Ten Reasons Why Businesses Fail to Make Networking Work for Them
A few weeks ago I met with networking expert Andy Lopata and asked if he would be so kind as to write a post for the Marketing Blagger. It wasn’t too long before the following landed in my inbox including some pretty good top tips on how to get the most of out networking.
Certainly I agree with #6 - far too many people attend networking events just wanting to sell, when in reality most people are not there to buy. Think about the long term and build relationships, rather than simply selling.
Well, enough from me, read on for what a true networking expert has to say..:
1 - They network with the wrong groups and/or don’t network with the right groups.
Many people attend networking events because they have been invited and join because they like the ‘buzz’ or see other people getting business. They give little thought, consideration or planning to the aims they have from networking and which networks best help them achieve those goals and to which theycan commit.
TOP TIP - Do your research before joining networking groups. Understand what you want to gain from them and what you need to commit to them to achieve that result.
2 - They don’t know what success will look like
We join networks with a vague idea that they will help our business but without planning out exactly how.
TOP TIP - Work out the REAL cost of your networking to you, and then set yourself a challenging, yet realistic return which will justify your investment. How will you reach that return?
3 - They fail to commit
It’s not enough just to join a network or plan a strategy; you have to see it through. It’s an old cliché, but you really do get out what you are prepared to put in.
TOP TIP - Look at your networking memberships and goals and ask yourself what YOU have to do to get the results you are looking for. Then ask yourself how achievable it is. If it’s too much, adjust your activity to make it more realistic. If it’s easy, perhaps you could be doing more.
4 - They don’t do their homework
“Fail to plan and you plan to fail”. Before you attend a meeting, prepare for it. If you have to give a presentation, know exactly what you want to achieve from it and what you are going to say before you go.
TOP TIP - Put time in your diary each week or each month to look at forthcoming events and why you are going. Work out who you can catch up with or meet there and, if appropriate, contact people in advance to arrange to hook up. And plan any presentations you may have to give.
5 - They don’t follow up their referrals
If you get a reputation for being unreliable, you won’t get referrals. Whether you value the referral or not, FOLLOW IT UP. Even more importantly, make sure you feedback to the person who referred you and keep them in the loop.
TOP TIP - Keep a list to track all referrals received and latest action. If you are not responsible for following it up, make sure you know who is and get feedback from them to pass on. Most importantly, say thank you.
6 - They focus on the sale, not the relationship
Few people go to networking events to buy. So you have to ask yourself what the point is of trying to sell to people who aren’t in buying mode. Think beyond the short-term gain and develop relationships. After all, wouldn’t you prefer to get ten referrals from a long-term relationship than one sale from a passing contact?
TOP TIP - Go through your contact management system or business card file and pick ten people to whom you haven’t spoken for a while. Re-establish contact and then stay in touch.
7 - They are ‘9 to 5 Networkers’
Many people believe that joining a network and either turning up to a meeting or logging in is enough. It isn’t. The most successful networkers meet with their fellow members regularly OUTSIDE of meetings; whether socially or in 1-2-1 and small group meetings.
TOP TIP - Set time aside in your diary every week to meet people from your network, and make sure you fill that time. Attend your networking group’s social events and get to know your fellow members even better.
8 - They are ‘destructive’ rather than ‘constructive’
A network thrives on positive energy. If you are in a group that is struggling, use the meeting time to focus on making what you have work, keep concerns outside the meeting. If you want to contribute to blogs and discussions online, keep your comments positive and constructive, don’t destroy other people’s hard work with nasty or negative comments.
TOP TIP - Focus on being positive whenever you engage in your networking. People don’t want to buy from or refer to negative people. If there are problems, keep your comments positive and constructive, focusing on the solution.
9 - They are collectors
Whether it’s business cards at networking events or connections online, there are people who believe that he who has the most wins the game. Networking doesn’t work like that.
TOP TIP - Collect and hand out cards if your conversation dictates it. Connect online with people with whom you have something in common, and talk about them when you connect, not yourself.
10 - They don’t have a clear message.
We all think that we communicate clearly what we do, but few of us do this successfully.
