Hi, I have never been to a networking event before. Until now I have always been working in the background in cold air conditioned secure rooms of large corporate IT departments. Now venturing out on my own into the world of business I find myself having to become the 'sales' person I always dreaded.

Posting this brief message to see if there are any tips people can give a quiet, shy and reserved techy who finds himself thrust into new surroundings in unfamiliar territories looking for people to speak to at this weeks Crowthorne Business Biscotti.

Look forward to all and any tips and tricks as well as any encouraging words of wisdom.

Thanks in advance, Tony.

Hello Tony,

I've been there, 8 months ago. First off, I'd say that Business Biscotti is a good place to start as it is very informal and friendly. So some tips.

1) Look at it as going to meet some people and chat. Don't think of it as selling or being pushy and that might help take away any nerves. In the one's I go to, there is no standing up and talking, it is all face to face.

2) Talk to other people about their businesses - be interested in what they have to offer as networking is a two way thing.

3) Make sure you have a clear idea of what your business is ... in a way that other people understand. People talk about a 30 second pitch that isn't necessary in BB but it if you can capture someone's interest in the first 30 seconds, you'll be in a good place. So make it snappy and interesting.

4) Enjoy it ... it is your time, you are are starting out in a fabulous adventure, so be enthusiastic, positive and be open minded. I've met loads of different businesses that I would never normally meet so it is mind-expanding as well!

Have fun and best of luck.

Paul

Networking is about Building Relationships - trusted and long lasting - its not about selling your service or product. It takes time and tenacity but it pays off big time in the end. Tr ust me I have set up and run 6 Businesses on Networking over 25 years!

Well I survived and everyone who I met was very friendly and made me feel very welcome. Even managed to learn a few things about painting and marketing while I was there.

Could not have been too bad as I have committed to go to Bracknell and Wentworth next week to give them a try - so again if there is someone hanging round the coffee looking lost, go chat with him.

Not sure how to start or join in a conversation yet so any advise regarding that would be welcome. However once I get going people have trouble stopping me - lol.

Anyway thanks for making me feel welcome.

Regards, Tony.

Hi Tony,

Well done in taking your first step in networking.

I have found it helps to become a regular visitor so people get to know you and you them.
Once this happens it becomes easier to mingle and you could always join someone you have met before and perhaps ask them to introduce you to other people.

You could go with a plan to meet and get to know at least 3 new people so you get the most out of the time there and also maybe think about the type of businesses you are interested in finding out more about so you can meet people who you will enjoy talking to.

When people ask you about your business tell them the services you offer not just your job title.
For example mine would be, "I help people make changes in their lives so they feel great" rather than I'm a Hypnotherapist.

Hope you enjoy your next networking sessions.

Let us know how you get on.

Sue

Tony,

Well done, you have been blooded!

My tip (just one since I can imagine you are rather overwhelmed by advice) is:
FOLLOW UP. But whats does following up actually mean, you may ask.

I follow up anybody
a) that I think I can help
b) that I think can help me
c) can help a contact or be helped by a contact

So don't expect others to do the work. In fact, expect others NOT to do the work after the event. Almost always I am the one the follows up and not a single person I met does it. Amazing really. You invest all that time in the event, getting there and scheduling it and you don't spend the 10 minutes it takes to follow up.

I create EXCUSES for following up. If someone mentions they have an interest in decorating, then I find a link to the Farrow & Ball paint samples sites for example (a real one). If they ask for networking advice, I offer to send them for free an e-book that we give to paying delegates of our workshop helping solicitors with their business networking. Just contact me directly if you do want that.

The trick is to make as many connections of the highest quality as possible.

Make the nature of the follow up appropriate to the quality of the contact you made. If you spend 20 minutes talking to one person (of course you should not, but that is another matter) then a more detailed followed is more appropriate than with someone with whom you merely exchanged cards as a group.

You may be surprised how initially very weak contacts become profitable and strong contacts once you get to know them. And that begins at the follow up.

Follow ups I use include:
- offering to connect on LinkedIn. And then DOING it!
- offer to connect with a contact who may offer synergies to the person you have met. Then DOING IT. Call the other person and tell them you are going to introduce them to the new contact. You then strengthen two contacts for the price of 1.
- picking up on any business aches and pains and pointing out potential solution ideas such as web sites, articles, free online resources, etc
- offer to meet for a coffee next time you are near to each other, just simply to chat. You will be surprised where these coffee chats leads
- offer to give some free advice based on your area of specialism
- suggesting other events they could attend that might be of interest (I keep people's details and invite them to other networking events I am attending or free events that I organise)

The vast majority of people you follow up, you will never meet or talk to again. But some you will build business relationships with, that end up yielding revenue you would never have otherwise generated. I speak from experience. But don't take my word for it - experiment and try it for a few months. If nothing else, your LinkedIn profile will look impressive very quickly.