5 Keys to Successful Networking
by Janet Attard

Networking, whether through business associations or other means, is the most prevalent and cost effective way for small and home businesses to attract new and repeat sales. Networking and "word of mouth" advertising together are 7 times more likely to bring in business than all forms of traditional advertising and direct mail combined. How does it work? More importantly, how can you make it work for your business?

Here are five tips to get you started.

1. Select a few key associations or organizations and participate actively. Go to meetings as often as possible and work on one or two committees. Your goal: to be the first person everyone remembers and suggests when others ask, "Do you know anyone who.."

2. Get to events early and plan to stay late. You can't meet and talk to people while a meeting is in progress. Be sure you circulate, too. If you spend too much time with any one person, you can't meet others. You also prevent the person you've attached yourself to from circulating, and they may resent it. If walking away from a person or group makes you feel awkward, have a few exit strategies ready to use. "Excuse me, I really need another cup of coffee this morning" works well for early morning meetings.

3. Greet people you've met in the past. Ask how projects they are working on are going, mention news articles you've seen about them, and congratulate them on any recent successes they've had. Sales grow out of relationships, and this is a good way to establish relationships with key contacts and prospects. Be sincere, though. If you're not, you'll be written off as an opportunist.

4. Follow up on leads. All the leads in the world are worthless if you don't follow up on them. Make that phone call or send the information you promised. Then, at the next meeting you attend, ask if your contact got what you sent.5. Be generous about sharing business tips, referrals and leads with non-competitors. You'll be remembered for your help, and may get business or referrals as a result later on. (You win in another way, too. Helping)

I hope that you have enjoyed this information. It's something that I've shared with others, and in speaking to some of our members found that these 5 points might be useful to you.

Catherine James

South Chapter C00rdinator

Catherine@houstonwahms.org

South Chapter of Houston WAHMS

Monday July 19th

Table Topic:

The WOW FactorWhat is your WOW Factor, how do you identify it!

Location:
Fuddruckers (Back Meeting Room)11950 Kurland (Southbelt & Gulf Freeway)Houston, TX 77034 US

HoustonWAHMs is a networking organization for women who are currently or striving to maintain either a full or part time work-at-home business.Special Drawing: There will be a drawing for each member who brings a GUEST with them to the meeting and another just for guests!

Networking begins at 6:30 p.m. and meeting begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.HoustonWAHMs allows two representatives, per chapter, to become members of each chapter - North, South and West.We encourage anyone to attend our networking meetings. You will be allowed to do a "mini commercial" of yourself and the company that you represent. Feel free to bring business cards, marketing information, catalogs, etc. to pass out with other members and guests in attendance. We allow guests of the organization to attend two monthly meetings before deciding on joining. After the two meetings, we hope that you have been able to decide whether our organization is one that you want to become a part of. We ask that upon the 3rd meeting, you come prepared to become a member of the HoustonWAHMs organization.
To see if your company is already represented; please contact the South Chapter Coordinator, Julie Peters, at Catherine@houstonwahms.org
Hope to see you there!