TOP TIP - Ask people in your network for their perception of what you do, who for and when people need your help.
Labelled ‘Mr Network’ by The Sun, Andy Lopata is one of the UK’s leading business networking strategists. The co-author of two books on networking, his first book, ‘Building a Business on Bacon and Eggs’ looked at how to run business breakfast meetings, while his second ‘…and Death Came Third!’ received worldwide acclaim and reached number 2 on Amazon.co.uk on its launch. For more great writing on networking and further info, visit Andy’s blog.
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Andy this is so true. Fantastic article, I shall be pointing my team in this direction too!
The best tip is the 6th, when you try to network you shouldnt focus on making sales, it will look spammish
It is so important to focus on the customer relationship and most sales people could really care less. That is one of the key ingredients to being a great marketer.
I believe that most of them don’t do their homework and do things impulsively.Thanks for that.It serves as a reminder to me when doing a business.
We join networks with a vague idea that they will help our business butwithout planning out exactly how.Work out the REAL cost of your networking to you, and then set yourself a challenging, yet realistic return which will justify your investment.
The list reminded me of my old boss saying: “The customer will not remember what you talked about, and not who you are. The only thing they will remember is how they felt when you talked to them”. That’s why you must not talk about yourself too much.
few more reasons , they are not patient and want quick results . They don’t have to offer anything .but they want everything . They concentrate mainly on rankings rather than their services
Networking requires motivation and diligence. Too many who engage in networking expect quick, if not immediate success. When it does not materialize, folks lose interest and begin to doubt whether they can succeed at a given business endeavor.
Networking entails cultivating relationships which in turn take time. When the seeds of a relationship begin to grow and flourish, you will add to your client base. You can then harvest the low hanging fruit of referrals.
Best Regards,
Andy Lax
Earning from networking is a by-product of relationships. It is true that one should focus on the relationships built rather than selling and selling and selling. Profit is not the be-all and end-all of it all.
I think this is a great article and I will make business cards. I am a freelancer and I missed to give business cards to my customers, I am stupid
Thanks for the hit to the right direction!
Best Greetz
Bruce
It just shows that it always pays to do your homework!! I’ve gone far by doing my homeowork and planning ahead. Some people are simply too narrow-minded.
Following referrals is a very important way for growing companies to find new customers. We can build a lot less expensive method of building customer base by using proper referral process.
In marketing your business, you should lead with the product’s benefit and then go on to explain more about how your products or services help them and you’ll capture their interest. Lead with pricing, obscure product names or too much technical detail and you’ll lose your prospects. Their overriding concern is how your products or services will help them.
Andy this is so true. Fantastic article, I shall be pointing my team in this direction too!
I’ve never considered doing research before attending a networking event to see who will be attending and if they are the right kind of people to benefit forming a relationship with. Have also made the mistake of going to networking events with the intention of making sales, when like you said I should be looking to forming relationships which will ultimately benefit more in the long run.
You’re right. Many marketers just don’t see a human side of communication and focus on business relations. It just doesn’t work that way.
Number 6 is the best tip. It’s all too easy to forget that selling is really relationship-building. Nobody wants to take products that are literally pushed down their throats. They’ve got to want it to buy it.
Great post! I agree with the previous comments on Tip #6, you should not be concentrating on making the sale. It is indeed all relationship building, that’s how you generate sales. I’d rather have clients that want to do business with my company because they like me. Repeat customers are better than one timers and relationship marketing is the way to produce results.
I think #6 is one of the more frequent errors done by businesses,
-Jack
Networking is a cornerstone to building a successful marketing system.
I totally agree that not following up is a huge problem and a easy failure for many people trying to get things done with marketing and networking.
I shall be pointing my team in this direction too!
Where I see people failing is #6. You have to build the relationship first!
It just shows that it always pays to do your homework!! I’ve gone far by doing my homeowork and planning ahead. Some people are simply too narrow-minded.
The list reminded me of my old boss saying: “The customer will not remember what you talked about, and not who you are. The only thing they will remember is how they felt when you talked to them”. That’s why you must not talk about yourself too much.
I think far too many people fall under #7 - People just don’t seem to be able to work with a passion any more, and are so willing to spend every day 9-5 and never try for anything more.
