Wednesday, 18 April 2012

What Makes Me Able to Do a "Tips For Networking Success" presentation?

If you have seen my tweets, and Facebook/LinkedIn updates, you will be aware that I will be giving a presentation, called "Top 5 Tips for Networking Success", at two events; see HERE for more details.

You're probably now wondering "What makes you an expert?" I thought I would answer the question here.

Surprisingly enough, I don't consider myself an "expert", but I do have over seven years networking experience. Yet, when I started I made all the mistakes that most people do:
  • Expecting instant results and leaving disappointed when I didn't get a new client
  • Trying to "work the room" and speak to as many people as possible in the allotted time
  • Bombarding people with facts & figures about my services
  • Not giving out my cards to everyone; and so on
Over time, I slowly learnt and improved my networking skills. I studied books and websites by different experts and picked up a lot of advice. However, as many of these were written for an American audience, I had to "translate" them so they would fit with us slightly more reserved Brits.

I am now at the stage where I can go to events completely confident in my abilities and skills. I know that, while I may not get a client immediately, all my actions at, and after, the event help build relationships with those I have met, so they will remember me for when they do need my service or refer others to me.

Most of my clients are now through networking - both face-to-face and via social media like Twitter, online forums, etc. - or they are referred to us from people I have met at events.

The "Top 5 Tips for Networking Success" presentation will help people to "hit the ground running" so that when they go to networking events they make a much better impression with others, and get customers or clients more quickly (but don't expect instant results!).

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