Keeping in Touch
It’s not enough to simply meet people you have to nurture your contacts by keeping in touch, sharing information and giving without receiving. Networking is not about using people but about keeping them informed about things you find that may be of interest to them even if they are not relevant to you.
It can often be a good while before a contact gives something back, some contacts never give anything directly but they may be a great referrer of opportunities to you. If you are networking effectively you should potentially have generated a huge pile of business cards and masses of detail on the people you have met and would wish to retail contact with. To use this data effectively the details need to be recorded and kept up to date. The type of database you use depends entirely on the type of person you are and the way you network. You may wish to retain a small number of key contacts that meet your networking aspirations. On the other hand you may wish to retain contact with very many people all of whom may be valuable to you or you to them.
Exercise.
• Design a system that works for you to record the information you collect when networking this will enable you to cross refer people. This could be an excel spread sheet a rolodex or a desk-based card system whatever works for you.
• This is not just about finding clients, it is about helping people connect
• Use it! Keep it up to date; add detail when you have 1-1’s to ensure it is current.
• Allocate 15 mins per week to look at the data you have collected and see who you can connect. This can be done by sending an email saying “When we last spoke you said you were interested in …..I would like to connect you with…. I believe you could have something to offer each other ….let me know how you get on.
• Or if you get an email, see something in the news, read an article on line that could help a potential contact let them have it this keeps the relationship warm by giving a lot nicer that asking all the time!!
Networking works but it is not an overnight fix, to make the most of the opportunities you need to be aware of social and business etiquette.
