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.
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
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
Ivan – I just came across your blog. Your thoughts on coming up with your networking strategy are spot on. – Bert
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
This blog answered some questions for me. There are so many networking events it is hard to choose unless you know your specific needs.
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.
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!
Being a part of the BNI community has taught me to be a strategic networker. Thank you for reminding us to be focused!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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
Ivan – I just came across your blog. Your thoughts on coming up with your networking strategy are spot on. – Bert
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
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
This blog answered some questions for me. There are so many networking events it is hard to choose unless you know your specific needs.
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
Ivan – I just came across your blog. Your thoughts on coming up with your networking strategy are spot on. – Bert
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
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
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.
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
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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great post as usual!
Amazing post. thanks for sharing with us.