Panorama Magazine Article

So You’ve “Networked” … What Next?

You are at the top of your game! You’ve been networking at “Connections” where you’ve talked to lots of people and collected a stack of business cards. But the real work hasn’t even begun! What do you do with this array of business cards? Who are the qualified leads? What did you tell these people you would do for them and vice versa? Networking doesn’t stop once you’ve ‘left the building’!

Get Organized!

Ever asked yourself, “where did I get this business card from and what did I say I’d do?” You’re a busy professional…how can you possibly remember everything? Imagine your embarrassment when you contact that person and mention an event that they never attended…oops! Certainly doesn’t make this contact person feel very ‘special’…not to mention losing potential business! Whether you’ve received one card or twenty-five cards, write the name of the event on the back of the business card or some other information that will ‘jar your memory’ when you’re reviewing the cards.

Follow Up Promptly!

Chances are you are not the only person with someone’s business card! Don’t wait! Show initiative by following up quickly! Don’t miss an opportunity! And do what you say you’re going to do! Networking is all about making contacts and establishing relationships so start by building a solid foundation.

Put Your Best Foot Forward!

Writing to your contacts can be just as important as meeting with them in person. To help you make the ‘best impression’, follow Destiny Marketing’s “Ten Tips to Make Your Words Work for You”:

  1. Write as if you were talking. If it sounds awkward to say, then it’s awkward to read.
  2. Keep it simple! Use “everyday” words. If the people reading your material wouldn’t understand the “language”, then avoid using a lot of “technical jargon.”
  3. Check your spelling and grammar! You may not be the world’s most creative writer, but make your writing stand out by using correct spelling and grammar.
  4. Proofread your writing. Your computer’s Spell Check is a helpful tool but won’t tell you if you’ve made a typo by putting a correctly spelled word in the wrong place.
  5. Get someone else to read your written material. When you’ve been writing and looking at your material for a long time, you may miss a typo or have duplicated a line.
  6. Use short sentences. Your readers might lose the point if the sentence runs on and on without a break.
  7. Use adjectives to make your writing “colourful” and interesting.
  8. Avoid using “him or her” or “his/hers”. Try using the plural form. E.g. “Customers prefer their brochures to be free of spelling errors.”
  9. Organize your thoughts and points before you start writing. You’ll appreciate having this “plan” to follow while you’re writing.
  10. The most important tip: HAVE FUN! Writing doesn’t have to be a chore if you keep some of these simple tips in mind!

“Stay Connected” to Your Contacts!

Keep in touch with your contacts and referrals. If you see a written article or website address that they’d be interested in, send it! You want your company’s name to be right at their fingertips when they need your particular service. The members of “Connections” network every other Thursday morning during breakfast at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce from 7:30 – 8:45 a.m. “Connections” members are exchanging leads and making presentations about their businesses. And only one business in a given category is represented in the group. Look for your business in this list and call Judy Adams, Communications Co-ordinator for “Connections” at 905-575-9961:

Jeweler
Winery
Photography
Optical
Restaurants
Security
Hair Salons
Furniture Stores

“Connections”…networking made exclusive!