Congratulations! You’ve started your own business and now you’re ready to make money. Of course, you still need to find paying customers. Start networking because people like to buy from those they know and trust.

Perhaps you are being hounded to take action by your conscience, your partner, or a well-meaning friend. You’ve heard the gurus yapping about the benefits of networking, and you wish someone would shepherd you in the right direction, preferably to a waiting pool of prospects. Just think of DOGS, and you’ll remember these simple pointers for networking more easily.

Do it.
It’s easy to make excuses for not networking. It does take time, energy, thought, and money for member fees, business cards, transportation, and Internet access. If you’re an introvert, it also takes a great deal of courage. Ignore the excuses and start networking. It gets easier with practice. You have so many options, too. Attend Chamber of Commerce mixers, participate in forums related to your industry, take part in association meetings, contact your alumni chapter, visit conferences and conventions that interest your target audience, and make friends on social networks like Facebook or Twitter.

Only go alone if you can’t invite a friend.
When you go to a networking event with someone, you avoid the awkward feeling associated with walking into a room alone. If you don’t know how to strike up a conversation with strangers, you can always say something like “Have you met my friend?” and then mention your friend’s name and business or interests. Your friend can do the same for you. This has two distinct advantages: you don’t have to talk about yourself and you appear more approachable because you are not self-centered.

Go prepared.
Take plenty of business cards to exchange. Add brochures, informational CDs, or samples in display cases if this is allowed by the event organizers. Other essentials include a smile, a name tag which includes your company logo and area of expertise, and pen and paper for taking notes about requests and prospect needs that require your follow-up.

If you are networking online, complete your profile. Add a recent picture. Add a link or URL that will let others learn more about you without being subjected to a sales pitch.

Set goals before you go.
Decide what you want to accomplish at each networking event you attend. You may want to meet five new people or someone providing online presence management services or people who have benefitted from SCORE counseling. Your goals are uniquely your own. If networking is high on your least-favorite-things-to-do list, achieving your goals gives you instant gratification while you work on building the long term relationships that lead to sales and repeat customers.

Next time you are tempted to run away instead of walking into a networking venue, put a leash on those feelings by applying the DOGS rule. You’ll be glad you did.

Debbie Lynn Butler wants you to do what you love best. Let a virtual assistant from AVA Professional Support Services do the rest. Get free tips and tools for making the most of your time and resources at http://avapss.net/vatip.aspx Receive our latest business-boosting ideas when you sign up for our newsletter.

Article Source