Five TOP TIPS for effective SPEED NETWORKING!

Speed Networking - Are YOU READY!! 

Speed networking events are a great way to promote your business to a large variety of potential new clients:   

The format tends to be generally the same:    You move around the room in a structured way and have the opportunity to speak to everybody who has attended:  You will be able to speak from 30 seconds to 2 minutes or so depending on the event that you attend.

So the question now is How can you prepare for a speed networking event to make the most of it?

Here are some hints:  Please email me if you would like further help and information.

1. Establish your networking goals in advance

Its crucial to know exactly what you want to achieve from any networking event that you attend. It helps to write down your goals in advance to enable you to focus on what you wish to achieve.  If you are looking to grow your networks it may be that you want a specific number of business cards to follow up on, or you may wish to speak to X number of people.  Alternatively, you may be looking for a specific type of business, eg Mortgage Broker.   Whatever your goal ensure that you know it before you go

2. Bring product samples or brochures.

If you have some samples of your product or brochures its a great idea to bring these along to help  make you stand out in the crowd

3. Prepare your ''elevator pitch''   

An 'elevator pitch' is a short statement used to describe yourself, your business and your goals in just approximately a minute.  Imagine you step into an 'elevator' and the ONE person that you have wanted to speak to is in the same elevator.  You only have a matter of seconds -maybe minutes - hence the term elevator pitch!  Its a great idea to plan this in advance and ensure you know the basics that you will say. 

4. Write a short profile sheet  about your business or networking goals to had out during the networking.

Its a great idea to write up a profile page to describe your networking goals. This can be distributed everyone you meet at the event . Consider including the following information

• Your contact details and website- include ALL contact details ( eg Skype: Ecademy: Linked In details)

• Description of your business

• A brief background and history of your business

• Your target clients & networking goals for your business.

5. Follow up after the event - the more you give the more you get!

What goes around really does come around when it comes to any kind of networking activity. Keep the business cards and contacts you receive.  Arrange to meet for coffee with those that you think you can help immediately and LISTEN OUT.   Networking isnt a get rich quick scheme, it can take some months to build up relationships.  By following up after an event you can start to build relationships and ''strategic alliances'' 

Happy Speed networking:  Keep your eyes open for the next events in your area:

If you are in East Anglia, check out    www.carmar-events.co.uk   and see the event on 4th April.

See you soon!

Speed Networking - Are YOU READY!! 

Speed networking events are a great way to promote your business to a large variety of potential new clients:   

The format tends to be generally the same:    You move around the room in a structured way and have the opportunity to speak to everybody who has attended:  You will be able to speak from 30 seconds to 2 minutes or so depending on the event that you attend.

So the question now is How can you prepare for a speed networking event to make the most of it?

Here are some hints:  Please email me if you would like further help and information.

1. Establish your networking goals in advance

Its crucial to know exactly what you want to achieve from any networking event that you attend. It helps to write down your goals in advance to enable you to focus on what you wish to achieve.  If you are looking to grow your networks it may be that you want a specific number of business cards to follow up on, or you may wish to speak to X number of people.  Alternatively, you may be looking for a specific type of business, eg Mortgage Broker.   Whatever your goal ensure that you know it before you go

2. Bring product samples or brochures.

If you have some samples of your product or brochures its a great idea to bring these along to help  make you stand out in the crowd

3. Prepare your ''elevator pitch''   

An 'elevator pitch' is a short statement used to describe yourself, your business and your goals in just approximately a minute.  Imagine you step into an 'elevator' and the ONE person that you have wanted to speak to is in the same elevator.  You only have a matter of seconds -maybe minutes - hence the term elevator pitch!  Its a great idea to plan this in advance and ensure you know the basics that you will say. 

4. Write a short profile sheet  about your business or networking goals to had out during the networking.

Its a great idea to write up a profile page to describe your networking goals. This can be distributed everyone you meet at the event . Consider including the following information

• Your contact details and website- include ALL contact details ( eg Skype: Ecademy: Linked In details)

• Description of your business

• A brief background and history of your business

• Your target clients & networking goals for your business.

5. Follow up after the event - the more you give the more you get!

What goes around really does come around when it comes to any kind of networking activity. Keep the business cards and contacts you receive.  Arrange to meet for coffee with those that you think you can help immediately and LISTEN OUT.   Networking isnt a get rich quick scheme, it can take some months to build up relationships.  By following up after an event you can start to build relationships and ''strategic alliances'' 

Happy Speed networking:  Keep your eyes open for the next events in your area:

If you are in East Anglia, check out    www.carmar-events.co.uk   and see the event on 4th April.

See you soon!