Business professionals, students and entrepreneurs can use networking as an effective tool for sales, marketing, research and build a professional network. A part of networking is following up with potential clients, customers and colleagues and building relationships. The manner in which you present yourself and your company is crucial. Also, the way in which you communicate is very important and effects the relationships that you are trying to maintain.

After meeting someone at a networking event, it is important to follow up with that person and beginning building a premature relationship. You should take the time to learn as much as you can about your business counterpart and eventually conduct business for ongoing success. A good and direct way to follow up with your business counter part is to contact them via phone. Listed below are tips on connecting with others in an effective and timely manner.

Tip #1

When you decide to call your business counterpart, make sure that you are calling them within a reasonable hour. Keep in mind that people are busy and time is a very important asset. You should not schedule your phone call too early in the morning or too late in the afternoon/evening. Phone calls should generally be made after lunch time. Usually professionals are less busy and have more time to take and conduct business before the day is over.

Tip #2

If you call your business counterpart and he/she is not available always leave a message. In your message, you should be concise and speak clearly and slowly on the voice message. In the message, you should include your contact information and number so that your counter part can write down the message and reach you quickly. Also have an upbeat or cheerful tone and rehearse your message so that you refrain from making mistakes or repeating yourself.

Tip #3

Follow up the phone message with an email message. Many times, people can accidently delete a phone message or fail to receive it for various reasons. To avoid any confusion or delays, it is highly recommended that you send out a short email message informing your counterpart that you are trying to get in touch with them. It is a subtle way of follow up but it is not pushy or overbearing.

Chi Chi Okezie is owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Metro-Atlanta, GA. Newly published author of “SIMPLEnetworking: Creating Opportunities … The new form of success!” View excerpts of the book and polish your professional approach: http://www.snseminars.com

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Do you have the experience of being hanging around with the
wrong people? There is a strange feeling of known you are not
in the right place. Even if everything looks fine, you are not
satisfied enough. You are forced to go into activities you actually
dont want to just because your friends do.

What an uncomfortable feeling!!

Something that truly helps you to make your life simple, fun &
efficient is your peer group. You could create one or join one.
Before you join one you must answer some questions.

You cannot choose your family, and your options to chose your
friends from childhood are very limited. Thus, you can choose
your Peer Group.

Looking into the dictionary a peer group is a group of people
of approximately the same age, social status, and interests.
Some groups are socialized by peers rather than by their
families or conventional institutions. They define themselves as
a gang.

Well, forget about the gang. Concentrate on the same interest. I
must recognize it will be easier if they are of approximately
the same age and social status, but those are not mandatory. In
fact, new rules are broking those walls.

Here we will focus on three main questions you should consider
before to join or promote to a peer group. I will talk you about
other interesting aspects of peer groups in others articles.

Three Questions to choose your Peer Group:

What are your peer group goals?

The mean of a peer group is give and receive support, advice,
understanding, resources, etc. You want to be in the right
place.

The right peer group is going to demand you as well as give to
you.

Before to join a peer group you should consider if your goals
are lined up with the goals of the peer group.

What do you want from your peer group?

There are a great variety of peer groups. You will find them
under a huge variety of labels. Not all of them have the same
structure. Some have not formal structure at all.

Clarify your needs and wants before to look for one. Ask to
current and former members. Look for an outside point of view.

Do you look for support? Are you asking for advice? Do you try
to get references?

Be honest. You could lie even to yourself. But you dont want to
waste your time and resources. Soon or later, true will come
out.

What is the level of ACTION that your peer group is currently
having?

Is this group still alive? Or is just a name on a wall?

You are looking for an objective measure. Do you have access to
their program of the last six months?

What the annual program? What are the activities they are doing?

How are they supporting each other?

This could not be easy to find talking to non-structure peer
groups. Sometimes rules and program are not written. Thus, you
could ask for testimonials and reference in an informal way.

Dear reader, may be you are not conscious of the important of
the right peer group yet. I just wish you to be aware of this
matter before is too late to choose.

We will talk about how to create a peer group next time.

I wish you the best.

