Networking Tips for New Coaches

Posted by admin in Network Marketing, Networking on December 9, 2011

You have qualified as a coach and started to set up your business. You’ve been told that you need to network and you’re ready to go forth and talk to strangers. So what do you need to know first before you take that next leap?

Before I start, let me dispel the myths around networking.

In a nutshell, networking is the process of interacting with others to exchange information or experiences for mutual benefit. There are so many ways in which you can network to build your business, get clients and get known for what you do. On top of that, it is a great opportunity to get referral partners, contacts that can help you in business and make friends with people too.

Read on for my top 5 networking tips for coaches.

1. Choose the right networking groups

There are various types of networking groups from informal coffee shop get-togethers to formal breakfast meetings. The first thing you need to do is find the right networking events for you.

It is about knowing who your ideal client is and where to find them. For example, if you want to speak with business owners, you’ll find that Mum’s groups are less likely to be effective, but if your target audience is female business owners with children, this will be a great place to start.

Many networking groups will allow you to try before you buy, and others will offer a pay per session charge. So ask around the people you know in business already – where do they go? What do they do? Or check out the trade journals or search on the internet to find groups in your area. And before making a huge investment, make sure that it is the right networking group for you and that it will give you the right returns.

When you choose the right group, you’ll meet with like-minded people, build effective business and personal relationships, and promote your business too. When you go consistently and regularly, people will get to know you. As well as talking about you, you’ll be referring others to your connections too. Read the rest of this entry »

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Ten Must-Do Business And Job Search Networking Tips

Posted by admin in Networking on December 9, 2011

“Bob Smith” claimed to a friend of his that he knew everybody. And sure enough, every time the friend challenged Bob, he’d pick up the phone and have the President, the Queen of England or the Dali Lama on the line. Well, his friend finally said to him, “What about the Pope? I bet you don’t know the Pope.” So Bob and his friend flew to the AncientCity, and took their places in the plaza just before the weekly papal blessing. Bobheads on up, and, sure enough winds up waving right next to his Holiness on the balcony. Bob comes down and finds his friend being loaded into an ambulance. “What happened?” Bob asked. “Was the shock of seeing me with Pope too great?” His friend weakly replied, “No. It was when the guy next to me nudged me and asked me who the guy was up there next to Bob Smith?”

Many of my clients were almost this well connected when they came to me- but weren’t getting the desired results. A short “diagnostic” usually showed me the reason. They were failing in one of several areas to truly “make the connection.” Here are some of things I would usually see and correct.

1). They were doing the wrong kind of networking. Business networking and social networking are alike in some ways and different in others. Business networking gets right to the point. Social networking requires some finesse and sensitivity.

This is not to say that you can be a bull in a china shop or insensitive when business networking, but, let’s face it – when you’re trying to get someone to go out with you socially the stakes and strategies are a bit different than when you’re trying to simply exchange information or enter a business relationship.

2). They’d be tense, angry or anxious. It is said that animals pick up fear and attack. Other networkers, whether targets for your job search, business contact or marital bliss, pick up on desperation and run away. Make sure that you’re in a relaxed state to network in any situation.

3). They wouldn’t “close the deal.” Meeting someone is nice. Following up with the people you meet is actually effective. Funny, but some networkers seem to believe that the act of shaking hands and exchanging business cards will magically produce the results they’re looking for. This is a myth that should be immediately busted. Read the rest of this entry »

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