The Power of Networking: How to Grow a Powerful Network That Gets Results

By Caro Landesman

Do dinosaurs wear tiaras? No of course not, but does business networking work? It sure does when you are given the right tools and strategies to work with. It's your attitude towards business networking that leads to success or failure.

• Do your hands become clammy and break out in a cold sweat at the very thought of networking?
• Do you shake with fear when you enter a room full of people you don't know?
• Do you hide the back row when attending a presentation or seminar?
• Do you disappear into a corner hoping you will find someone you know to talk to at a networking event?
• Do you fear rejection when trying to connect with new people?
• Are you one of those people who hide behind a computer and use email as your sole networking strategy?

If you do, then you are not alone.

 

If you want to land a new job, advance your career, generate leads, grow a business, or become an industry or thought leader, you must learn how to network like a pro.

 

Just because some people are comfortable talking to people they've never met (yes the extroverts out there) doesn't mean to say they are any good at networking. In fact, talking too much can be a deterrent to building a substantial network. An extrovert, introvert, or any other kind of something-vert, doesn't mean you can't succeed to build a powerful network that gets results.

 

The Power of Networking: How to Grow a Powerful Network That Gets Results, provides you with all the skills you need to become a master networker. In this book you will:

• Learn how to develop a networking strategy that is aligned with your networking goals.
• Learn the relevant places to network in person or online that will produce the best results.
• Discover how to power up your communication skills to break the ice and stay connected.
• Discover how to grow your 'Circle of Influence' and why this is key to your success.
• Learn how to set up and run your own networking event that instantly grows your influence.
• Discover the barriers holding you back and learn how to control your fear.
• Learn practical tips on how to effectively work the room during a networking event.
• Learn how to conduct a social networking strategy on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn that works.

When it comes to networking, many people place more emphasis on doing what's easy - not what works. This book teaches you strategies that work which takes commitment. Without commitment, nothing will work.

 

With a background in sales and marketing, business management, and training, the author knows what works in the real world. She also knows how uncomfortable it can be for some to attend a networking event or network with others online. Experienced in business development, sales training, business coaching, and experienced facilitator, Caro's helped many people master networking and communication skills with great success.

 

Whether you are looking for a new job, wanting to advance your career, generate leads, grow a business, or become known as an industry leader and influencer, this book is for you.

 

Regardless of whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or an experienced networker, the Power of Networking is packed full of strategies that will get you the results you want.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Caro Landesman
• Release date: May 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393039501

Book preview

The Power of Networking

How to Grow a Powerful Network That Gets Results

Copyright © 2020 Caro Landesman

All rights Reserved

No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without written permission of the author. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission from the publisher.

Published by Strategez for Success

Limits of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty

This book is strictly for informational and educational purposes only. The purpose of this book is to educate and inform. The author and/or publisher do not guarantee that anyone following these suggestions, techniques or strategies will become successful. The author and publisher shall not be liable for any misuse of the suggestions, techniques, strategies or any other material contained in this book.

The author and/or publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book.

Contents

Contents

Foreword

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: Why Network?

Chapter Three: The Benefits of Networking

Chapter Four: What Holds You Back?

Chapter Five: Networking vs. Advertising

Chapter Six: Learning to Network

Chapter Seven: Develop a Networking Strategy

Chapter Eight: Deciding Where to Network

Chapter Nine: Developing Your Communication Skills

Chapter Ten: Working the Room

Chapter Eleven: Keeping in Touch

Chapter Twelve: Networking Online

Chapter Thirteen: The Sales Process

Chapter Fourteen: In a Nutshell

About the Author

Foreword

If you want to land a new job, advance your career, generate leads, grow a business, or become an industry leader, you must learn how to network like a pro.

Some people are natural at networking. They know who to approach, what to say, when to say it and how to follow up. For most people, this is not the case. They break out in a cold sweat at the very thought of networking. The good news, like any new skill, you can learn to network like a pro.

Many publications place too much emphasis on what’s easy, not what works. They give advice like:

"Set up a profile on LinkedIn, 

Get active on social media,

Send out some emails

Go to a networking event.

Really, how helpful is this. Most of you already know this should be part of your strategy, what is missing is the how!

If you have struggled with the concept of networking, you are not alone. This book is designed to take the mystery out of networking. More importantly, it is jammed full of practical tips on how to set up a networking strategy that gets results. It highlights the benefits of networking and gives you the background as to ‘why’ most people clam up when meeting new people for the first time. It provides you with a process on how to identify the best places to network, how to communicate effectively with others and how to work the room with confidence. Finally, it goes through networking online and what your follow-up strategy should look like.

