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Business and
Networking Resources
TheNationalNetWorker.com
SpeedNetworking.com – The Business
Matchmakers
Fastpitchnetworking.com – Business
Networking
Allbusiness.com – Career
Networking Tips
Entrepreneur.com – Business
Networking for Entrepreneurs
Careerjournal.com
www.ehow.com/how_1382_network-effectively.html
– How to Network Effectively
Ryze – business networking
Ecademy – social network for business
people
Business Network International (BNI)
Non Profit Resources
Monterey
County Non-Profit Organizations
Business Networking Tip
"10 Powerful Networking Tips Using Business
Cards" by Carl E. Reid
Whether you are looking for a job or running
a business, giving out business cards is
crucial to marketing your skills or
services. Even as a job seeker, develop the
mindset of running the business of YOU, Inc.
Business cards speak volumes about who you
are, what you offer and how serious you are
marketing YOU, Inc. as a business. Oh! So,
you have a resume and don't need business
cards. Can you carry 10 resumes in your
wallet' Do you or can you carry your resume
everywhere you go' A church bell ringing
lets people know they are open for business.
Your business card is your bell. Here are
some proven tips using business cards to
increase your chances of landing a job or
creating a business opportunity.
1. Never leave home without them.
Before leaving home, your checklist should
be expanded to include business cards, as
part of "do I have my wallet/money, house
keys, driver's license'" Any 'per chance'
meeting is an opportunity to give out a
business card. A morning run or a quick trip
to the local store could be an opportunity
to network. My wife and I always ask each
other 'do you have business cards', before
leaving the house. Make it a habit to carry
business cards.
2. Insert a business card when
mailing bill payments. Bills
contain advertisements. Why can't you
advertise your skills or services the same
way' Insert a business card with your
payment. You may not think a person in South
Dakota who opens your credit card bill
payment can help you. Never underestimate
the power of networking. A movie, entitled
'6 Degrees of Separation' points out we are
6 people away from knowing someone of
influence. You could be 6 people away from
knowing the President of the United Sates,
your favorite movie star or someone who is
in a position to hire your skills or
services. Each of us knows someone, who
knows someone, who knows someone etc.
Developing this powerful networking attitude
will be a fundamental source of continued
success.
3. Use proper business card
etiquette. Whenever you give a
business card, ask for a business card. When
given a business card, don't just take it
and place it in your pocket. Make the person
feel important by looking at their card for
a few seconds. You might see something that
could be a topic of discussion. Write
comments on the card such as date, location
and common points of interest. These
comments will prove valuable when following
up with that person. This also demonstrates
a sincere interest in the other person. Then
place it in your wallet. This lets them know
they reside in a special place with you.
"Skill with People" by Les Giblin is a book
that expands on this approach. Make people
feel important, in order to make yourself
important to them.
4. Be generous. Give
business cards out to everyone, including
family and friends. Don't let vanity stop
you from giving out your last business card
or giving 2 at a time to each person. I have
met many people who have totally missed the
purpose of a business card. I once asked a
person for a second business card, so I
could refer his services. His response was
"I only have a few cards left and I need
them", as he looked again at his name on the
card. Hoarding your business cards only
makes your wallet feel full, not your bank
account.
5. Ask for referrals. When
giving a business card, people feel more
comfortable when you ask; 'I would
appreciate a referral, if you know anyone
that could use my services'. Don't make
people feel like they are on the spot. This
approach disarms people much better than
asking them, 'is your company hiring''
People naturally like to do favors for
people. Saying 'could you do me a favor by
referring my services to someone'. This
always places you in a better position with
them. They will feel better about helping
you. Give them 2 cards.
6. Maximize every "per chance"
meeting. You never know when you
might meet someone who can help you. Family
or friends social events could produce
unexpected encounters with people. Don't
discount those events. So you're going to a
birthday party for your friend's kid. You
never know who you might meet. At a family
holiday gathering last year, I met someone
that has been instrumental in developing our
business this year. Who would have thought
this could happen by giving him a simple
business card.
7. Place yourself at the right place
at the right time. Have you been to
a job fair or business conference and been
disappointed with the networking results'
Turn the tables around. Consider
volunteering to help out at the job fair or
other types of events. This puts you in a
better strategic position for presenting
your resume or business card. Company
representatives might view you differently,
if they know you are willing to go the extra
mile in helping them make their presence
easier to manage. Get involved by visiting
Eventme.com, TheLunchClub.net,
Craigslist.com or view the calendar of
events for JacobJavitsCenter.com to place
yourself in opportunities for giving out
your business card. Volunteering for events
has been a very successful resource for my
business partner and I to expanding our
business. Zig Ziglar, one of the most
successful sales trainers in the world says
"if you help enough people get what they
want in life, you will get what you want in
life".
8. Use "In Your Face" follow up.
Did you ever have a job interview or meeting
with a recruiter, potential client or
employer and wonder why they never called
you back' 'Out of sight, out of mind' is the
operative phrase to remember. Today's
economic climate dictates you might be
competing with 20, 50, 100 or more other
people for the same position or contract.
It's quite a task for people to keep track
of each individual meeting. So it's up to
you to give a person a reason to call you
back. Immediately after a meeting snail mail
a hand written note thanking the person for
their time. Insert your business card. Now
you're in the driver's seat in standing out
from other people. If you get no response,
do it again. Patience and persistence pays
off.
9. Use promotions to promote YOU,
Inc. Newspapers often have stories
of people being promoted to high levels in
different organizations' This is an
opportunity for you. Consider getting some
invitation size blank greeting cards. Use
the Internet's search capabilities to find
out the address of the company's executive
offices. Send the blank invitation type card
with a hand written note sincerely
congratulating a person on their promotion.
Insert your business card. For the cost of a
37-cent stamp, you have just made someone's
day and may create an impression that makes
a person feel compelled to respond back to
you. Make it a habit to do this once a week.
Remember '6 Degrees of Separation'. You just
never know . . . People open invitation type
envelops faster than any others.
10. Brand yourself with a slogan.
Print a slogan on your business card that
answers the question 'Why should I hire you'
Or "What makes you different from everyone
else'" A catchy phrase or slogan insures
people ALWAYS associate a company name with
their product or services. People remember
even after the commercial is over. That's
called branding. Companies pay big bucks to
advertising agencies to come up with these
lasting slogans. Consider doing the exact
same thing on your business card. This is
your insurance people remember you, after
you meet. Don't just put Hortence Smiley,
Accountant on your business card. Add
something like "Financial Services With
Integrity". A slogan makes all the
difference between getting hired or not,
because people will remember you long after
a meeting.
About the Author
Carl E. Reid, Business-to-Business
Consultant & Career Coach
Carl advises small businesses on maximizing
the Internet's potential for creating new
profit centers, while developing strategic
alliances for win-win business partnerships.
As a Career Coach for 15 years, Mr. Reid has
helped hundreds of people jump start their
careers or start businesses.
Email:
MyCompass@Success4U2.net
Web:
http://careercoachingcompass.7h.com
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