Too many “sales types” damage networking events. They treat new contacts like a customer to sell to.

Instead, smart networking at meetings is about listening to other people, learning their situation, and starting to develop a connection. Sometimes you hear what people need and you can help out. Give your time and you will gain much.

Join A Group; Show Your Face

If you are an accountant, you can help with a non-profit group’s books, financials, taxes or other issues, some overworked board members will try to put you into the back office with a stack of receipts.

Or if your are a I.T. professional, you might be asked to clean up security issues.

Instead, try for something else, such as packing food into boxes at a charity, or helping out with stacking chairs and tables before and after an event. Then people will chat with you, and you get a chance to learn who’s who.

Make interacting with others your goal. That starts relationships which can grow into trust.

Test Your Contact List

Don’t go to just any association or group to meet new people, choose a group that you know little about.

1. Review your contact list and client list. The Fall business season is starting soon, so you have time to consider options.
2. Which community, social, faith, sporting, arts and business groups are already well represented in your lists?
3. Which groups are NOT well represented? Every region has many organizations looking for more members
4. Find 3 groups to check out and schedule going to one of their events
5. Before the first event, try to find 2 people within the group (use their website), phone them and introduce yourself. Explain that you’d like to attend, and if they are open to introduce you to others. Most will be pleasantly surprised and very helpful.

Take Time, And Be Picky

Every organization needs help. Choose one group after trying out a few based on “what feels right”. Remember, your goal over the next few months is getting to know others and building some relationships. Get out of your comfort zone a little to gain a diverse set of contacts and it will pay off later.

Each Member Is A Connector

Bad networkers see new contacts as sales leads. Great networkers see that each new contact is a gateway to that person’s contact list. Over time, each new contact will start to trust you. Then, you never know when, someone they are close to asks “Do you know any accountants? I’m having problems with (payroll, software, legal issues) Then, your new contact has the opportunity to give your name.

It’s Not About Your Credentials

People will judge you positively if you are a regular in their group, reasonably generous with helping out, and a good listener. They will assume your skills are good. They see all in your profession as mostly equal, but they see the person they know in a much better light. You don’t need to discuss technical details, you just need to be reliable in volunteering.

There are many more networking skills and ways to stay in touch, however just showing your face, asking relevant questions and being predictable is what works very well. The other skills will be learned over time later.

Talk to us at Gap Management if you need:

1. Email series to potential clients to educate them about their situation, not to persuade them;
2. Website design and content;
3. Confidential Client Satisfaction Survey;
4. How to manage new contacts within a Contact Management system;
5. Ideas for media, possible community talks and other ways to build yourself as a local authority.

Those are just some of the Professional Service Marketing tools we provide.