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It’s a fact that most of the business that is conducted today is the direct result of network marketing efforts. Most people have to see a product or service advertisement seven times before they will buy, but are more likely to purchase much sooner if a friend, family member, colleague, or some person of influence refers them to that product or service.
The biggest issue for most small business owners that attempt networking is fear. They have the fear of public speaking and they have the fear of rejection, and these are the issues I want to address.
First lets address the fear of public speaking. This is not as difficult as you may think; it does take a little bit of practice and preparation. I have listed a few things you can do help you get over this.
· Be prepared – practice, practice, practice what you are going to say. Professional athletes practice the same drills and plays over and over again day in and day out; so that those actions become habit and can performed without thinking and can react to the situation. You have to do the same thing.
· If you are going to a networking event, make sure to have everything you need the night before, if not sooner, and make sure you get plenty of rest.
· Some may say on the way to a function, listen to your favorite type of music to help you relax. I personally do the opposite and listen to music that motivates me and gets me pumped up. Which ever works for you to put you in the zone!
Now you might ask, well how do you deal with the fear of rejection? Well that’s easy. Develop a rejection free 30sec or so advertisement for your business. Part of what lends to this fear is that you feel that you are trying to sell everyone in the room your product or service. This is the wrong attitude to have. Your goal when networking needs to be making contacts and how can you help them and how they can help you. Not selling them. Now if they need what you offer that’s great and it becomes a selling opportunity; but it is not your goal. Follow steps here in order to develop your own spiel.
1. Hello my name is (your name) and I’m with (your company name)
2. Now rather then saying what it is you do like I am a business consultant, or I am a landscaper. Create a 1-sentence statement of what you do, for example “I help small businesses to achieve their business goals and aspirations.”
3. Insert one maybe two important industry fact, for example if you’re a landscaper you may say there are over 50 different types environmental factors that can destroy a persons yard.” (Now I’m not a landscaper, and I’m shooting at the hip here. This is just an example of the type of thing I’m talking about.)
4. This is the last step and it is what makes it rejection free. Tell them who the perfect client is for you. Again if you were landscaper “the perfect client for me would be someone that wants to improve the look of their yard or is feed up with the upkeep of maintaining their yard. If you know anyone like that please refer them to me.” Do you see what this statement does? You are asking them in a very casual way if they know someone then let them know about you. Your not trying to sell them, if they are now interested in your product or service they will ask you.
5. Try to keep it to no more than 30 seconds.
Create your own advertisement and practice, practice, practice. Do this and you will be able to network like a pro!
Dexter P. Morgan II - Small Business Advisor
The biggest issue for most small business owners that attempt networking is fear. They have the fear of public speaking and they have the fear of rejection, and these are the issues I want to address.
First lets address the fear of public speaking. This is not as difficult as you may think; it does take a little bit of practice and preparation. I have listed a few things you can do help you get over this.
· Be prepared – practice, practice, practice what you are going to say. Professional athletes practice the same drills and plays over and over again day in and day out; so that those actions become habit and can performed without thinking and can react to the situation. You have to do the same thing.
· If you are going to a networking event, make sure to have everything you need the night before, if not sooner, and make sure you get plenty of rest.
· Some may say on the way to a function, listen to your favorite type of music to help you relax. I personally do the opposite and listen to music that motivates me and gets me pumped up. Which ever works for you to put you in the zone!
Now you might ask, well how do you deal with the fear of rejection? Well that’s easy. Develop a rejection free 30sec or so advertisement for your business. Part of what lends to this fear is that you feel that you are trying to sell everyone in the room your product or service. This is the wrong attitude to have. Your goal when networking needs to be making contacts and how can you help them and how they can help you. Not selling them. Now if they need what you offer that’s great and it becomes a selling opportunity; but it is not your goal. Follow steps here in order to develop your own spiel.
1. Hello my name is (your name) and I’m with (your company name)
2. Now rather then saying what it is you do like I am a business consultant, or I am a landscaper. Create a 1-sentence statement of what you do, for example “I help small businesses to achieve their business goals and aspirations.”
3. Insert one maybe two important industry fact, for example if you’re a landscaper you may say there are over 50 different types environmental factors that can destroy a persons yard.” (Now I’m not a landscaper, and I’m shooting at the hip here. This is just an example of the type of thing I’m talking about.)
4. This is the last step and it is what makes it rejection free. Tell them who the perfect client is for you. Again if you were landscaper “the perfect client for me would be someone that wants to improve the look of their yard or is feed up with the upkeep of maintaining their yard. If you know anyone like that please refer them to me.” Do you see what this statement does? You are asking them in a very casual way if they know someone then let them know about you. Your not trying to sell them, if they are now interested in your product or service they will ask you.
5. Try to keep it to no more than 30 seconds.
Create your own advertisement and practice, practice, practice. Do this and you will be able to network like a pro!
Dexter P. Morgan II - Small Business Advisor