Fernando Manzano

(http://www.growandwin.com) is committed to improve
your life and your personal growth. Fernando is teaching to
hundreds how to take control over life and get financial
freedom. Now you can learn from the master. Author of several
articles about personal growth and how to make your life simple,
fun & efficient and the book What you should know going into a
Coaching Process, coming soon. He will put you on ACTION.
http://www.growandwin.com

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JV a Consulting Back-End With a Static Product Seller Lets say that you are a consultant specializing in doing creative real estate deals. You could find someone who sells a static book or course on the subject, then partner with them to offer your coaching or consulting services on the back-end for those that want to go beyond the book or course. You could offer your own course, seminars, coaching programs, whatever.

JV a Static Product With a Consulting Back-End And the opposite is also true. If you sell a static information product, why not seek out an expert on the subject that you can partner with and endorse for additional training for your customers. Everybody wins!

Tie Up the Rights to Real Estate I dont mean real estate in the traditional sense. I mean space. Using the chiropractor example, what if you opened a satellite office thats manned once or twice a week in a health club or health food store? You could put lots of things in those places. Acupuncture, Shiatsu, massage therapy, weight-loss clinics, exercise products, the list goes on.

Instead of an office, you could tie up the rights to a display space or an impulse buy counter near the register. How about a segment of the store, the rear section of a store, or the front corner where merchandise or services can be placed? Banks now put branches in grocery stores. So do flower shops. Sears put Allstate Insurance in their stores and created a billion dollar business. Designer shampoos have space in salons.

If you tie up the space first, then you can go out and find inventory that you will in essence consign to the space. Anywhere there is foot traffic is really fair game. Just be sure to find a product or service that is a match to the foot traffics preferences (i.e. the target market).

There are lots of one or two-person companies who manufacture their own jewelry, or candy, or cookies, or toys, or crafts. Maybe a local hotdog joint doesnt have cookies on their menu. Put them together and take a cut. How about craft supplies and raw materials at a craft show? A service in a hotel that perhaps that hotel doesnt offer? Maybe free wireless Internet access in exchange for their contact info. The nice thing is you dont have to put up any inventory.

Vacant lots are great to put in cars for sale. Or organize your own flea market or craft show. A haunted house around Halloween, sponsored by the local costume shop. A golfing goods tent that coincides with the timing of the US Open.

Ive mentioned some of these ideas already, but this example is about tying up the rights to space. Get the rights first, then looks for ways to fill it.

to be continued…

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What happens when you meet
a potential client at an event and you do not follow up?

So now the event is over and you have collected a number of business cards, taken notes on the best prospects, divided the cards into Y(es), N(o), and M(aybe), now what? It is time to follow up. The best follow-up is immediate - they will remember you best if you go home that night and enter their information into your database and send a personal email or hand-written note. E-mail is much faster and you will be surprised at the fast response you get. This gives you instant contact and you can then ask how they felt about a certain event. You are sure to get a response. This gives you an immediate relationship with the individual.

Fast response gives you an edge on the competition. You had a reason to follow up (the event) and then a further reason to set that all important appointment with the right individual. It may be that you have talked with this individual extensively at the meeting and now want to discuss your business relationship further. The ultimate goal of attending an event is to get to the next appointment with certain individuals you feel you would like to do business with. It is not rocket science that you will have a common goal in business, after all, that is the type of person you sought to be introduced to in the first place. You have a quasi-relationship in the fact that you were both at the same event and the fact that you followed-up promptly. Sometimes when talking to someone at an event, they may want to talk at a later time; then write it down and follow up.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite, She decided to find the best ways to get peoples attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the Networking Queen.

Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in June 2005. For more information visit http://BlueprintBooks.com

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Most people attend traditional business networking events to expand their networks. Traditional events include functions produced by people-focused organizations (such as for women and young professionals) as well as industry-focused groups (such as for marketing and software).

Though nothing is wrong with attending these events, its a good idea to expand your horizons by attending some non-traditional events. By attending these events, you are providing yourself with the opportunity to meet people in a new environment who you may not meet elsewhere.

Charity Events

Events produced by charities are a fun way to meet others in a more casual environment. Many of these events require business attire and the focus of these gatherings is usually to raise money for the sponsoring organization.

The format of charity events is usually very social in nature. Food is usually served. Many events have a live auction while others may have a live band. No matter the format, charity events are set up in a fun and relaxed environment. At the very least, you will get a chance to help a worthwhile cause.

Another great reason to attend charity events is that many successful business professionals frequent these events. Not only do these professionals donate money to these groups but many are involved on the boards of these organizations.

