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Find Success

Published: 07/28/2011 by Dawn Billings

Find Success

by Dawn Billings, CEO & Founder of The Heart Link Women’s Network and TROVA Business Network, TROVA Women Business Directory Heart to Heart Media and CAPABLES Parent Tool and Child Development System

Since I had a private practice for many years, success was something everyone who came to me was looking for. Whether it was success in parenting, a relationship, overcoming an addiction, or finding more success in business, everyone wanted to find success. I was blessed, when I was in practice, my practice stayed full and I barely had time to turn around, let alone network. When I decided I had a passion for helping people everywhere, not just those who made it to my office, I started writing books and speaking and that is when I realized that networking was an important part of business owners strengthening and growing their businesses and relationship ties in the community.

In the beginning my desires to help small business professionals entirely targeted to women, so I researched women’s networking and was disappointed. I thought they would be more loving, supportive and encouraging, instead of that business-to-business feel. Maybe it was me? Maybe I was different or had been a touchy-feely therapist for too long, but I wanted to experience joy in my new connections?

I discovered that most of the women networking organizations were built around the male model of business networking. I wanted to attend a female networking event built on the women’s endocrine system but there wasn’t one, so I decided to create one of my own. That was 3 years ago in 2008. Now in 2011, The Heart Link Women’s Network has over 160 women networking locations in the US and Canada and I receive emails everyday from women thanking me for creating such a beautiful, fun way for women to meet, connect and showcase their businesses. I was right. There were a lot of women like me in the world. I built The Heart Link Women’s Network for women to link heart-to-heart. That is why we named it The Heart Link Network. Everyone loved the model so men began to ask me what about them? So in 2011 we launched TROVA Business Network for both men and women business professionals. I built TROVA Business Network on a 3 pronged marketing strategy that combined business networking with professional think tank and added something really special, online advertising.

To insure that our networking efforts are effective, we need to understand how to network effectively. You must take an interest in others, listen to what they have to say, collaborate and cooperate to help one another.

Here are 21 proven ways to find success in your business networking efforts:

1. Choose the right network for your business. Do you want more business referral networking? Or do you like happy hour networking? Do you want more intimate quality relationship building networking? Take a careful look at your business needs as well as your personality.
2. Organizations can be expensive in both time and money. Research your options. Visit the meeting twice before joining.
3. Be consistent. Commit to the attending your networking events on a regular basis.
4. Get involved— Take on positions that will allow you, and your expertise, to become known by more people.
5. Appear confident – even if in the beginning you feel like you are pretending, keep pretending until it is actually true. It won’t take long til you discover that you are no longer pretending.
6. Be a class act. Show up with business cards and never hand out cards with crossed out information. I know it is tempting to use those thousands of cards with the one mistake, but don’t do it. Design a card with your picture on it to help jog people’s memories when they get home and are looking through their stack of cards.
7. Follow up and follow through. Schedule a follow up time and a 20-minute coffee meeting. Take a walk. Meet for lunch. The fortune is in the follow up.
8. 90% of what we are communicating we are communicating with our bodies. What are you saying with your body. Stand tall and confident. Remember to breathe deeply. Deep breaths always help you stay centered and focused.
9. Don’t fidget, and if you find yourself fidgeting take a moment to check in and ask yourself why. People notice when you are fidgeting. It sends information about you to them. Have people who love you share if you have any non-conscious habits that might distract people’s attention from the value of your products and services. Make a commitment to break those habits.
10. Be confident and bold, but not over whelming. Introduce yourself first. Don’t wait on others to come to meet you. Go and meet them.
11. You also communicate through your hand shake. Do not attempt to crush knuckles but also do not have a limp, “I barely have energy to meet you” hand shake either. Shake hands like you are shaking hands with your heart. People can feel your sincerity.
12. Use a person’s name several times when you meet them. Then introduce them to as many people as you can. It will help you remember their name. People love to hear their names.
13. Ask open ended questions that gather information. Don’t answer questions that can be answered with simple yes or no’s or that is what you might just get.
14. Listen carefully and intently. People love to feel they are being listened to. Listening is the best way to build trust in a new relationship.
15. Have a :30, 1 minute and 2 minute “elevator speech” prepared for when someone asks what you do. Make sure you use every word carefully and powerfully. Do not wing this. Work on it, hon it and know it like you know your name.
16. Be a connector. Who do you know, they need to meet? Work to think of connections you can make for the person to whom you are speaking. People will naturally want to connect you with prospects as well.
17. When you share, share the benefits your customers receive as a result using your products and services. People want to know, “what is in it for them?”. For example, “as a result of my services, my clients reduce their stress and improve their stamina. This results in increased self confidence, increased earning potential and the energy to enjoy their time with their family.”
18. Express your positive thoughts about the person and/or their business. So many times we assume successful people don’t need to be commended or reassured, but everyone enjoys it. I bet you do too.
19. Remember, business networking is marketing, and marketing is a process. Chances are you won’t get 5 new clients or customers from your next networking event. Your goal should be for others to get to know you, the resources you possess and the services you offer. People want to do business with people they like. Realize that these events allow people to become acquainted with you and eventually utilize your services or recommend you to someone else.
20. Just get out there, fill your heart with a generous spirit, be real, and enjoy yourself! Becoming a successful business networker can open your life up to a myriad of new and wonderful relationships, experiences and profits.
21. Believe in yourself and the process. People can sense the believe in yourself across the room. Know who you are and what you have to offer and you will find that you come off confidently and you will find success.