Arizona Business Networking Opportunities. Ten Costly Mistakes People Make At Networking Events.

Networking - Leads Groups - Parties - Mixers - Meetings.

If you're reading this, you're probably already aware how powerful networking can be for your business or sales career. It's not always what you know, but who you know that makes a huge difference in achieving your goals.

Ten Costly Mistakes People Make At Business Networking Events, - And How To Avoid Them.

Business Networking 101 and Beyond

Be prepared. Take a notebook, pens, & business cards. You also may be asked to give a short commercial. At some events you can place your flyers on a table.

If you're going to attend a lot of events, buy a name badge. They cost $10 or less. If you're company is not widely known, consider adding a couple words on your badge that will attract curiosity.

Choose your networking groups carefully. There are only so many hours in a day, so you want to go to get involved with groups where you're likely to meet the people you want to meet.

In the event you're asked to speak, prepare a commercial. Don't talk about your qualifications or how great your company is. No one will remember what you said, unless there's something in it for them. Your only goal is say something so unusual or interesting, that people will approach you later to start a conversation. Be creative.

If you're shy, props may work. If your props are interesting enough people will approach you. e.g. if you're a loan officer you could wear a big colorful button that says, 'I sell money!'. If your business is about nutrition, you could wear a necklace with a plastic carrot dangling from it. If you're man you can wear an unusual tie clip. I know someone who takes his little furry mouse tie clip with him. It has nothing to do with his business, but it attracts attention and people remember him.

Arrive at least 1/2 hour early. The best time to network is before a meeting. After a meeting many people will be in a rush to leave. I don't recommend this, but I know people who go to large networking meetings early and discreetly leave as soon as the meeting starts! Careful you don't get caught doing this. It only works at events attended by 100's of people, where no one will miss you.

Take the first step. Make eye contact quickly and introduce yourself to everyone. Most people are shy and won't approach you first. Most people are waiting for someone to approach them first. You'll make a good impression if you appear to be outgoing. It's attractive because it's something everyone wants to be able to do, but most people are too shy to get out of their comfort zone. Don't be worried if you're nervous. Everyone will be nervous except perhaps the most seasoned professional networker. The first time you do it will be the hardest. The more you practice introducing yourself to strangers the easier it becomes.

Make it your goal to collect as many business cards as possible at each event. Do not hand out your business card, unless someone gives you their card first, or someone asks you for one. When you collect business cards you can decide who you will call back later and you will make a good impression by taking an interest in other people over your own agenda. When you hand out business cards, it's rare that genuine prospects will call you. You're more likely to get calls from people who are trying to sell you something. Even if some prospects want to call you, they may not for many reasons. They may lose your card. They may be too shy. They may forget. They may procrastinate. ... and they might meet one of your competitors who will close the sale. ...

If a networking meeting is large, limit your time with each person so you can talk to as many people as possible. If you want to speak to someone further, get their business card and ask if it would be ok to call them later. Make sure to call back within 24 hours - preferably the same day.

Do not try to sell to anyone at networking meetings. If you find someone who's interested, make arrangements to call back or get together with them later. The primary goal of networking is not to sell people at networking meetings. It's to develop business relationships and friendships so these people will recommend you to other people you know. Imagine having dozens of personal and business friends recommending you to people they meet every day. Imagine having so many friends, that you can call on almost any prospect and have a mutual friend. If you're selling to corporate America it may be next to impossible to talk with decision makers you need to speak with. But if you know their golfing buddy, or hair dresser, it's much easier. With permission, you can use the names of your networking partners to open doors that previously would have been closed tight.

Bonus Networking Tips

Accept volunteer positions that won't take up too much of your time, but will put you in contact with the people you want to know. It's much easier to get over your shyness, if you're an official host, greeter, or speaker. And people in your networking group will respect you for your the free time that you donate.

You will eventually receive many financial and personal rewards from networking, but these 'perks' aren't instant. They will take time. Do not expect to get much business from attending a few meetings. Although you might get lucky at your first event, it usually takes months, if not years to build trust and loyal friendships.

You can supercharge your results by giving to others first before expecting anything in return. What can you do to speed up the process? Volunteer. give leads to your new networking friends, find interesting guest speakers for your networking groups, and genuinely take an interest in helping other people to be successful.

Where To Network?

Where you choose to network will depend on you and the nature of your business. Look at our business groups

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