But what about:
1) They don’t have empathy
2) They are supercilious
Followup is an absolute key when dealing with business.
I can’t imagine how much money is lost when companies do not have a good follow-through system that keeps leads/contacts up to date , and make sure that the lead has been qualified and the like.
In some businesses , we see individuals buy items 3-4 years after the first contact is made.
Many people find quantity to be more important than quality. I completely agree with tip #9. Sure you have tons of connections but the quality of the connection is the difference between positive return and no return.
I think the biggest mistake is the 9-5 marketers. People don’t understand that while they are asleep the other half of the world is awake. These are all potential people you can market your product or service to. You need to go out and get these people and convert them to clients. That means you need to proactive with this, go out and meet your clients or social partners. Regards!
Very often it’s just the matter of not knowing what to expect. When people don’t have set goals and expactations they can’t really achieve success.
Before joining networking groups. Understand what you want to gain from them and what you need to commit to them to achieve that result.This article is very useful
big problem for us is there are not totally support from our family,that what make us early go down.
widi
This post is very nice. Andy this is so true. Fantastic article, I shall be pointing my team in this direction too!
It is so important to focus on the customer relationship and most sales people could really care less. That is one of the key ingredients to being a great marketer.
Targeting the wrong type of people is a waste of time. I so much agree with this article.
thanks for sharing the tips..
I read a statistic that 97% of home based internet business fail within the first few months? Why? Is it lack of education, coaching, experience, marketing capital? Any insights?
I’ll add one more. Consistency! Potential customers do not always need what you’re selling that minute. You just want to make sure you’re front of mind when they do need you. Get involved with local charities and your local chamber. Repeat visibility is a great way to keep yourself front of mind.
the tips you provided have been very precise and detailed it has really clarified on why many do eventually fail but the one that really stands out is that when people hear mlm they steer away from it and that their either antisocial individuals or they just don’t have the desire to go through with it
Many successful seller have good relationship with their clients. The important thing is just how they can keep the relationship longlasting.
Yes, people are beginning to use social media sites more and more these days. I have found that social media isn’t as effective for driving sales, but are great for connecting for joint ventures with other business owners. Fun to see some stats on it all!
Interesting poll results. I didn’t expect LinkedIn and Facebook to have such high usage for marketing. I can see how LinkedIn could be good for networking, which isn’t marketing exactly, and with Facebook I think it depends on the networks you are a part of. We don’t all get lots of marketing messages on there.
Great article, very well written. I agree that many organizations don’t make the commitment to the social network that is necessary.
It is really true that this ten reasons are factual that happening now..many business fail to make networking for this reasons..and i think the reason under #6 be notable..we will not look on the sales we have but the relationship that we build to our customer is more important. Sales will increase/decrease but the relationship to our customer will keep our business strong..
A fair network is required to run your success and also increase chance to exchange information. But your posting is grate.
i agree with number 6 tip, some people join with networking sites just to gain more customer and not the relationship between them.
thanks Andy, great article. I completely agree with you. but most of the time we forget them to make money in hurry
Mostly here in the comment agree on the reason #6 establishing a good relationship on the customers and i think this will be the one of the important thing in the business..
So glad I ran across this blog today! As I have realized and collected info about this type of thing, I am overwhelmed by the choices. As you mentioned, planning is a key….a great deal of mostly time is involved, and need to use wisely, and know the end result. Knowing the end result is what i am researching today.
Very interesting points, and I agree with the consensus here that #6 is often overlooked and is perhaps the most important point on the list. People nowadays are pretty savvy about being sold to, and wary of it as well. Building a relationship is key, building trust comes next, then a sale and possibly repeat custom will follow.
It’s important most sales people could really care less.but your posting is grate and important customer relationship.
If you are starting a business you must be aware of the risk involved. Underestimating the difficulties involved in a business is the your biggest obstacles your facing!..
This 10 reason why business fail are really true..it will not make work for them if they will take for granted this reason…
Most common problem in network marketing is that it is too common to other marketers that most of them let their of business stop them. I think that is also common for network marketing when it comes to business competitiion but why not put into consideration making friends and expand your circle of friends in MLM world. Become socially involved so to speak.
