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"Networking PLUS Relationships Give Network PLUS the Edge"

"Dear friend, if you are looking to grow your business with referrals in a positive and supportive environment, then look no further than Network PLUS. I recently joined Network PLUS after being frustrated with other networking organizations that forced you to bring referrals each week and making you feel terrible if you didn't. If you showed up to a meeting late, you were penalized. Being a mom with a new business, that just wasn't the kind of environment that was working for me. My life and schedule were a bit unpredictable. Each meeting I was getting asked "Do you have a referral for me?" and unfortunately, I rarely did. I was looking to expand my client base and meet some great and talented people. I wanted to surround myself with people who inspired me. I wanted people to get to know me and what my business was about in the hopes that I could get a strong referral from them because they actually wanted to do business with me. I wasn't just some business card in their catalog or the only photographer in that group they were forced to do business with. Network PLUS has given me all of the above and more. The members truly want to serve you, meaning they are simply not there looking to see what you can do for them. They want to help connect you with folks that you can do business with. It is a supportive and encouraging environment where helping each other expand our businesses by using our talents is a priority. Being a part of this organization has completely changed the way I do business. I've realized that it isn't just about me. The simple act of giving is so much more fulfilling and in turn, the business comes naturally. If you are a business owner or anyone looking to grow your business and help and support other great people in their endeavors, then please give Network PLUS a whirl. The CEO, Ted Fattoross is an absolutely infectious speaker and so full of great information. I will have you at one of our meetings as my guest and you will meet some talented and amazing people. Our next meeting is coming up shortly. I hope you can make it! For more information, visit www.JoinNetworkPlus.com."

An unsolicited testimonial from Veronica L. Yankowski

http://www.veronicavision.com

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Three Insider Tips to Building Your Business Through Networking!

Yes, It Can Work Tremendously Well.

You mention the word "networking" (in terms of business building, not computers), you are bound to get any number of reactions from small business owners, sales representatives and marketers. The responses range from "networking has never worked for my business" to "I don't advertise any more because all of my business comes via networking." There are also responses that come in between, but for some reason, most responses tend to fall much closer to the extremes. Why is this? Why is it that networking works so well for some and not for others.

Well, here are the real answers finally revealed? It's not about being the most personable individual in the room. It's not about being the best public speaker or the best dressed professional. It's not about having a memory that can recall anyone's first name even you only met them once in passing (although a good memory will never hurt).

It's about the following three things.

A. Reverse Your Thinking: The Platinum Rule (That's right, not the Golden Rule).
Very simply put, most people don't really understand what you do. The Golden Rule taught us to treat others as you would want to be treated. Well, that works at one level. But better yet is the Platinum Rule: Speak to others as they would want to be spoken to. When it comes to communication, it's not about you; it's about who you are talking to. Think in their terms (literally in their words). What is it that they need to know to understand why you are different from your competition? What is it that is most important to them?

And, one last key question: what do they need to hear to know whether or not they can trust you enough to make referrals to you? Now, you can think about yourself. What process do you go through when deciding to refer business to someone else? If you continually seek first to understand your audience and what they need to hear, and then seek to be understood, then your brief presentation to others will be much more guided and effective.

B. Think Depth: It's Not About the People in the Room
Another common mistake in networking is trying to sell the people in the room-i.e. the other professionals who are networking. This may be the biggest reason people don't get the business they're looking for when networking. If you've used the phrase, "Networking doesn't work; everyone else there is just looking to sell their services and are not interested in buying." Well, OF COURSE!

What you really should be looking for when you are networking are the people who are the key connectors within their circles of influence. You want to get to know the individuals that are closely tied to the community you want to reach. These people are special individuals that know a lot of people and typically have a lot of influence. You want to build the types of relationships that will lead to your networking "partners" opening up their rolodexes, and not simply doing business with you. Don't sell them; build a relationship with them and find out how you can help them. Think in terms of many, not in terms of one sale at a time.

C. Genuinely Stand in Service to Others
I'm not saying be altruistic or become a philanthropist who always puts everyone else before themselves; but if you do go to networking events thinking only in terms of how you'll get business, then it's likely you won't be successful.

Networking is about building relationships-the same type of relationship building that small business owners do with their customers to foster a good reputation and word of mouth. Go with the intent of helping others to build their businesses. Go with the intent of opening doors for others. Whether new or experienced in networking, when you lead with helping others, you will simply be amazed at the number of doors that will be opened for you.

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