Choose a charity in which you would like to become actively involved. Offer to help the board with important tasks such as event planning, marketing, strategy and fund-raising.

By becoming involved, you will get to know the other board members who will be good individuals to add to your network. Nurture these relationships because these may be some of the most important ones in your network.

Make sure you have a genuine interest in the cause of the charity. Otherwise, your involvement will not be as meaningful. You want the other board members to have a positive impression of you especially because they could be a good source of professional references.

Workshops

Individuals or firms with a particular expertise usually produce workshops or seminars. These events are a great way to learn about a certain subject or improve on some of your skills.

Workshops can be structured as hands-on classes or a lecture-type format. Either way, they are set up more for educational purposes than for pure networking. Still, many workshops do leave some time for networking either before or after the educational component. Take this time to get to know the other people in the room.

Many workshops cater to a particular individual or industry so you will have a good idea of the kinds of people youre meeting. You will get the chance to meet a variety of individuals such as executives, entrepreneurs and service providers. At the same time, people of all different skill levels will be in attendance.

With workshops, you will not only educate yourself but also you will meet professionals in a unique learning environment. You will also be able to network with the speaker or company producing the workshop.

Cultural Events

Every city has its own cultural identity so you should already have a good idea of the museums, art galleries and various other attractions your area offers. Many of the museums and art galleries regularly put on wine and cheese parties to show off their exhibits.

These parties are a great chance to meet some of the other cultured professionals in your city. Similar to charity events, these gathering may be fund-raisers and are also very social and fun.

At the same time, you will have instant conversation starters with people by talking about the exhibits. During these conversations, you will get to see another side of people. At most traditional networking events, you generally do not talk about culture.

Just like charity events, many successful business professionals attend these events and have an active role on the museum or art gallery boards. If you have a general interest in helping out, talk with these individuals about getting involved.

If you do get involved, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with some very influential people in your city. Take these relationships and your involvement on the board very seriously.

Trade Shows

Many industries have large trade shows or conferences in which companies and service providers have a chance to display their products and services at tables or booths. In addition, many trade shows have educational seminars as part of the conference.

Whether youre an exhibitor or not, these events are a great place to meet other people in your industry. Take advantage of some of the educational seminars because you will be able to network with some of the attendees before and after the presentation.

At the same time, talk with some of the exhibitors about their companies and what they have to offer. Collect business cards so you can follow up with people who interest you. If you are an exhibitor, you should also collect business cards from people who you want to contact later.

A trade show is an easy way to meet people with similar interests.

Final Thought

In order to meet a variety of people, attend both traditional and non-traditional events. Be adventurous when choosing which non-traditional events to attend not only because you will have fun but also because you will get a chance to meet some interesting people.

Jason Jacobsohn is a seasoned networker who believes in relationship building as a key component to business success. He enjoys helping others succeed by making introductions, planning events, and sharing resources. In addition, Jacobsohn enthusiastically shares resources with his network through his e-mail newsletter, Network Your Way to Success, and http://www.jacobsohn.com, a comprehensive business and networking resources Web site. Further, he shares an additional perspective through his blog at http://www.networkinginsight.com

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Sometimes we get tired of networking with people. We hit a wall, so to speak. You feel stale and stuck whereby you dont know what to do. At this point you simply have to make one decision. Just take a break.

You have realize that by you taking a break and doing nothing, you actually will be able to recharge and come back more refreshed and productive. There are times that you simply need not be productive and take time from people.

In the business-networking world when you have attended many business functions and seen people over and over, you can simply get bored or burnt out. Sometimes you have a stretch of meeting bad networkers and may even feel that networking does not work for you. You will feel like not talking, emailing or just not attending functions you are used to attending. It is that this point you should check yourself and take a little break so you dont get bitter. It happens to all of us.

Take a cruise, fly away somewhere, just do something other than networking with people for business. You can give yourself sometime not to think about it, and just enough time to miss it. I am writing this chapter as I am going through these thoughts. These feelings I could not ignore, after attending over two hundred events over the past year or so.

Remember, people really dont want to meet a grumpy or burned out individual. So, check yourself if you are getting to that point and take sometime out. Clearly, things are getting fuzzy and you can use this time to get some perspective or clarity in your life. I usually find that at this point the break can only help me to come back better and more focused. New ideas can emerge from more brainstorming and self-improvement can develop from spending more time working on me.

