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The West Linn Chamber’s Home Based Business Group had a wonderfully successful meeting this month! For those unable to attend, here’s a recap. We touched on a two topics led by Leanne Abrams:
- How to choose the right networking event for you and your business
- How to develop your One Minute Presentation (some call it an ‘elevator speech’) so people remember you and refer you.
Choosing a networking Event
Leanne has had extensive experience and training with BNI (Business Networking International) and shared her wealth of information with us.
First, what makes a good networking event?
- Of course, you need to look for things that are important to you, whether it’s good energy within the room, appropriateness to your goal, etc.
- Then, check out their website
- Ask how long the group’s been in existence
- How many members did it start with & how many members does it now have
- Look around to see if people welcome new attendees (or are they rather clique-ish)
The object of networking is to constantly meet new people, expanding your network. Those who welcome and talk with new attendees foster this habit of connecting with new people. Do you receive a phone call or personal email thanking you for attending their networking meeting? This also shows the group is interested in growing and welcomes new members.
Ask a number of people about the group:
- Do they get referrals?
- Do they meet new people that help them grow?
- What do they gain from attending this networking event regularly?
- Finally, find a group that fits your personality and meets your expectations
Some networking events you might want to check out are:
Developing an Effective Elevator Speech
Steve Carr, Herman Goudy and Rhonda Coakley volunteered to give their introductions, then have them critiqued and reformatted to capture attention – Thanks to our volunteers! It was great!
For a really great introduction, follow these steps:
- Leave out all the detail about you ( For example how long you’ve been in business, how many employees you have, etc. You can relay all this info once you’ve made contact, but not before.)
- Highlight the key BENEFITS you give to your CUSTOMERS
- In other words, why should I call you?
- How will you benefit me?
- Mention the benefits you offer or a free trial; this captures people’s attention and makes them want to talk to you more
- Keep in mind that in a room full of 30-75 other business owners, each person only has so much listening power
- Give a compelling message that is so simple, a third grader would get it
If not, they will tune you out and listen for the next short, sweet and fun person
- Wrap up by saying “…if you’d like a free trial (or another compelling benefit), call me.”
- Most important, create a one-minute ‘commercial’ about your business and practice it with your friends and customers who already love you!
- Oh yeah, have fun with it!
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