Seasons Greetings

Networking or Selling?

A couple of weeks back a contact said to me "I really need to be networking with Companies with more than 250 employees."

We explored this a little more & established that her target market includes companies with more than 250 employees. She is selling into those companies not networking with them. The C level executives of those businesses network with their peers. As an independent professional providing service to those businesses it is important to build a network with other professionals with complimentary products and services in that space. It is those trusted relationships that are the route to market.

If you are looking for business today from the people you meet that is selling. Successful networking builds your business for tomorrow.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

Does your network sell for you?

I was interviewed last night by Richard White of The Accidental Salesman on the theme, "Does your network to sell for you?".

This was done as a live webcast and will be available as a download to members of Richard's Accidental Salesman Club.

We spoke about some of the mistakes that people make when networking and I shared the NRG four stage model of going from first meeting someone to have them become an advocate:
1. Make contact
2. Follow up
3. Build relationship
4. Develop advocacy

Read the full article at this link, "Does your network sell for you?".

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

Morgan PR and the Great Blogging Adventure: NRG giving!

I saw this post today from someone who came to our Reading Group's networking lunch & seminar;

Morgan PR and the Great Blogging Adventure: NRG giving!

It made me feel really good. How often do you leave positive feedback & testimonials?

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

Getting serious about Word of Mouth

A couple of weeks ago I attended a seminar at a PR Company in Reading. The theme was "Grow your own business through effective sales, PR & Marketing". There were some good tips on traditional sales, PR & Marketing. Social Networking, however, was completely absent from the presentation. I asked one of the presenters if they saw it as important. I was left with the impression that Web 2.0 was not something they had embraced.

The same week I saw a presentation from Steve Clayton of Microsoft on "Web 2.0, Social Networking, Blogging & more". He underlined the importance of utilising the technology and getting serious about Word of Mouth Marketing.

As Philip Calvert put it in a recent NRG Business Networking Seminar, "If you're not on Google, Facebook & Myspace you don't exist!"

How are you utilising Social Networking in your Word of Mouth strategy?

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success