Recently, I have met so many people who are unhappy while networking. At some point this can wear on you because you start to wonder if you are attracting people who are like you. After a short time, these people either disappear temporarily or you never see them again because they become bitter about everything.

Dont get yourself in a position that you cant see that more harm than good is achieved by not taking the break you may badly need. Many times people will not tell you how you come across because they dont care or dont know how to tell you. You may sound too crazy or disgruntled for them to get involved. Also, participate in some positive activity that encourages you on a regular basis. Hang around positive people as they may help to elevate you when you are feeling bitter or down. Dont take it personally if a friend is sharing with you how bitter or inappropriate you may sound at events. You are usually the last to find out and only good friends will share their feelings about your behavior. You could be losing a lot of opportunities and money and not even realize it.

Mike Owen is an author on business networking in South Florida. He teaches professionals how to network for business, and is currently finishing up his book on business networking. His lifelong passion is connecting people for business and otherwise. You can find Mike at http://www.jimmynetwork.com, email him to mike@jimmynetwork.com, and contact him at 954.274.6007.

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What has networking got to do with joint ventures? "PLENTY" is the short answer to this question.Networking is a very important element of joint venture marketing because the more you network, the more you meet potential partners and build relationships that lead to profitable joint ventures.Your network of business associates, vendors, family and...

Networking is often considered a valuable tool in the development of media careers. It isnt always attending flash dos where the champagne is following and everyone is everyone elses darling. Whilst there is an art to it, the most vital element is to be yourself. If youre putting on an act people with eventually find out.

Before you start have a short term goal, if you have medium to long term ones as well even better. The worst case is speaking to someone that could help you but have no idea what you hope to achieve. Think about who you know that might be able to help you or could put you in contact with someone that can. If they dont seem to be an option think about contacting companies directly (more on that later).

Do you know anyone that has done what youre aiming to do? How did they do it? Are any of them in a position to either help you achieve your goal or put you in touch with someone that can?

There are a few basic principles to networking that might seem like common sense but are worth pointing out:

Remember: People like to think theyre special. Remember peoples names, what they do, what they were up to (either professionally or socially) the last time you spoke (take notes after conversations if need be). If people think you care about them they will stick their neck out for you.

Be remembered: Be personable, be interested not only in expressing yourself but being excited about what they are all about. Its a two way conversation even though you might think you are just there to get something from them. Actively listen and be heard. Also..ask if they mind taking your business card/e-mail/phone number. They are under no obligation to, and a request will make you appear polite and professional.

Common ground: You might be a graduate looking for a job as a runner speaking to a high flying producer but that doesnt mean you have nothing in common. If you know a little bit about the people before making contact utilize that in discussion. If they are in a position to help you develop a career in radio production they more than likely listen to radio. Bring up something recent and relevant about the industry, a particular programme or technological advancement. If its relevant to them theyve more than likely been thinking about it and would enjoy a conversation on the topic.

Follow up but dont pester: People have bad memories. If someone has said theyll do something for you or put you in touch with someone dont assume they didnt actually want to. Get in touch again; theyve more than likely just forgotten!

Mutual benefits: Its important not to make people feel like theyre doing you a favour for nothing in return. If person A puts you in touch with person B remember to mention person A on meeting person B, give them a glowing appraisal. Do a bit of networking on their behalf. They are at this stage they are your only common ground. If anyone gives you contacts be sure to update them on how it went. This leads us to perhaps the most important networking tool of all

Thankyou! : People love gratitude. You can be so caught up in your own successes you might forget how they came about. By thanking people and detailing how theyve helped you and why youre enjoying your new experience they will remember you and more than likely want to help again in future.

Maintain contact: Even if you are no longer asking for favours maintain contact with people youve spoken to or that have helped you in the past. You never know when you might need to call on them again.

There are a few ways to contact people that are definitely more beneficial than others.

The best way is to meet in person, in a neutral environment. No one has the upper hand. They will be able to tell so much more about you and notice a genuine interest or motivation. Simply, if you have a contact ask if theyd mind meeting up for a coffee.

Dont discount the chance encounter. Put yourself in environments where good networking opportunities are likely to take place. Trade fares? Film festivals? Approach people with an interest in their product, company or production and use that as a lead in to what youre hoping to achieve.

Avoid cold calling. If someone is kind enough to give you someone elses details ask if they wouldnt mind informing them that youll be getting in touch. It means they can expect your call and it wont feel like theyve been ambushed.

