Business Networking Myths | Business Networking Win

Posted on Jun 24, 2012 in Articles | 0 comments

With the advent of social media and on-line referral generating systems, person-to-person business networking seems to be taking more of a back seat in many marketing plans. And when I look at some of the marketing strategies of new entrepreneurs, I?m surprised that expensive advertising is the primary tactic used to find prospects, and that networking sometimes isn?t even considered a viable option for generating new clients. I?ve been successfully sharing referrals with other business folk for many years now, so I hadn?t considered that the belief systems of some people about business networking could be so different from the reality. There seem to be a lot of myths out there, so let?s bust some of them right now.

Myth 1

Networking is selling.

False.

It is not selling. Selling is about attracting the person in front of you to your product or service. Networking is marketing. It?s about attracting the 200+ people the person in front of you knows to your product or service. Networking is wayyyyyy less stressful for those who are terrified of selling.

Myth 2

Networking is about going to business events and making sure everyone in the room receives your business card.

False.

It is about building relationships with other business folk who have a reciprocal mindset for sharing clients. When I see people desperately trying to work a room by giving everyone their business cards and scurrying off to the next person, here?s what I do. I make them my clients.

Myth 3

Networking is about spending valuable personal time attending events.

False.

It?s a way of life. You can easily build a profitable referral network without ever attending an event.

Myth 4

Networking is about delivering your elevator speech.

False.

Elevator speeches are for addressing an audience at an event. They do not work in day-to-day conversation, where networking is most effective.

Myth 5

Networking is a task that is completed when you walk out the door of an event.

False.

It is a marketing technique that becomes a way of life. When you develop the skills of networking, you can never become the old you again.

Myth 6

Networking is about joining a business referral group and having to work with people you may not like.

False.

There are advantages to joining a business referral group, but you can build a profitable referral network just as effectively without ever joining one.

Myth 7

Only extroverts can be successful at business networking.

False.

I?m an introvert myself. I do a few things differently at events to reduce my anxiety, such as taking frequent breaks to make notes and breathe, but I have found business networking quite manageable.

If your false beliefs about business networking have been holding you back from taking advantage of a referral-based marketing strategy, now is the time to give it a try and see for yourself how effective it can be.

Happy networking!

Dave is the creative energy behind Streetwise Marketing Strategies. Download his free e-book, ?What to do Before, During, and After a Networking Event?, at http://www.StreetwiseMarketingStrategies.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Gutscher

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