Thanks a lot for the post, my company doesn’t use social networking for generating business leads and I hope to change that.
This article is really great… specially the 6th point worth millions
Thanks for the great research on post Andy.
Best Regards,
Leif
Focus on being positive in a business and if there are problem you encounter find solution. Networking is just like building relationship , establishing common interests, and building up trust to another person. In this way you can avoid failing in a business networking.
This is a great article and very useful for those who are dreaming to start their online business. Read this article and remember for ever. Great post!
I have two machines with Windows XP Professional. Everytime I try to make the networking work, one computer can see itself but not any other computer. How do I make the two computers see eachother?
It is important for you to always acknowledge the fact that you need important tips all the time to help you overcome different challenges. Nobody can claim to be fully effective and you need to keep learning.
Thanks a lot for the post, my company doesn’t use social networking for generating business leads and I hope to change that.
networks joining will be helpful for keeping the relationship longlasting.
This is a good and informative post…it gives us understanding why businesses not make for networking.. As we know business fail for many reasons and it is important that we understand those reasons that you can decide whether or not are up to the challenge.
I wholeheartedly agree with number 5 — I’ve heard it put this way: “The fortune is in the follow-up.”
What a very interesting article, I must agree with your point 3, a lot of people don’t see things through then they wonder why it isn’t working for them or just expect things to be done for them.
I always leave a business card every where I go. I always leave a business card when I leave a tip for dinner. This tactic alone has given me 3 customers this year alone.
Very interesting article indeed! I totally agree that not following up is a huge problem which in reality is a cornerstone to building a marketing system to achieve success in any multilevel marketing business. To avoid easy failure I would suggest not to ignore following up if you want to get things done with marketing and networking.
I’d like to add something to tip 6:
one tip I always give people in our training courses for sales people is to imagine that nobody they are going to meet will buy something from them BUT that they all know at least one person who will.
So the only thing they need to do is explain to the people they meet what they do in such a way that they can pass the story on to their network.
I would agree with the #6 “They focus on the sale, not the relationship”
Will not only focus to our sale but the important there is the relationship that we build to our customer. Building good relationship can help our business to grow and sales will follow…
Just came across your post. I found it informative for me and I’m sure many others. I did also have small trouble subscribing to the blog but figured it out; I’m still a 2-finger typist
. Thank you and keep your blogging spirit going strong.
I completely agree with ten reasons you stated why networking fail. Follow all of the ten diligently and i am pretty sure things would lead to success.
Networking is very important for succesing business, It is not difficult to make network for some people, but others are very difficult.
Word are less to appreciate this post of yours and i am sure this the most beneficial post ever heard relating to networking needs and why do they fail. All the points are very well covered and well described.
I agree to you about some failure reasons that some company just focus on the sales & not on the relationships & that is the result that they get failed in the era of business!
I think pretty much every self-employed person knows how to network because if they don’t they’ll soon have to look for a job. Employees, however, often do not fully comprehend the importance of networking. For them it’s the regular paycheck that counts. Hopefully, somebody else does the networking part for them.
Networking a business is kind a thing to do but trying your best to do so it will be successful someday…the points here in this post will help us to identify what are the thing that we need to know and improve to make our networking successful for our business.
Good post, I totally agree with your second point. A lot of businesses assign their marketing department to blog without any clear expectations or commitment for purely SEO purposes. As a result, I can see that many of those blogs lack content because being good in marketing does not necessarily translate to being good in blogging.
They focus on the sale, not the relationship
that’s my mistake,
but that’s all I can do, I’m newbie with bad english
it’s better to focus on sale
I also think so. if we join the group in the right and we will get success in business
I completely agree with ten reasons you stated why networking fail.Just came across your post. I found it informative for me and I’m sure many others. I did also have small trouble subscribing to the blog but figured it out; I’m still a 2-finger typist.
Focusing solely on sales is defenitely one of the reasons why business fail to make networking work for them. It is a very good point. All probably want to improve sales rates but to do so we should first think about customer relationships. It takes time to approach a customer and sustain a relationship, but it pays off in the long run. Otherwise one cannot suceed in this business.
