Effective business networking is ultimately about building relationships. At the core of a successful relationship is Knowing, Trusting, and Liking.

Quality relationships can yield long term friends, business buddies and raving fans who will help build your business, so where do you start?

1. Be curious:

Ask great questions and listen, listen, listen. Be genuinely curious in who your customers are and what they do. People love to talk about their businesses, their interests and their successes. When we listen and stop planning what to say next, we get to know and understand, have better conversations and start to build better relationships. Networking starts with farming- the harvesting comes later!

2. Be abundant:

Be a giver, be willing to give more than you gain. Give advice, help, support, whenever you can, particularly in your areas of expertise. Having people talk about your abundance rather than you talking about yourself is the essence of building raving fans.

3. Speak at an event:

Public speaking can attract quality contacts much faster than one-to-one networking. It boosts credibility and trust through association with the hosts, whilst providing a platform to highlight your expertise. It is a great way of having hot prospects seek you out!

4. Follow-up:
If you have committed then act promptly. Don’t say “I’ll call you” unless you intend to do it promptly. Make notes on their business card and then act. Demonstrate your credibility and reliability- fulfill every commitment.

Bonus tip- Be upbeat and have fun!

By Keith Roberts

Chris Carman from ActionCOACH Business Coaching helps business owners in SE Wisconsin make more money, work less hours, and recruit, train, and retain high quality employees.  For solid business advice, please visit  www.actioncoach.com