4 Big Networking Mistakes

Networking can be a very scary thing, and many people go about it all wrong. They make a lot of mistakes which look bad on them and their business.

Here are some networking mistakes that you need to avoid doing.

1. Forgetting to network online. Social media allows businesses (and people) to reach a lot of people that they could not reach years ago. Use it to your advantage, Shakers.
2. Focusing on handing out cards, and not remembering to take any cards. Networking involves giving and taking. You want to meet people and take their cards too. Take some notes on the back of someone's card to help you recall what they do and how you can help them.
3. Focusing on sales instead of meeting people and building relationships.If you're going to have any success, you're at networking events to meet people and build relationships. Not to try to close your next deal with someone you just met. You want people to remember you and trust you. Then, perhaps, down the road when they need something, they think about you.
4. Not being professional. Not everyone goes to networking events and dresses professionally. Which is sometimes okay. You should always dress consistent or just a hint above any event that you go to. There are enough distractions when networking, don't let your dress add to it.

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Handshakin Networking - Follow Up With a "Give"

In our recent post entitled “Handshakin Networking - Make it About Them”, we discussed the fundamental idea of approaching networking events with a sincere desire to help those you meet further their own business ambitions. In doing so, you’re creating a relationship that will benefit both of you. But for that mutual benefit to materialize, you have to nurture the relationship. You start that process by following up.

When to begin

Following up actually begins right after the networking event ends. I’m not talking about calling or emailing people immediately after the event. But I encourage you to make notes  immediately after the event. If you’re like most people, your mind is spinning with all kinds of new ideas after a networking event. Whatever those ideas are, write them down as soon as possible. You don’t need a lot of detail here - just jot down some bullet points to use as memory joggers to use later on.

Research your contact

The next step is to do some research on the individual and his company. For example, go to their company website. You can learn a great deal about their business online. Their website will also contain links to their social media pages. That information will enable you open up additional lines of communication that you can use to add value to the relationship. But in the beginning, all you’re going to do is make a follow-up contact via email or LinkedIn.

Include a “give” in your follow-up email

Most email follow-ups consist of a brief message, and a single “ask”, as described in our "How To Handshake" video. But, if you really want to wow them, include a “give” in your email too.

A “give” is something that adds value to the relationship -  something you give them with no expectation of getting something in return. This is typically a piece of web content that your new contact might benefit from. The subject of that content will depend on their specific business. But a topic that’s always a safe bet is marketing.

For example, let’s say you recently read an interesting, informative blog post about social media marketing. By including a link to that post in your follow-up email, you’re demonstrating your sincere desire to help them further their business ambition.

Making your follow-up about them is a great way to nurture your relationships with business contacts. Keep following our blog for more posts on startups, entrepreneurship, and networking.  Contact us online or call 720-515-5117 if you need help networking.  We also invite you to follow us on Twitter.

How to Identify Talented Cofounders for Your Startup

Hey friends, 
We published a video interviewing Gary Gaessler, cofounder of Cloud Elements.

Check out the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kSBq5VUhR0&feature=youtu.be

Gary and I discussed 3 topics.

Topic #1: Do you need a cofounder and how do you find one?
Knowledge Bomb: Cofounders are good, most of the time.
Knowledge Bomb: Be patient while looking for cofounders.
Conclusion: Take your time and look at your skills v. their skills before 'marrying' your cofounders

Topic #2: How were the cofounders of Cloud Elements Selected?
Knowledge Bomb: Team up with cofounders for success
Hint: Check out startup accelerators for the right cofounders, like Founder Institute, www.fi.co.
Conclusion: Partner with cofounders who have experience in the industry of your startup.

Topic #3: How are your cofounder relationships going now -- 2 years later?
Knowledge Bomb: Be willing to share responsibilities outside of your expertise.
Conclusion A: Cofounders should be able to wear more than one hat
Conclusion B: Cofounders should be able to go a while without a paycheck, or have a financial runway
Conclusion C: Cofounders should be able to attract world class employees to do what they're not good at.

Join our mailing list to hear when the next video is live. All feedback is welcome, as our hard launch will be mid 2015. Thanks friends! #handshakin

Handshakin Networking - Make it About Them

An invaluable marketing tool for small businesses is networking. Unfortunately, many who are just starting out don't fully understand what business networking is. BusinessDictionary.com defines networking as follows:

Creating a group of acquaintances and associates and keeping it active through regular communication for mutual benefit. Networking is based on the question "How can I help?" and not with "What can I get?"

The most important part of this definition is the one that is most often overlooked. Networking is not about what you can get out of it. It's about how you can help. But the fact that this part of networking is often ignored is a potential boon to those who embrace it. In most, if not all, of his speeches and seminars, Zig Ziglar said;

"You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want."

That's what Handshakin Networking is all about. By approaching people at networking events with a sincere desire to help them further their own business ambitions, you're creating a relationship where they'll likely want to return the kindness.  Don't believe that if you help someone that they'll help you back, but do believe that the more you help others, generally, the more help you'll receive.  As entrepreneurs with an above average risk tolerance, this give us a competitive advantage.  Risk helping someone today who will never help you back.

The best way to start the process is to ask people you meet to tell you about themselves and their business. It's like an elevator pitch in reverse. Only, instead of their eyes glazing over while you talk and they wait for an opportunity to give their pitch, they get to go first.

People love to talk about themselves and their business. And, if you give them that opportunity without subjecting them to your spiel, they'll come away with a very favorable impression of you, even if you never utter a word about yourself and your business. In the process, you will most certainly exchange business cards. By doing that, you will solidify the beginning of a relationship. Watch for our upcoming post"Handshakin Networking - Following Up" for ideas on how to nurture that relationship.

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