Well said.I agree with you especially on point 3.You will see many people forming network to do business but at the same time it is either they or a member of the network who fails to commit in long term.The main thing which leads to success is long term commitment ,isn’t it so!
I agree will all the points you have put. The most important thing of all is commitment and patience and i am sure the one does both the things and waits for this or hers time, then success will surely be yours.
This a good knowledge giving post and many will be benefited by this.
I agree to you about some failure reasons that some company just focus on the sales & not on the relationships & that is the result that they get failed in the era of business!
I always forget of point #6. Just to focus on sale to reach my target and I forget to make relationship. Its great point for me. Thanks for tips.
Yes the most important reason is that focus on sale and not on relationship. It the most important factor that affects the business and this the only reason because of which many business have fallen apart. Rest all the points are also equally responsible for business failure.
Yes i agree with your points but any time networking business will succeed one day…
#1 is the starign point for me. In particular, you need to network where your customers or people who can refer you to them hang out.
Sadly, many organisations who make money from running networking events perpetuate the semi-myth that “you never know who the person you’re sitting next to knows. That plumber may know the CEO of the company you’re targeting”.
Yes, he might know him. But it’s rather like the a roomful of monkeys typing Shakespeare. It might happen - but it probably won’t.
You have to play the probabilities and “go where the money is”
Ian
Number 8 is one of the most popular reasong with business people fail, they just don´t focus on being positive. Interesting post, thx
What we are left with is massive taxation without representation, and theft of business capital, assets, and profits in the name of making free-enterprise fair.
I always keep attention to that ten reasons, I think that the reason no.6 is very important for me,I always follow this blog and it gives more knowledge to me,no doubt its a great job,keep it up because these points are very important for me and I think for my any other friends also.
In this blog ten reasons are important but the reason no.2 I think its a major reason because in my opinion when you go for any thing 1st you set the target then hit the bull,so for that I think no.2 is very important,anyway keep up writing,Thank U.
Thanks for the info…i am too into a business and i hope i won’t make the mistakes given in the post. Thanks for the info….good you shared the experience.
Hi,
yup,this blog is really superb,I visit this site since last two weeks and it helps me a lot in my business and I always obey the ten rules which I check daily,thanks a lot keep post continue.Stay tune with us.
Networking requires act and effort. I have also made the non achievement of leaving to networking events with the intention of making income, same as what you said I should look and form relationships which give ultimately interest in the retentive run. I’d rather have customers that are exceed than one timers and the relationship in marketing is the way to create results. In marketing your business, you should lead with the product that are beneficial.
The most important thing that is the seller should make a good relationship with customers. they need to know how customer’s feeling, and what they are thinking about the product. actually, we have a lot of reason to fell in selling.
in my point of view, the most important thing that is seller should make a good relationship with their client. they need to understand what their clients actually want…there are a lot of reason why we fell in selling.
They network with the wrong groups and/or don’t network with the right groups..
i do agree on what you’ve said…linking to wrong network would yield to failure…However can you be sure that your linking to the right or wrong one?
before you do business with other network make sure that this network can be trusted. do some investigation, planning and other research… it takes a lot of effort!
I completely agree with you. but most of the time we do those mistakes you were writing about… unfortunately…
i very much think that word is not enough to appreciate this article i come across very interresting, may God Bless Andy
I think the biggest mistake is the 9-5 marketers. People don’t understand that while they are asleep the other half of the world is awake. These are all potential people you can market your product or service to. You need to go out and get these people and convert them to clients. That means you need to proactive with this, go out and meet your clients or social partners. Thanks!
Wow. Your focus is awesome and a great example for others.By writing it down you are creating a sense of accountability and structure to your goals.keep it up.keep blogging.
Great post i have ever seen.Having written articles that require this much work, I commend you for your service to the future bloggers. I’m sure they will appreciate it! Great job.I Like your site very well and continue to do so.
I totally agree with Company Car Hire’s word.Thanks for sharing such a great post with us.
Hi, this is one of the best site for the readers and the tips are really very innovative one,Thank you.Keep blogging.