Follow these guidelines and you won’t know yourself in the future. You will have developed more self-confidence, self-efficacy and built a network of connections that will help you achieve all your goals and aspirations.

You would think business networking is all about identifying new prospects and making sales. It can be, it can also be about landing a new job, advancing your career, becoming a leader in your industry and being recognized as a global influencer. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

This book primarily focuses on networking as a skill set to generate quality leads, grow your business and expand your network of valuable connections.

Chapter One: Introduction

If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.

Networking has become a vital component of getting your name out there in the marketplace. Networking is all about making connections and receiving referrals, yet few people maximize the opportunity. Networking can open doors you never expect. For some, that opportunity is so clear; they miss it.

Growing a business and creating additional revenue through increased (profitable) sales is at the core of any business. Without generating adequate sales revenue, a business can’t survive because profitable sales are essential to covering basic overheads and giving the shareholders a return on their investment. Generating quality leads and converting them into paying customers is vital to the sustainability of a business.

Networking is only one component of an overarching marketing strategy and a powerful tool to have in your marketing arsenal. When you create strong connections with prospective customers through networks, it’s an effective low-cost option to generate leads and develop sales opportunities through introductions and referrals.

It’s the art of making connections and building enduring mutually beneficial relationships that are linked to your career, business, industry, region or special interests.

Some people are natural networkers while others struggle with the process. Those that struggle perceive themselves to be poor at networking and feel it’s about making small talk which it’s not.

Networking is a life skill which can be learned and not something that should be left to chance in the hope of being rewarded with new and quality connections.

Networking is particularly important if you are running a small or home-based business because it can also connect you with your peers. Let’s face it, working alone can be lonely, stressful and frustrating if you have no one to bounce ideas off.

Family and friends are not necessarily the most qualified people to offer advice even though their intentions are good. If you work alone or have few employees, networking can also help you brainstorm problems and opportunities in business without feeling isolated. The benefits can also help keep you motivated as you share ideas, challenges and successes.

If you are unhappy in your job or lost a job through no fault of your own, networking is a valid way to look for a new job. It’s estimated over 85% of open positions are filled through networking. If you are currently looking for work, it might be better to put your time into building your professional network rather than pouring through job listings online.

In a world where more and more unethical behavior and practices are revealed locally, nationally, and internationally, there is a growing need to do business with people you trust. The power of networking gives you an opportunity to meet the right people, build trust and expand your circle of influence.

Let me share a story with you about a friend of mine.

James was a salesperson who had to call on a prospect in a country town 84 miles from where he was based. He drove up early to make sure he would be on time for the appointment.

As he had time to spare, he wandered down the main street and came across this incredible pet store. Fascinated, he went inside and wandered around and saw that they also sold fish. This pet store had the biggest collection of fish he had ever seen. There were big fish, little fish, spiky fish, colored fish – you name it, they had it.

James went over to the owner of the store and got chatting with him and said You have the most amazing collection of fish I have ever seen. Tell me about them?

The owner gave James a rundown on the incredible array of fish in the store, what breeds they were and where they came from. The owner of the store then said to James, Did you notice that we have sharks here too?

Sure enough, when this was pointed out to James, he noticed that there were sharks in fish tanks.

When we acquire the baby sharks, they are all the same size. We decide how big we want them to grow. If we want a small shark, we put it in a small tank. If we want a medium size shark, we put the baby in a medium sized tank. If we want a large shark, we put it in a large sized tank. Although all the sharks are the same size when we put them in their tanks, they can’t outgrow the size of the tank they are in. The size of the tank restricts their growth.

I don’t know if this is true of sharks, but it’s certainly true of people. You decide the size of your fish tank commonly known as your comfort zone. You tend to operate your personal and professional life within the confines of your self-imposed shark tank or comfort zone.

Some people in business are quite happy to remain in a small, medium or large comfort zone however, the real opportunities in business lie outside your comfort zone. It’s by exploring the world outside your comfort zone, that offers the biggest opportunities for growth.

Next time you are at a business function or even a party, watch how people operate. They will introduce themselves only to the immediate people around them and only talk to people they know. They also tend to sit with people they know. Rarely do they step outside their comfort zone and deliberately go out of their way to meet new people.

It’s the same with networking. If you are not confident at networking, you will limit who you approach and speak to.  Subconsciously, you limit your network to the size of your comfort zone. The real opportunities exist outside your comfort zone.

The Circle