcare - Minneapolis Star Tribune all 243 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:59:46 GMT Report critical of NY education - Bizjournals.com ABC News Report critical of NY education Bizjournals.com - 38 minutes ago New York high schools lag behind several states when it comes to educating students who go on to college. The likelihood of a New York high school freshman enrolling in college by age 19 is 44 percent, according to a new report by the Natonal Center ... New College Cry: Affordability U.S. News & World Report Colleges say they're struggling to make ends meet College Times Charleston Regional Business - CNN - Annapolis Capital - Albany Times Union all 945 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:55:34 GMT Zimbabwe Declares Cholera Emergency - New York Times Zimbabwe Declares Cholera Emergency New York Times - 2 hours ago By BARRY BEARAK JOHANNESBURG - The Zimbabwean health minister, David Parirenyatwa, has declared the nation’s cholera outbreak a national emergency and appealed for outside help, the state-controlled Herald newspaper reported on Thursday. WHO Says Zimbabwe Cholera Estimates May Be Too Low Voice of America Zimbabwe declares cholera national emergency CNN International BBC News - Reuters India - AFP - guardian.co.uk all 1,240 news articles Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:56:36 GMT RSS Parser Increase Web Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Five Ideas for Unique (and Cheap) Marketing

Home-based businesses generally lack the large marketing budgets of bigger... Read More

Business Team Leadership: Pull Them, Dont Push Them

This article is primarily directed toward people who work at... Read More

What is the Secret About a Multilevel Marketing Business?

Maybe it is the stigma attached to it, that all... Read More

9 Sure Fire Methods to explode your Downline

Everyone dreams of building a Profitable MLM Sales Team. Unfortunately... Read More

MLM Leads: How To Improve Your List

MLM Leads are the lifeblood of many network marketers. Over... Read More

MLM Lead Generation

In Multi-level marketing (MLM), or network marketing, the business owner... Read More

Looking For A Home Based Business? - 11 Factors For Choosing A Network Marketing Business

Who wouldn't want to work from home? There's no commute,... Read More

MLM Professional as a Freedom Fighter

"I am a freedom fighter. All of us in the... Read More

How to Get Rich with Network Marketing

Network marketing is a marketing strategy being increasingly put to... Read More

The Misconception Of Multi-Level Marketing

Ever wonder why people are so turned off at the... Read More

Importance Of Leads

The information containing details of the sale, provided by the... Read More

Clueless About Network Marketing?

A year ago, I began reading about real estate and... Read More

EXPLODE Your Network Marketing Team Into An INCREDIBLE Recruiting Machine!

Let's face it! Most people who join a Network Marketing... Read More

MLM Network Marketing Training: MLM Success - What is the REAL Secret? Do YOU Know?

After 22 years in this industry, 14 years fulltime in... Read More

Network Marketing - Lifetime Residual Income

What is network marketing?Many of you might be asking yourself... Read More

Finding The Intangible

This article is dedicated to novice entrepreneurs who are struggling... Read More

MLM Genealogy Leads

As with any other start up, a new multi-level marketing... Read More

Which MLM Opportunity?

So, you have become an MLM Opportunity Seeker and you... Read More

Purposeful Web Site Planning - Dont Get Started Without Goals

It seems like everyone has a web site these days.... Read More

MLM, Pyramid Schemes, and Matrices

Have you ever wondered what the difference is? MLM operators... Read More

7 Different MLM Compensation Types Explained

As the Number of Network Marketing Programs proliferate the Number... Read More

MLM Training- The New MLM Distributors Getting Started Checklist

A List for MLM Success.That is what I am talking... Read More

MLM Success Training- The 5 Success Traits You MUST Have in Network Marketing

The MLM REALITY Check.It's all what's inside you that counts.No... Read More

How To Choose a Good MLM or Network Marketing Company?

You've heard many horror stories about MLM /network marketing programs.... Read More

MLM Recruiting Success- The MLM Recruiting Myth in Network Marketing

There is a Myth, a Lie, a Bogus concept that... Read More