Epiphany Essentials: SPECIAL EDITION THURSDAY'S

Thursday, February 26, 2015

SPECIAL EDITION THURSDAY'S - NETWORKING 101

Over the weekend we attended the Yahweh Amore Salon launch party. The event was AWESOME. In attendance were entrepreneurs and business owners from auto mechanics to insurance professionals to musical artists. It was great to see so many people under one roof having a good time together. Part of the purpose of the event was networking.

In order to speak about networking let's first say what networking is not.

NETWORK IS NOT ATTENDING AND EVENT AND PASSING OUT YOUR BUSINESS CARDS, MAGAZINES, BOOKS, ETC. THAT IS NOT NETWORKING.

Networking is building RELATIONSHIPS with people. Taking things one step at a time. Going to an event and simply handing a card to someone without even introducing yourself is like meeting a man/woman and going directly to home base! Where is the talking phase? courting phase? dating phase? that leads up to the romance?????? Yes, treat networking like a romantic relationship.

Take your time, start out slow and build up to a friendship, then relationship and the business aspect quid pro quo will happen organically.

While at the event, there was a woman who began speaking to me however she started off by commenting on my topic, MINDSET, before telling me what she did and handing me her card. I remember her name and I connected with her immediately on social media. She has in turn already liked our FaceBook business page. Just like that. We talked, courted a bit, and got right to the romance, well we are actually now in the courting or getting to know you phase.

Another woman spoke about insurance, I made sure to get her business card for a good friend. I began to speak with her about the importance of her business and possible collaboration.

Not once did I think of simply passing my business cards out to all attendees. I paid money for my business cards, why just hand them out willy nilly?

However, that is exactly what happened at the event. I was handed a business card, a jewelry magazine, and something else. I can't even tell you what the people look like that handed me the materials. Would you consider that successful networking?

Customers and clients are built through relationships. People buy from people they "like". How can you like someone that you haven't met and don't even know? It's difficult right? Absolutely.

So, DO NOT simply hand out business cards or push your products on people while at any networking event. Simply spark conversations with people, ask them questions about themselves. PEOPLE LOVE TO SPEAK ABOUT THEMSELVES. Be sure you remember their NAME. People LOVE to hear their names spoken. If you would like ask them for their contact information or card and then follow up with them within 24 no more than 48 hours to stay fresh in their minds.

Image result for networking quotes

There are 309 days left in this year, make them count!!!!!!

You may have experienced disappointment, lack, set backs, loss etc. Nevertheless, you are still here, life goes on, and you must Take Charge, OWN your Life, and be in CONTROL. ~

UPCOMING EVENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Emerge: Spread Your Wings Workshop visit www.epiphanyessentials.com/events for more information and to purchase your tickets today!