How to be Known

Why business relationships are formed with certain people?

If you go to a networking meeting and look around the room, can you tell which individuals you would like to converse with? It is likely you will gravitate towards those that are engaged in conversations and have an enthusiasm about them. If you see people sitting around looking like wall flowers, you will not be as likely to find out more about them. You cannot afford to waste your time at the meeting, you need to be that enthusiastic person and educate those around you. You should also make sure that you are listening to what others have to say so that you can decide if you have a common interest. Another point is to make sure that you are able to talk to them on their level, not yours. Discuss many things including hobbies and activities to find that common bond.

You need to give people a reason to listen to you and what you have to offer. In the long run, you want to develop a business relationship first and do business later. I was recently at a new (for me) networking club and they all chatted to each other like old friends. Instead of feeling left out, I walked around and listened to what they were saying and, if I had some experience in that subject, I found a way to interject and add my two cents. This technique gave me instant acceptance into the group.

The acceptance then allowed them to want to know who I was. I had formed an instant common bond. I also went back to my office and sent an email to each of the members I met and asked for an appointment to discuss how we could find leads for each other. Not one person turned me down.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.BlueprintBooks.com