Halloween and Networking = Fun work!!!!

   So its Halloween season again and you think this is the time when only children get all the benefits by scoring mounds of candy.  If you think this, you are dreadfully wrong my diva friend!  Halloween is a great time to get involved with your children's, niece's, nephew's, or grandchild's school functions or extra curricular activities while they plan Halloween parties and haunted house adventures.  How do you benefit? Well you get to meet other women or even men who are interested in vesting time into the same things you are!  While decorating the school gymnasium or setting up candy booths you get to converse with others in a fun atmosphere.  Don't forget that sometimes you may get the added bonus of your business being listed as a sponsor if you donated candy or your time.

  You can also have a Halloween party of your own!  Invite friends and family and tell them to bring a friend.  It can be a Halloween themed cocktail party with some crafty hors d'oeuvres or a fun costume party, whatever makes you comfortable.  Fun takes away the awkwardness of planned networking event in a sometimes uptight atmosphere.  So take the time to make new friends and share a little about yourself at these Halloween events and soon you will find yourself in bigger network circles of people.

Nervous About Interacting With Strangers?

  Many women have a shyness or reluctant attitude when it comes to introducing theirselves at an networking event or party.  It is important to come to the event prepared mentally.  You may wonder what you have in common with the host, you may fear that you don't have a personality outgoing enough, or you may wonder how you'll muster up to have an intelligent conversation with the other event goers.  What ever your fear may be, leave it at the door.  We often fail to realize that most people have insecurities when it come to interacting with strangers.  Check your attitude and remember this when you want to take the lead.

• People enjoy talking about themselves. Ask them questions to get them started.
• People feel flattered when you show an interest in them and their work/organization. And they will reciprocate your demonstrations of sincere interest.

• You have more to offer others than you might think; just believe it.

Little Gifts Go a Long Way

Want to be memorable after meeting with a client or prospect recruit?  Leave a small gift! Yes, a gift nothing extravagant, it doesn't even have to cost more than a dollar.  I once had a friend bring me literature about her new business to my office, some people dread these types of meetings because it can be awkward going into someone else's space.  But she lightened up the atmosphere by bringing me a tiny adorable chinese-style takeout box full of trail mix, she even brought extras for the other ladies in my office.  I thought this gesture was thoughtful.  When I sat down and thought about this I realized all the vendors I had been working with usually brought a small token gift.  Whether it was a pen, highlighter, mini calendar, post it pad, candy, or even a nail file (all had their company's logo screen printed on), I had a reminder of their company somewhere in or on my desk.  A little goes a long way.

Sometimes when we want to expand our networks we must truly not expect our friends, family, clients, and prospects to give us what we want first.  We must be generous and thoughtful towards others and you soon will reap your rewards.

Top 6 Secrets of Networking Youtube video

Top 6 Secrets of Networking.

Check out this Youtube video with some great networking tips! The advice from Edith Weiner was a lightbulb for me!

Expanding Your Networking Circle

Many women have trouble expanding their networking circle of women.  Here are a few things to do to broaden your network.

1.  Add or email 25 people on you Facebook or Linkedin page.  (Remember out of site = out of mind)

2.  Make follow up calls daily to as many people as you can.  Going out of your way to call instead of waiting on your phone to ring will take you much further in your network marketing.

3.  Help one of your existing friends in their networking event or meeting and 9 out of 10 times she will be more than happy to help you when your comes up.  Another plus is meeting new people in other networking circles.

Tips for Successful Networking

Found a great article by Stephanie Speisman. "10 Tips for Successful  Business Networking". Here are some great pointers!

1.       Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.

2.       Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.

3.       Visit as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit two times before joining.

4.       Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you

5.       Ask open-ended questions in networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them.

6.       Become known as a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.

7.       Have a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom, and what makes your doing it special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others.

8.       Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, "How may I help you?" and no immediate answer comes to mind.

9.       Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow.

10.   Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together and share ideas.

How do you network with other divas?

The question is how do you network with other divas? Do you befriend others in order to network? Do you network to you friends that you already have?