Be really specific when defining your Target Market

At Network Central yesterday a photographer new to networking came over to the NRG stand. He wanted to know how networking might work for him. I asked how he got business - through direct mailing.

"What sort of response do you get" I asked - "Oh about 20%" he said. My jaw dropped and I asked how he got such a high response rate. "Well, I photograph babies and I subscribe to a mailing list where I receive details of women who have just given birth. Most women like to have a photo of their newborn!"

It just shows if you have a really specific target market and you know what they want you can get exceptionally good results.

Having conversations that matter when networking

I was asked yesterday for a list of the people and companies that attend our networking events. It's a reasonable request as you want to ensure that you are using your time effectively when you attend networking events.

The question is often asked, but mainly for the wrong reason. People often ask to find out if potential clients will be attending. The right reason is to make sure that other people attend with things in common with you. Others that provide products and services to similar clients to you. That way you can have conversations about the things that matter to your clients and potential clients.

Conversations lead to more connections, relationships and advocates. Ultimately to many more potential clients than you can ever meet yourself. Better to think of the people you meet networking as a route to market and not the market.

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

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---

Are you the answer for your network?

At a seminar this week at an NRG-networks event in London the speaker, Grant Leboff, shared his insights into the changes taking place in Sales & Marketing. The web has meant a revolution in communication and massive choice in everything that we need. When we need something now we do two things, we ask our network and we search online.

Do you have a strategy for building word of mouth for you and your business?

When someone in your network gets asked about a problem that you solve are you given as THE answer to that problem? You should be if your networking is effective.

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

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---

Be prepared for speaking slots

The seminar presenter at a recent monthly NRG London Charing Cross Networking Event was unavoidably out of the country and unable to attend. One of the members, Cali Bird, stepped forward and presented a great seminar on Time Management in his place.

She shared her expertise and inspired the audience to take some of the steps required to achieve their personal and business goals. She certainly built her reputation and will be at the forefront of the minds of the attendees when they see an opportunity for someone like Cali.

Sharing your expertise in this way is a great way of giving value and growing advocates for you and your business.

If you get the opportunity are you ready to speak?

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

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---

Applying the 7 habits to your business networking

The best selling Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey lists the seven habits that will help you become more effective if you work on them.

The 7 habits (be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think "win/win", seek first to understand and then to be understood, synergise, sharpen the saw) are a great place to start with any personal development.

As you might expect they also offer some great insights into how you can be effective at business networking.

* Habit 1: Be Proactive:
You need commitment and the right attitude. Take the lead in conversations, make connections, and share your expertise.

* Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind:
Work out what you want from your networking. If you are not absolutely
clear about this you will be unable to respond when others offer you help.

* Habit 3: Put First Things First:
Set yourself targets for the things that YOU can control including;
• The amount of time you can devote to networking
• The number of events you can attend
• The number of 1-2-1’s you can arrange
• How much time you can spend online
• Building a contacts database
• What introductions you can give
• Choose the right networking organisation for you

* Habit 4: Think Win/Win:
Develop a giving mentality and become an Advocate for others. An Advocate is someone who promotes you and your services without being asked or paid. Remember, what goes round comes round.

* Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood:
When you meet someone through networking you need to bear in mind whether you want to take it further. To help you decide try & listen more than talk, understand their issues and build rapport. Ask open questions and good follow-up questions. Reveal things about yourself to establish common ground.

* Habit 6: Synergise:
Look for synergies whenever you meet people and add them to your network. The value of future collaboration will exceed the sum of what each of you could achieve on your own.

* Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw:
Use the knowledge in your network to constantly learn and improve. Share your knowledge with the network so they can do the same. Look out for networks that value the education that members can share with each other.

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

---

business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

---