Networking Basics - Widening Your Circle of Influence

If you count up the number of people you meet every day, you will probably be astounded. Networking opportunities are abundant in our day to day activities.

Networking can be a critical success path to growing and establishing a business. When you expand your network, you create a sphere of influence which can help spread the word about your company and the services and/or products you sell. Building a network is not difficult but it does require hard work and a little creativity.

Many people can develop a solid contact list but fail to take the next step of cultivating the contacts. To gain the most value from your contact list, identify the people that that have the most potential for helping to build your sphere of influence. The goal is to select the people on your networking list that could be long-term connections. Think in terms of people that can be referral sources, not necessarily those who directly need your services.

You can expand your sphere of influence by actively pursuing opportunities to share your expertise with peers in and out of your industry. Contact an industry trade journal and volunteer to write an article or speak at a local seminar. Expand your network beyond industry insiders by attending local networking events. You can check your local business news journal to find these events where you live.

Maximize your personal network of friends and family members. Even if they are not in the same business, these people have connections, and someone within their networks likely has a problem or need that your business can solve.

Asking customers for referrals may be one of the most commonly known and accessible methods of building a network, but it is also one of the most underutilized. Your current customers are a guaranteed and cost efficient source to acquire new customers just like them And satisfied customers are usually happy to refer their network to you, but many business owners fail to ask. .

The key is becoming networking proficient in how you engage people and subsequently promote your business. A common mistake companies make when building a network is focusing strictly on self gain. They rush through the hand shaking, salutation, and business card trade, then immediately start pitching their product or service. Influence spheres are not built this way.

The goal of networking is to produce long term, mutually beneficial relationships. When you meet someone new, use the opportunity to learn something about them and always look for ways that you can help them. This may mean opening your network of contacts. When you seek opportunities to help others and be of value to them, your efforts will pay off in spades.\r Listen to what others have to say and seek ways to be a problem solver, even if the problem is not directly related to your business. Be willing to make referrals and you too will be the recipient of generosity. When you are genuinely interested in others and approach networking with a \"how can I help you\" attitude you will find much greater success.

Rome was not built in a day and neither is a sphere of influence. Networking takes dedication, persistent effort, and time. It is not about just meeting people, but meeting people and leaving a lasting impression. Focus on the people you meet as you go about your daily business, engage with them, and leave that lasting impression. Over time, you will find that you have more connections that you ever thought possible, and that your business and bank account have reaped big benefits as a result.

Take advantage of networking opportunities in whatever form they take, and you will effortlessly expand your network by creating relationships that can benefit your business. Always have your business cards with you, even when running personal errands so that you can exchange information. All it takes is just one interested party to start the ball rolling with referrals.

Andrew Brown and Small Business Guru provide Coaching, Inspiration and Practical Advice for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs. Subscribe to the free, weekly newsletter at http://www.small-business-guru.com

Forming The Circle Of Trust (And Benefits)
Networking is part and parcel of having a business. It is the process by which you meet not only potential clients but more importantly, colleagues an...

Networking for Introverts - Avoid Panic and Build Relationships for Business and Personal Success
Networking is always a popular career topic, and the reason is simple: the people you know and those who know you will have an enormous influence on y...

What Is Networking and Why is it Important in Business?
When I began my networking journey, I attended any and all networking events as time permitted. Every event was fair game! Today I am much more stra...

GAS Up Your Business Networking
If you are a small business owners, sales professional, entrepreneur or executive, networking may be a significant marketing strategy to increase sale...

Increasing the ROI on Your Networking
Networking requires an investment of time, money and effort. Here are rfour ways to be sure your return on that investment is worthwhile.Decide what y...

How Important Is Career Networking?
At the outset, lets accept that there is no such thing as an ideal candidate, and there is no employer who is ideal for everyone. Still, every time we...

Networking - 10 Action Tips for Business Networking Success
Do you feel nervous about entering a room full of strangers at a networking event? You're not along. One survey showed that about 75 percent of people...

"What I Do ‘Is Not’ Who I Am"… The Networking Factor
Ah, the personal touch that continues to make a big difference for the better in our lives and the lives of those who have an opportunity to experienc...

Not Another Article On Networking (Groan)
Networking is "the thing" to do in business. I won't repeat the benefits of networking here nor the 30 seconds infomercial, as there is much material ...

How to Master the Art of Self Promotion
You simply have to have the will to do it--the will to self promote!Over the years coaching with small business entrepreneurs, I find they often come ...

Change and Grieving
Greg walked up to me during the break and wanted to know what happened before he came into the board meeting. I feel like Im at a funeral. Everyone is...

Network Like A Pro
Whether you own a small business or work in sales for a Fortune 500 company, relationships are critical to success in business. With the addition of d...

I’ve Got the Cards, Now What?
Many business people confuse the idea of quantity and quality when entertaining the thoughts of networking. With a fist full of business cards, they ...

Effortless Networking: Finding Real Prospects
Are you looking for events where you can meet people who might be interested in your products and services?If yes, then you're looking for "prospectin...

Dimensions of Diversity - Different From & Similar to Each Other
Consider the implications:r If every single living thing is different from every other thing,r then diversity becomes life's one irreducible fact.r On...