Networking: The difference between a contact and a connection
Most of the successful business owners and entrepreneurs that I know are active networkers. Some people are naturals and excel in this sport. I know and appreciate a professional networker when I see one.
Networking and meeting people is a must. Networking is not simply about going out and meeting a lot of people. And it’s certainly not about seeing how many business cards you can hand out in an hour or how many you can come home with. More importantly, it is about meeting the right people at the right time for the right reason. Ultimately it is about knowing the difference between a “contact” and a “connection.” The distinction is powerful.
A contact is someone you know, but with whom you have not fully established a strong relationship. A connection is someone who knows, likes, and trusts you, because you have taken the time to establish and relationship with them.
Great networkers know that a good contact is not necessarily a good connection. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that it is not what you know, or even who you know – it is how well you know them and how well they know you. That is how you build a powerful network. Training professionals and entrepreneurs on how to network is becoming a new part of the sales process.
Many people go to networking events and concentrate on making more and more contacts, hoping to find that one special person who will be the client of the week. These people collect a lot of cards, but they never fully understand the true meaning of networking.
Have you ever felt that the time you spent networking was wasted? If so, now is the time to make a change. People who feel this way are approaching networking for all the wrong reasons. They expect that if they invest time and money at a network event, they will inevitably leave the event with a new client or two. Going to an event with that expectation will set you up for failure every time.
A good networking event is designed to bring strangers together to mix, meet and mingle. But for a networking event to be successful and productive, you must meet the right people for the right reasons. Meeting the right people will make a positive impact on your business and give you a high return on your networking investment.
Networking, making contacts and connecting with others is not something you dabble in from time to time. It is something you make a commitment to for a specific period of time. It is an incredible way to get more and better customers faster and easier, than in any other way.
Bottom line: networking is like farming not hunting. It takes time to plant the seeds and grow them before you can harvest them. It is all about building relationships, partners, friends and referrals.
One more thing to consider…..Need a “911” Strategy Session? If you are struggling with sales and/or keep running into the same obstacles and issues, reach out and schedule a 30 minute complimentary call with me. You never know…it could change your sales results and bottom line. This session is an opportunity for me to ask questions and learn where you are in your business, where you want to go, and what might be holding you back.
PS. THIS IS NOT A FREE COACHING CALL. That would be irresponsible of me to offer you, as change doesn’t happen overnight, and certainly can’t happen on one phone call. This is purely a chance for us to get to know each other, see where you are in your business, and see if it makes sense to work together. I want to serve you deeply, and in order to do that, we need to have a frank conversation about your business first.
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