I completely agree with you. but most of the time we do those mistakes you were writing about… unfortunately…
Thanks for the info…i am too into a business and i hope i won’t make the mistakes given in the post. Thanks for the info….good you shared the experience.
Andy fantastic work. What I think commitment is must for success.
I’ve gone far by doing my homeowork and planning ahead. Some people are simply too narrow-minded.
Good post
Absolutely fantastic article! YOu’ve pointed out several tips that even professional online entrepreneurs forget at times.
Yes, I know that’s six and a little bit cheeky, but like most of you, I’m genuinely running a small business and also work with plenty of other small businesses.
Good advice here. It’s important to model successful competitors and surpass them.
I know i’ve been guilty in the past of looking at social networking for the short-term rather than the relationship. When I haven’t got a response i’ve ditched it and tried something else, i realize now I should stick with it and the profits will come later.
So often this boils down to team spirit, or lack of it. Finding a core group to lead a business project can become an insurmountable task sometimes.
it’s a nice article ^^.. i agree with point 6. I think it’s the most important point.
Developing relationships is the most critical, because this precludes the sale. Not only is it important for making the initial sale but for generating referrals once you’ve gotten the customer.
So few businesses take the time to develop relationships with their customers that you will have a HUGE leg up on them if you do.
Research succesful competitor and surpass them is critical
Wow what a great post! It’s a very informative and interesting article.I like the ten reasons you have described.Especially reason no 6 I like most.I totally agree with this point.I think the seller should make good relationship with the client.They should know what the client really want.Thanks for the great reasons sharing with us.
Great article. I totally agree with Small Business’s word.Reason no. 6 is very important. I think seller should careful about what the client actually want. So that the business will go ahead.Thanks for sharing the great important reasons with us.
Though these days, few businesses could afford to go without proper online strategies, many businesses still fail to make networking work for them due to different reasons.
I think that the secret of success in the online marketing varies. Determined on the nature of your own websites, the best approach might differed from some other kinds of individual blogs.
In order to lead your own online marketing into success, it’s necessary to check the marketing approaches of different kinds of websites and try to follow the pattern of the websites with similar nature to yours.
Your focus is awesome and a great example for others.By writing it down you are creating a sense of accountability and structure to your goals.keep it up.keep blogging.
Every job demands various set of skills. Sales associates’ jobs titles can also be sales representative, account executive and account representative among others. This description may also be used with many other industries including pharmaceutical sales, insurance sales, retail sales and automotive sales etc. Managerial jobs require high quality organization and human relation talents and abilities.
One of the common statements made in the MLM/Network Marketing industry, is that the business model was designed to take the average person and make them successful.
Whether it’s business cards at networking events or connections online, there are people who believe that he who has the most wins the game. Networking doesn’t work like that.
“Think about the long term and build relationships, rather than simply selling.”
In any kind of business, building relationships come first. We all know we engage in business to make money but to do that we have to prioritize our clients first. Kind of ironic but it usually works.
Thanks for the article, so useful and an eyeopener for those who are i the business world. Costumer service should be excellent. In this way we build the trust of clients and have a good business relationship with them.
Thanks for posting this. It is a great eyeopener for us, newbies on this field of business.
This article is awesome with some great example and all the
ten reasons are factual.
Thanks for sharing!
Have also made the mistake of going to networking events with the intention of making sales, when like you said I should be looking to forming relationships which will ultimately benefit more in the long run.
An excellent list of some very true facts here. Many businesses fail to see just how important networking is until it’s too late and they are already about to hit rock bottom!
the best advise is : try and try until you succeed. BUT of course with THE rigHt strategY of networkingg and socialising with other people.
Hi! Nice post and the the reasons which you given I like most and also thats shows the weakness of a business man.One reason which I feel that’s no.6,its that now a days customers are very cusses they just knew very well what is really best for them but in the case of shopping they go to the shop which give them discount and whom they well known so I think one reason is that they focus on the sale, not the relationship.Thanks for the pretty post and keep up post cont……….:)
Thanks for this post. I think networks joining will be helpful for keeping a releationship as long as possible.
