What's the most effective way of networking?

How do you network effectively?

It is what you do after the network function which determines your effectiveness. How you follow up your new contacts is as crucial as the initial introduction.

I recommend you develop a simple contact system. The time frame for contacting is imperative. 72 hours is the magic formula. Any later and 90% of your impact and conversation with your new contact is lost.

My preference is sending a handwritten card. I choose one which relates to the conversation we had and I will revisit part of our conversation with a comment in the card. This has huge impact because in this age of email and instant communication, handwritten communication is a rarity.

Appeal to their sense of humour building on the existing rapport. Avoid pretty pink ‘nice' cards and go for visual impact. Image Gallery produce Shape cards which are eye-catching. If it is appropriate include a gift voucher, tickets to the movies or another couple of referrals in the card. These ‘gifts without hooks' are not an expense but an investment in your business.

Random acts of kindness also invest in these relationships. An unexpected gift injects a sense of value and appreciation and evokes a positive response. This attitude of generosity is supported by the law of reciprocity and you will reap ten fold that which you sow. Prosperity is born from abundant thinking and actions.

When you become truly focused on adding value to other people's businesses your business will explode.

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