But how do you begin?

Joining a “networking group” can be an intimidating step, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some basics to get you started.

• Make time and do it. "Someday" and "later" have a way of never happening.
• Be prepared with something to say. Know what the big news story is, the key sports results, and have a positive or thoughtful comment.
• Be prepared to introduce yourself in 15-20 seconds. Without stumbling. This is usually called the "elevator speech." Make it interesting. If it's boring to say, it's boring to hear.
• Carry business cards and have them easily accessible…..
• ….But don't offer indiscriminately them at the beginning of a conversation! It's far better to chat for a while, to know someone about the person, and then to ask for his or her business card. What if, horror of horrors, they don't reciprocate and ask for yours? Not a problem. Send them one when you follow up after the event.
• When someone offers you a business card, look at it before you put it away. A card is our tangible persona. Notice it, accord it due respect, and then carefully put it away.
• Pay attention to the conversation. Don't be one of the "power networkers" always looking over the shoulder of your conversational companion, looking for someone more interesting.
• Listen. Really listen. When your companion is talking, that's your signal to listen to what they're saying, not to be composing your witty rejoinder. Listening is the antidote for nervousness, especially for introverts, because your entire focus is on the speaker – and his focus is on himself, too!
• Think about how you can help t
  Internet Presence - If You’d Like To Know A Little More About Me, Just Google Me
  The power of a personal Internet presence was the subject of a conversation I had with a colleague the other day. He was trying to understand what the value of a personal Internet presence was to a non-executive.I asked him if he saw value in other industry colleagues, peers, co-workers, subordinates, superiors, existing or prospective customers, media or trad
  d. Networking almost always requires the long-term approach.

  But how do you begin?

  Joining a “networking group” can be an intimidating step, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some basics to get you started.

  • Make time and do it. "Someday" and "later" have a way of never happening.
  • Be prepared with something to say. Know what the big news story is, the key sports results, and have a positive or thoughtful comment.
  • Be prepared to introduce yourself in 15-20 seconds. Without stumbling. This is usually called the "elevator speech." Make it interesting. If it's boring to say, it's boring to hear.
  • Carry business cards and have them easily accessible…..
  • ….But don't offer indiscriminately them at the beginning of a conversation! It's far better to chat for a while, to know someone about the person, and then to ask for his or her business card. What if, horror of horrors, they don't reciprocate and ask for yours? Not a problem. Send them one when you follow up after the event.
  • When someone offers you a business card, look at it before you put it away. A card is our tangible persona. Notice it, accord it due respect, and then carefully put it away.
  • Pay attention to the conversation. Don't be one of the "power networkers" always looking over the shoulder of your conversational companion, looking for someone more interesting.
  • Listen. Really listen. When your companion is talking, that's your signal to listen to what they're saying, not to be composing your witty rejoinder. Listening is the antidote for nervousness, especially for introverts, because your entire focus is on the speaker – and his focus is on himself, too!
  • Think about how you can help
    Gaining Customer Trust
    As in every business, if you chose to work from home on line you must have in mind your customers trust. You need their trust because thus you will get them to come back over and over again and even maybe expand your network through potential partners. Here are a few ways through which you can gain your customers trust:Testimonials are probably one of the most
    comment.
  • Be prepared to introduce yourself in 15-20 seconds. Without stumbling. This is usually called the "elevator speech." Make it interesting. If it's boring to say, it's boring to hear.
  • Carry business cards and have them easily accessible…..
  • ….But don't offer indiscriminately them at the beginning of a conversation! It's far better to chat for a while, to know someone about the person, and then to ask for his or her business card. What if, horror of horrors, they don't reciprocate and ask for yours? Not a problem. Send them one when you follow up after the event.
  • When someone offers you a business card, look at it before you put it away. A card is our tangible persona. Notice it, accord it due respect, and then carefully put it away.
  • Pay attention to the conversation. Don't be one of the "power networkers" always looking over the shoulder of your conversational companion, looking for someone more interesting.
  • Listen. Really listen. When your companion is talking, that's your signal to listen to what they're saying, not to be composing your witty rejoinder. Listening is the antidote for nervousness, especially for introverts, because your entire focus is on the speaker – and his focus is on himself, too!
  • Think about how you can help
    Elements of a Successful Customer Newsletter - 6 - Headlines
    In a minute, I'm going to give you a way to write great headlines for your newsletter that is as easy as painting by numbers. But first...Several years ago, I worked as an editor on a daily newspaper. I didn't write the stories, but it was my job to make sure they all appeared on the page -- and that as many people were attracted to read them as possible.r his or her business card. What if, horror of horrors, they don't reciprocate and ask for yours? Not a problem. Send them one when you follow up after the event.
  • When someone offers you a business card, look at it before you put it away. A card is our tangible persona. Notice it, accord it due respect, and then carefully put it away.
  • Pay attention to the conversation. Don't be one of the "power networkers" always looking over the shoulder of your conversational companion, looking for someone more interesting.
  • Listen. Really listen. When your companion is talking, that's your signal to listen to what they're saying, not to be composing your witty rejoinder. Listening is the antidote for nervousness, especially for introverts, because your entire focus is on the speaker – and his focus is on himself, too!
  • Think about how you can help
    Air Freight Tax - What Are The Charges?
    In the United States the Airport and Airway Trust Fund are providing funds for capital improvements to the US airport and airway system and in order to fund the aviation trust fund taxes have been imposed on both commercial and non-commercial aviation. Below we are going to look at air freight tax and what exactly it is with reference to the United States.Ther
    ing over the shoulder of your conversational companion, looking for someone more interesting.
  • Listen. Really listen. When your companion is talking, that's your signal to listen to what they're saying, not to be composing your witty rejoinder. Listening is the antidote for nervousness, especially for introverts, because your entire focus is on the speaker – and his focus is on himself, too!
  • Think about how you can help the person you're talking with. Make a contact, offer a lead, or just ask how you might recognize a terrific potential client/customer for her.
  • Don't assume someone you're talking to can't help you. A conversation may not lead directly to business, but you have no idea who that person may know or where they'll end up next.
  • Set your intentions before you go (i.e., I will leave with 3 business cards of people I plan to contact again). And aim for quality over quantity.
  • Follow up afterward.

  If you use these tactics, your first networking meeting will be a successful and, perhaps, even an enjoyable event that will encourage you to keep coming back.