Three Essential Questions

How can a time-strapped businessperson figure out which networking events she should attend and which she should let go by the wayside? 

The answer: Develop a networking strategy.

Here are three easy–but definitely essential–questions you need to answer in order to create a plan that will work for you. 

Who Are My Best Prospects? 
It’s important to know that each target market will have a strategy that requires you to network in different places. If you’re not sure who your target market is, look at your list of past clients. What industries were they in? How long had they been in business? Were your clients even businesses to begin with, or have you worked mostly with consumers?

Once you’ve put together a profile of your past clients, ask people close to you for patterns you may have overlooked and get their input on who might be a good fit for your business.

Where Can I Meet My Best Prospects?
As you begin targeting specific niche markets, there are other venues and opportunities that fall outside the typical networking event.  Here are some examples of specific target markets and where you should network to find people in these markets:

Small-business owners–chamber of commerce, local business association, referral groups

Representatives from big corporations in your area–service clubs, nonprofit groups, volunteer work, homeowners associations

Consumers–your kids’ events: Little League, Boy Scouts and so forth

Whom, Exactly, Do I Want To Meet?
Even if you can’t name the people you want to meet, the better you can descibe them, the greater the chance you’ll get to meet your ideal contact.

Be as specific as possible when asking for a contact because it focuses the other person’s attention on details that are more likely to remind him of a specific person rather than if you asked, “Do you know anyone who needs my services?”

Networking works.  It’s just a matter of developing a strategy that puts you in contact with the right people. That’s exactly what the three questions above will help you do.

27 thoughts on “Three Essential Questions

  1. Ivan that makes a lot of sense. There are a myriad of opportunities to network so managing your time is essential. If you haven’t got a clear idea of your target you’re bound to spend more time than is necessary.
    Thanks

    – Dave Lalor

  2. Ivan – I just came across your blog. Your thoughts on coming up with your networking strategy are spot on. – Bert

  3. Powerful blog Ivan. Insightful and specific. These three questions outline the essence of developing our target markets. Thank you for this timely piece. It reminds me of your “Wind Sprints” story about sticking with the fundamentals.

    Bob Nicoll
    Remember the Ice

  4. This blog answered some questions for me. There are so many networking events it is hard to choose unless you know your specific needs.

  5. Thanks Ivan…I concur with you and i teach a similar approach for my clients in Cape Town. Great reinforcement andI love the CLEAR description part!

    Regards

    Karl from the 2010 FIFA World Cup host country: South Africa!

  6. Thanks Mr. Misner for reminder me that working smarter is essential in today’s short networking and marketing cycles. Your posting contains the treasure map to succeeding at any relationship building and marketing endeavor – specificity of a market niche. By segmenting and defining the perfect customer profile(s), I can develop a coherent communication and networking plan. I see how the strategy can increase my likelihood of connecting with the right people in the right place at the right time, by design. I will explore the rest of the webblog postings and the BNI website. I look forward to finding other gems to add to my treasure chest!

  7. Thanks Mr. Misner for reminder me that working smarter is essential in today’s short networking and marketing cycles. Your posting contains the treasure map to succeeding at any relationship building and marketing endeavor – specificity of a market niche. By segmenting and defining the perfect customer profile(s), I can develop a coherent communication and networking plan. I see how the strategy can increase my likelihood of connecting with the right people in the right place at the right time, by design. I will explore the rest of the webblog postings and the BNI website. I look forward to finding other gems to add to my treasure chest!

  8. This is some great advice as how to narrow down your prospecting market place. It is really important to focus in on who you are marketing to.

  9. Thanks Mr. Misner for reminder me that working smarter is essential in today’s short networking and marketing cycles. Your posting contains the treasure map to succeeding at any relationship building and marketing endeavor – specificity of a market niche. By segmenting and defining the perfect customer profile(s), I can develop a coherent communication and networking plan. I see how the strategy can increase my likelihood of connecting with the right people in the right place at the right time, by design. I will explore the rest of the webblog postings and the BNI website. I look forward to finding other gems to add to my treasure chest!

  10. Powerful blog Ivan. Insightful and specific. These three questions outline the essence of developing our target markets. Thank you for this timely piece. It reminds me of your “Wind Sprints” story about sticking with the fundamentals.

    Bob Nicoll
    Remember the Ice

  11. Ivan – I just came across your blog. Your thoughts on coming up with your networking strategy are spot on. – Bert

  12. Thanks Ivan…just in time! My head is spinning from all the meetups, tweetups, 3-day events, etc. These are great tips because I am having to make lots of decisions on what to attend!

    – Mirna Bard

  13. Powerful blog Ivan. Insightful and specific. These three questions outline the essence of developing our target markets. Thank you for this timely piece. It reminds me of your “Wind Sprints” story about sticking with the fundamentals.

    Bob Nicoll
    Remember the Ice

  14. Powerful blog Ivan. Insightful and specific. These three questions outline the essence of developing our target markets. Thank you for this timely piece. It reminds me of your “Wind Sprints” story about sticking with the fundamentals.

    Bob Nicoll
    Remember the Ice

  15. Ivan – I just came across your blog. Your thoughts on coming up with your networking strategy are spot on. – Bert

  16. Powerful blog Ivan. Insightful and specific. These three questions outline the essence of developing our target markets. Thank you for this timely piece. It reminds me of your “Wind Sprints” story about sticking with the fundamentals.

    Bob Nicoll
    Remember the Ice

  17. Powerful blog Ivan. Insightful and specific. These three questions outline the essence of developing our target markets. Thank you for this timely piece. It reminds me of your “Wind Sprints” story about sticking with the fundamentals.

    Bob Nicoll
    Remember the Ice

  18. Powerful blog Ivan. Insightful and specific. These three questions outline the essence of developing our target markets. Thank you for this timely piece. It reminds me of your “Wind Sprints” story about sticking with the fundamentals.

  19. Powerful blog Ivan. Insightful and specific. These three questions outline the essence of developing our target markets. Thank you for this timely piece. It reminds me of your “Wind Sprints” story about sticking with the fundamentals.

    Bob Nicoll
    Remember the Ice

  20. This blog answered some questions for me. There are so many networking events it is hard to choose unless you know your specific needs.

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