I was just reading some of the feedback from the 90 Day Networking Event last week.

Thanks Robert Williams from Your Brand Unleashed for this one.  Comments like this make all the hard work worth while!

“I must say, this was by far, the best networking event I have been to in quite some time. It was conducted really well, had some great speakers, and have some really great time to connect with others and also bring benefit to others. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in B2B networking to attend and find out for yourself Brenda's difference in her approach to networking. Far better than the rest! Great job!” Robert Williams Your Brand Unleashed www.yourbrandunleashed.com.au 1300 MY BRAND

 But the one I want to talk about today is this one:

 “It was a great day but I could have got so much more out of it if I had been better prepared”

 One of the biggest mistakes I see people making in their networking is not being prepared.

 So here are my top five tips for being prepared for a networking event :
(and you won't find anything about perfect elevator pitches and lots of business cards....)

 1.  Leave your elevator pitch in the office.   No  one goes to a networking event to buy so why do so many people insist on introducing themselves with a sales pitch?

2.  Know exactly what it is you want to achieve: Your networking efforts should be directly linked to your business objectives.

3.  Know who you want to meet.  No I’m not talking about clients. Remember no-one goes to a networking event to buy!  Network to connect with the people who share your target market. The people with whom you can create alliances partnerships and referral networks.   Which leads on to #4.

4.  Be crystal clear on exactly who your target market is. And no they are NOT everyone!  Niche, niche, niche.

5.  Be prepared to give in order to receive. Have a set of questions prepared that will help you focus in on the important aspects of the other person’s business, who they help, how they help them, what they are looking for help with.  That way you will be able to easily identify useful connections for them and other ways that you can help and support them.

 Networking World provides networking training for small business owners and runs regular networking events where elevator pitches are strictly forbidden and the focus of each event is on creating WIN WIN outcomes for everyone. To receive regular event updates and networking tips go to www.networkingworld.net.au