Do a little research of your own before blindly sending out CVs or the same e-mail again and again. If you want to work in film and you know of a production company youd love to work for dont just call and ask for a job, or arrive un-announced with a CV. Do a little research on the company; find out who was the main creative force behind a project of theirs that you really like. Call the company and ask who is in charge of human resources. Write a letter to both people explaining why you thought that particular project was good. Then start looking at selling your self. Write a short sales brief of yourself. Wait to hear back. Follow it up. Then offer to send in your CV or even better come in for an informal chat.

Rift7: http://www.mymediacareer.com - A discussion forum for jobs and careers in media. Forums include general Media discussion, Film, TV, Radio, Interactive and Animation/Graphics. Includes Articles, Case Studies and industry resources

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Do you have the people skill needed to handle difficult people? Best selling author, Peter Urs Bender has come up with four basic personality types. Based on the fact that you really cant understand someone whos being difficult, until you can see the world through his or her eyes, here are the four basic types:

1. The Analytical person:

Give this person details, statistics and a stack of how-to books. This person wants exact numbers and answers. Usually introverted; in a problem situation dont try and plead an emotional case - stick to the facts and provide plenty of data to back it up!

2. The Driver:

My way or the highway might be this persons motto. They want to know what saves time and the fastest way to get results. Not overly emotional, this personality type is extraverted. Greatest fear? Losing control.

3. The Amiable person:

The question they want answered is why? This person doesnt like disagreements. An emotional type, the amiable person will give others support and attention. They enjoy building relationships and values the opinions of others. In a conflict situation the amiable person needs reassurance - and lots of it.

4. The Expressive:

The question they are likely to want answered is who? A pat on the back is a good thing to this person and they love social events. Another extravert, this type fears being rejected. The expressive shows emotion easily and readily and loves to inspire others.

So to use your people skill to work with different personalities, you dont necessarily want to use the golden rule. You want to do to others what THEY would like done to them. The only way to really know what that would entail is to really listen to that person.

It may take some time to establish the personality trait that seems to fit the person you are dealing with the most. Nevertheless, it will be time well spent.

Probably the hardest part comes next. You will want to adopt their ways. Lets say you are the Amiable type and want to develop your people skills with a certain Driver individual. If youve taken the time to really understand that the driver needs to feel that he or she is getting the problem resolved their way, youll have a better chance at reaching an agreement.

Keep in mind that this isnt a let people walk all over me people skill set. This is more about a shift in our own personality patterns towards someone elses.

Peter Urs Bender wants us to remember that there are no difficult people, only different ones. He goes on to guarantee that his approach, albeit needing enough courage to change, always pays off.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. Apply now because it is available only at: how to communicate

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Well there are some very cool things you can do with your name tag and one that has always worked for me when I did not know anyone is to simply write on it; “A New Friend” and let me tell you people would laugh and joke and want to meet me and that in itself would be enough to break the ice and engage in a laugh or too followed by some chit-chat and immediately leading into meaningful dialogue and communication.

If you are single you can write; “Available” and that would get everyone laughing, guys would say to me; “Well, hell that ought to work to get a date” or “What’s the matter you got the Online Dating Blues?” and the women would say; “OH, you are, are you?” or “So, how is it going so far?” Either way if you have fun with your name tags at these types of events you will make instant friends and take off the edge; believe me it works. Consider all this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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When attending social gatherings for networking purposes you must understand that you need to concentrate on why you are there. Are you there to do business and meet some worthy contacts or are you there to get a date and socialize about nothing in particular and the weather and gossip column in general? Ask yourself; why am I here?

When you are at a Chamber of Commerce Networking event or mixer you need to consider your goals. You wish to meet people who may buy your products or services or who have acquaintances that might, which they can refer to you. In trade you promise to try to do the same for whatever it is they are selling. This is relatively easy to do.

If you find yourself in a romantic or leading discussion with a worthy individual you really need to take their card and ask them if you can see them another night on a date and move on because business comes first or ditch your original mission and simply talk up a storm and get to know them. If this is the case you need to ask them if you are impeding their mission, if not go on. If so make another appointment to meet later on.

This is proper etiquette for business based social networking events and something you should consider if in fact you find yourself talking with someone you would really like to get to know better on a much more personal level. So, please consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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