Top 10 Traits to Hone for Folsom, Sacramento Business Networking Mastery

Inspired by the famous David Letterman top 10 list, here are my favorite tips for business networking!

10)  Dedication to working your network with Folsom, Sacramento Business Networking

Business networking is not “net-standing”, “net-sitting”, “net-eating” … it’s net-working!  Manage your contacts and their relevant information in your database and e-mail list, carry referral contact information along with your own, set up meetings to get to know new contacts.  If you’re anything like me, I’m shy at first at gatherings and have to coach myself to muster up my courage and get out there and talk to people.  It helps to just ask questions, then you don’t have to talk about yourself and they like talking about themselves!

9)  Sincerity

Give your full attention to the person you’re interacting with. Make eye contact. Actively listen instead of planning what you will say next. Do not multitask on your phone. Be genuinely interested in them.  Ask them their favorite hobby or about their family.  Get to know them as a person, not a contact or lead.  I love the quote by Maya Angelou … “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

8)  Helpfulness

Helping others can be spontaneous or planned.  Every day you will come across opportunities to help others.  If you see a helpful article or video, send it to others who can use it.  Or get involved in charitable events for causes that are important to you. VolunteerMatch is a great website that will link you with programs looking for volunteers in your area.

7)  Gratitude

Cultivate gratitude by writing out a short list of five to ten things your grateful for each day. Express your gratitude with a hand written card, message, or special gifts that show you know what your client or referrer values and enjoys.  Thank others at every opportunity.

6)  Commitment to Networking 24/7

Start with local Folsom, Sacramento business networking.  With practice (and Zoom) you will be able to network anywhere, and you will be natural and at ease, conversationally asking about others and sharing opportunities. Networking isn’t limited to conferences and business events. It’s something that takes place in the various locations of your daily life– at your kid’s ballgame, in the grocery checkout line, at the doctor’s office… these are all common places you have opportunities to interact with others!

5)  Good Listening Skills

Listen for the needs and problems of others.  Focus on them and ask open ended questions.  Get to know their knowledge, skills and gifts.  Once you get to know someone a bit, with permission it’s OK to ask them what challenges them in their business or what keeps them up at night.  Coming from a place of caring and genuinely wanting to help others creates a long-lasting bond.

4)  Trustworthiness

When people refer you, they are putting their reputation on the line.  Trust is earned over time.  Be on time or early for appointments, meet deadlines, and exceed expectations. I like the philosophy and phrase “under-promise and over-deliver”.  One act that creates a loss of trust can negate many good acts…

3)  Enthusiasm/Motivation

Smile.  Enjoy what you do.  Rejoice in helping others.  Choose to be happy.   It really is a choice, sometimes we forget that.  Appreciate what is, let go of blame or resentment and do your best.

2)  Positive Attitude

A constant negative attitude can drive away people and referrals.  When you are positive, you are like a magnet attracting other positive people and ideal referrals.  A positive attitude is contagious! It supports determination, motivation, and success in both business and life.

1)  Timely Follow-up on Referrals

This is the number one trait of successful business networkers.  Your appointment-setting and close ratio will decrease 10 fold between 1 hour follow-up and 24 hour follow-up.  Also, if people give you referrals and you don’t follow up, they will eventually stop sending them to you (and you won’t get the business nor be able to help them).  By doing what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it, you build trust and credibility.

In conclusion…

All of these tips are NOT tactics for stalking prey for the immediate sale.

These are the 10 secrets to being a top-notch business networker, and they all involve proactive, long-term relationship building.

Speaking of long-term relationship building, it’s important to keep track of all these wonderful people you meet and continue to build a relationship with them.  I recommend systems like Aweber or Kartra to make it easy for you to stay in touch.

I hope you enjoyed this article and that you put these business networking tips to the test today. If you have questions or want more help with marketing for your business, feel free to reach out to Coach Jim at Jim@SummitBusinessMarketing.com or call (530) 426-8404 to make an appointment.  Summit Business Marketing provides business coaching services, business plans, marketing plans, website design, online marketing services and is a search engine optimization specialist. We serve clients all over the world, and of course love serving local businesses in the Sacramento Valley.

Jim Kaspari

Summit Business Marketing

Web Design . SEO . Marketing Consultation . Business Coaching Services

111 Natoma Street, Suite 111 Folsom, California CA 95630

phone (530) 426-8404

Jim@SummitBusinessMarketing.com

We have fun getting to know local entrepreneurs, enjoying Folsom Sacramento networking and serving Folsom, Granite Bay, El Dorado Hills, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova, Fair Oaks, Auburn, Sacramento and Roseville CA California areas.