I totally agree with you Andy. Here is an excellent list of some true facts about business. This article is awesome with some great example and all the
ten reasons are factual. Thanks a bunch for sharing such an interesting post with us. Keep blogging.
Most of the people want success in their business without any hard work but it is not possible. Some people are simply too narrow-minded so that’s why they cannot learn the methods of good work and failed in their field.
I think the main reason that some businesses/ people fail to be good at networking is that they make the first contact and do the whole business card thing, but they dont keep their new network “link” active. This means that they fail to talk to that new person after the first interaction.
I’ve never thought about networking like this before - I’ll make sure everyone I work with reads this before we go to networking events!
Great post.Well written .I think this post is very useful for those who are planning to start their online business.In any kind of business creating relationship with customer comes first.So you should careful about what the customer want & always try to give excellent customer service.So that your business will go ahead .
This article is awesome with some great example and all the ten reasons are factual. Its really a very useful post for the newbies. I think they will definitely found benefit from this post. Thanks for sharing such a great and informative post with us. Keep blogging.
I used to be joining in one of MLM company. The most problematic things to build networking is point #6 and #7.
I focused on achieving my target sales and not my relations to my customers and my downlines/ partners. And I don’t have time for them after work hours end. I just can’t arrange my schedule perfectly.
Your points are awesome. The Only thing that is still working in the Network Marketing Industry is “Providing Value to the Peoples Life First” and “Building Solid and Strong Relationship with your Team”
I also like the tip #9 which is connect to people on the web who have the same interest as you.
I think you summarize the Old School Model of MLM and you began to introduce the Online Network Marketing..
nice tip..
the best advise is : try and try until you succeed. BUT of course with THE rigHt strategY of networkingg and socialising with other people
“They don’t know what success will look like”, this is extremely important. If you cant visualize your success, you will not know when you have achieved success.
I think you summarize the Old School Model of MLM and you began to introduce the Online Network Marketing..
For my opinion, I think that the reason no.6 is very important ,I always follow this blog and it gives more knowledge to me,You are doing a great job
Networking is good if done properly which means not talking about yourself of your company for most of the time, show some interestt and actually listen to the person you have just met.
Melanie
In any work determination,perseverance and patience are needed to make it work. All of these are needed to be able to make a great networking.
I’ve been to networking events which have been spectacularly bad - and ones that are spectacularly good. I think the difference (assuming groups of equal size and connections) is when the attendees share these attitudes:
1. It’s win-win - you are not trying to outsmart anyone.
2. People are not upfront about exactly what they are looking for - it is so easy to put your heads together with someone when you each declare exactly what it is you are looking for.
3. You really do try and do your best to offer advice and hard contacts to other people.
Malcolm Evans
Wish we had looked into this a while ago. Our company is going under.
social networks helps very much to companies for finding new customers.
This is a great article, which can be used in online marketing as well as networking in person. I agree that number 6 is a big mistake most people make. Most people tend to focus on the sale and not on building relationships, which is a volatile part of any business. By following the advice in this article you should see a marked improvement in your business.
I think Tip #5 about not following up is very important. You spend time and money on the networking clubs- collect business cards - then put them in a drawer to be forgotten. Follow up is the key to building business and should be done immediately. Even if you just send a Nice to have met you postcard - people start to remember you and will refer you more often. Excellent tips you’ve presented.
The first point is so true. It seems that more and more people come to me asking how to monetize their networks. And they have forgotten the basics of brand building: Being Different and Being Relevant.
#1 - you must follow up
#2 - you must stay relevant
With out the above, your chances of success diminish
I think that generally, people go into networking with the wrong attitude - they go to sell, rather than to build relationships.
Profitable businesses are built on on-going, long-term relationships, not just on the first sale.
I have been networking for almost 10 years, and it is a great way to get business, once you establish relationships, but there is nothing worse than when someone makes a bee-line for you with their business card already in their hand.
Am I going to call you after the meeting? Unlikely.
Go with an attitude to help others, and you will find that networking will work much better for you.
I agree with point 6, where relationship is number 1 and sale number 2.
Guilty as charged. I still have a stack of business cards from my last conference–that I have not followed up on.